This course is designed to assist trial and appellate counsel in determining when and how to make sufficient objections to preserve error for appeal. The course will cover every phase of the trial, beginning with pleadings and ending with post-trial motions. The course will primarily be taught by judges from Florida’s District Courts of Appeal, who will provide practitioners with unique insights into common preservation pitfalls and traps for the unwary.

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Late Registration

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks

9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Working with Appellate Lawyers at the Trial Level
John G. Crabtree, Crabtree & Associates, P.A., Key Biscayne
Donald T. Norton, Cohen & Cohen, Hollywood

10.00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Pleadings, Discovery, Pre-trial Motions and Interlocutory Review
Bryan S. Gowdy, Mills Creed & Gowdy, P.A., Jacksonville

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Jury Selection
Chief Judge David A. Monaco, 5th District Court of Appeal, Daytona Beach

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Evidentiary Issues
Honorable Melanie G. May, 4th District Court of Appeal,
West Palm Beach

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch (included in registration)
Panel Discussion: A View From the Bench On Avoiding the Common Preservation Pitfalls
Moderated By: Bryan S. Gowdy, Mills Creed & Gowdy, P.A. Jacksonville
Chief Judge David A. Monaco, 5th District Court of Appeal,
Daytona Beach
Honorable Melanie G. May, 4th District Court of Appeal,
West Palm Beach
Honorable Edward C. LaRose, 2nd District Court of Appeal, Lakeland
Honorable Mark E. Polen, 4th District Court of Appeal,
West Palm Beach
Honorable Bradford L. Thomas, 1st District Court of Appeal, Tallahassee

1:20 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Ethical Issues in Trial Practice
Honorable Edward C. LaRose, 2nd District Court of Appeal, Lakeland

2:10 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Closing Arguments
Honorable Mark E. Polen, 4th District Court of Appeal,
West Palm Beach

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Jury Instructions, Verdict Forms, Jury Questions and Conduct, Jury Verdicts
Honorable C. Alan Lawson, 5th District Court of Appeal, Daytona Beach

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Motions for Directed Verdict and for Judgment in Accordance with Motion for Directed Verdict and Post-trial Motions
Honorable Bradford L. Thomas, 1st District Court of Appeal, Tallahassee


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