Tennessee Defense

Lawyers Association

Calendar of Events

Upcoming events

    • 27 Dec 2023
    • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Webinar
    Register

    The December and final NEXT GEN Training webinar of the year will be presented by Brad Fraser with Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC in Knoxville. This comprehensive presentation offers an explanation of pre-trial conferences, jury instructions, and jury verdict forms in civil cases. It begins by defining these terms and highlighting their importance. The webinar dives into pre-trial conferences, discussing the significance of T.R.C.P. 16.01 and covering topics like pending motions and special issues. It then explains jury instructions, including common Tennessee Pattern Instructions (TPI) and examples of basic and substantive law instructions. Finally, it explores jury verdict forms after voir dire and before trial, addressing standard forms for specific types of cases, and those with special issues such as employment cases and punitive damages. This presentation aims to provide a clear understanding of the pre-trial legal processes.

    This presentation will take place Wednesday December 27 at 2pm EST/ 1pm CST. Zoom link will be provided to registrants prior to webinar. TDLA will apply for one hour of General TN CLE. 

    ***

    NEXT GEN Defense Lawyer Training is a FREE TDLA webinar series of 9 short virtual CLE programs running over a 12 month period, with each webinar addressing a different aspect of the defense of a civil case, especially designed for TDLA young lawyers. A TDLA member will educate on the topic and end with an open group discussion.

    NEXT GEN Training webinars presented in 2023:

    December 2023: Pre-trial Conferences, Jury Instructions, Jury Verdict Form – Brad Fraser, Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan

    -- Past Next Gen Webinars --

    February 2023: Client Interview and Initial Case Analysis/ Assessment - Lynn Lawyer, Travelers

    March 2023: Drafting Answer, Motions to Dismiss, Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings – Tom Shumate, Meridian Law

    April 2023: Written Discovery (answering it and drafting it) – Kitty Boyte, Peterson White

    May 2023: Party Depositions – Steve Dix, Dix & Massey

    July 2023: Dispositive Motions – Hannah Lowe, Farmers Insurance

    August 2023: Experts (retaining, deposing, defending depositions, etc.) – Scott Rhodes, White & Rhodes

    October 2023: Motions in Limine and pre-trial evidentiary issues – Dawn Carson, Hickman, Goza & Spragins

    November 2023: Mediation Strategy: Evaluation of Cases for Settlement/ Mediation/ Settlement Tips and Tactics for Negotiation – Tommy Santel, Parkerson, Santel & Garner


    • 26 Jan 2024
    • 9:00 AM
    • 27 Jan 2024
    • 5:00 PM
    • Nashville, TN
    Register

    Young Lawyers: Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to refine your litigation skills! Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association Trial School will give young lawyers the opportunity to learn from an outstanding faculty consisting of seasoned TDLA members with significant trial experience. The Trial School is set for January 26-27, 2024 in Nashville.

    ~ TDLA Trial School Testimonials ~

    "The TDLA Trial School was a great experience. The ability to work through a mock trial and gain real world advice and practice tips from judges, lawyers, and other professionals in the legal field is invaluable."

    "TDLA Trial School gave me an opportunity to practice examining witnesses and my public speaking skills. It was great to simulate a trial and understand the preparation needed for real life trials. Feedback was constructive, and I look forward to implementing the feedback into my every day practice."

    "Great experience, especially for brand new attorneys looking to explore trial advocacy."

    "This was an excellent experience, which helped me grow as a lawyer, advocate, and storyteller."

    "TDLA Trial School was an amazing experience for a young lawyer and allowed me to gain additional experience and confidence in the courtroom!"


    The TDLA Trial School will include classroom instruction as well as an opportunity for participants to conduct a trial from a NITA problem, including voir dire, opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, introducing exhibits (including use of technology in the courtroom), and closing arguments.

    Prior to the Trial School, participants will be assigned a mentor and attend a "pre-trial conference" approximately two weeks prior to the school.

    The Trial School will take place at the Doubletree downtown and the Davidson County Courthouse.

    Participants will receive feedback regarding their trial presentations from judges and coaches and will get actual jury verdicts at the end of their trials.

    Registration Fee will be $495/ pp. **LIMITED to twelve (12) Participants.**


    Agenda

    Friday January 26 - Class
    Doubletree Downtown Nashville

    9:30am Registration
    9:45am-11am How to Act in Court and Voir Dire
    11:00-noon Opening Statements/ Direct Examination
    12:00-1pm Lunch
    1:00-2:00pm Cross Examinations
    2:00- 3:00pm Closing Argument

    Afternoon- meet with your assigned group

    6pm - Dinner with participants, mentors and Judges will be invited.

    Saturday January 27 - Trials
    Davidson County Courthouse

    7:30am-8:00am Continental Breakfast at courthouse
    8:00-8:30am Courtroom set up/ Pre-trial Conference
    8:30am-9:00am Jury Reports/ Voir Dire
    9:00am-9:30am Opening Statements
    9:30-9:45am BREAK
    9:45am-noon Plaintiff first, second and third witnesses
    12:00-1:00pm LUNCH
    1:00pm-3:15 Defense first, second and third witnesses
    3:15-3:30pm BREAK
    3:30pm-3:45pm Closing arguments
    3:45-4:15pm Jury deliberations, participant discussions, out of jury presence, etc.
    4:30pm Verdict/ Adjourn


    Hotel: 

    DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton Downtown Nashville
    315 4th Ave, North
    Nashville, TN 37219

    Room rate is $219/ night. 

    Room Block Cutoff deadline is January 4, 2024.

    Hotel Reservation line: 1-800-222-8733 and Group code is 903 if you call to make your reservation.

    Hotel Reservation Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/bnadudt-903-21781ece-93f6-4210-8aac-a5c03ea4529e/

    • 29 Feb 2024
    • 12:00 PM
    • 01 Mar 2024
    • 12:00 PM
    • The Hutton Hotel, Nashville, TN

    Women litigators in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are teaming up again to support, educate and advance women civil defense litigators at the 3rd Annual Southeastern Women Litigators Conference (SEWL) from February 29 – March 1 in Nashville, TN.

    Check back often.  More details coming soon!



    • 13 Jun 2024
    • 16 Jun 2024
    • Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, AL

    Join us at the beach for networking and CLE on June 13-16, 2024 for the TDLA/ ADLA Joint Summer Conference at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL!

    Check back often for updates.


    • 09 Oct 2024
    • 11 Oct 2024
    • Hilton Downtown, Lexington, KY

    Join us in the fall of 2024 for a Joint Annual Meeting with Kentucky Defense Counsel at the Hilton Lexington Downtown on October 9 - 11, 2024. We are working on a fantastic  CLE program and fun activities including Keeneland horse racing and bourbon tastings.

    Check back often for updates!

    Hotel Information:

    Hilton Downtown Lexington
    369 W Vine Street
    Lexington, KY 40507

    Room block rates start at $189/ night. Book by September 16, 2024.

    Hotel Reservations may be made by clicking here.

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