2024 Webinar: Are We Drinking the Kool-Aid? Checking Yourself with a Mock Trial

The Transportation Practice Group hosted a complimentary webinar on December 9, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time titled, “Are We Drinking the Kool-Aid? Checking Yourself with a Mock Trial.” CLE credit can be acquired in most states for this webinar.

Click HERE to view the webinar recording.

Webinar Materials: 

• Webinar Agenda
• Webinar PowerPoint

About the Webinar:

Working on a case over a long period of time can result in a loss of objectivity, and a mock trial can provide the reality check the participants need. But they provide tons of other critical information beyond an outside view of the case. Join the panel to discuss the utility of mock trials and other evaluation tools. The panel will cover theory testing, witness evaluation, evidence selection and refinement, case evaluation and more.

Panelists:

JANELLE KILIES is a partner with Lewis Wagner, LLP, the ALFA International member firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. Janelle is an attorney in the employment and complex litigation groups and concentrates her practice in the defense of employment-related claims, including employment discrimination, wage disputes, wrongful termination, employment agreement disputes, unfair labor practices and civil rights claims. She also provides proactive prevention counseling on employment issues, including drafting employment policies and practices, navigating employee discipline and termination, as well as providing advice related to the coronavirus. Janelle also has extensive experience in litigating mass torts and consumer class actions in the areas of product liability, consumer fraud, false advertising and deceptive marketing claims around the country in both state and federal courts. She has experience representing clients in investigations and enforcement proceedings involving various governmental agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission. Since joining the Firm in 2012, Janelle has been instrumental in preparing and presenting several mock trials and innovative focus group presentations in complex cases. In the mass tort context, she helped design, develop and maintain a sophisticated online platform for the efficient exchange of discovery information, the prompt evaluation of thousands of cases and the creation of a meaningful settlement matrix. Clients appreciate Janelle for her insight, client service and practical approach to problem-solving, and her creative use of technology combined with outside-the-box thinking.

CHARLES KRAFT is a shareholder and director of Butt Thornton & Baehr PC, the ALFA International member firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Charles’ practice generally encompasses the areas of trucking and transportation, catastrophic personal injury/wrongful death matters, product defect/liability, professional malpractice and regulatory/licensure matters. Charles is a member of ALFAI’s Future Leaders Practice Group and is on the Steering Committee for ALFAI’s Transportation Practice Group.

Transportation Practice Group Webinar Committee Chairs:

BROOKE CHURCHMAN is a member of Hall & Evans, LLC, the ALFA International member firm in Denver, Colorado. Brooke’s practice focuses on defending personal injury matters, including commercial transportation litigation, auto claims, premises claims and employment matters. Brooke also represents niche businesses that operate app-based technology and marketplace platforms in the gig economy. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in Zoology and earned her J.D. Before entering private practice, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Raymond Moore in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and as assistant general counsel with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Brooke was named by 5280 Magazine as a top lawyer in Transportation and has been (and is) selected for inclusion in Colorado’s “Rising Stars.” Brooke is a member of ALFAI’s Future Leaders Forum, Transportation, Gig Economy and Hospitality & Retail Practice Groups.

JAY SKOLAUT is a member of Hinkle Law Firm LLC, the ALFA International member firm in Wichita, Kansas. Jay focuses on Civil Litigation and Transportation Law. While attending Creighton University School of Law, Jay earned the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Constitutional Law II and was a member of the advanced trial practice team. Jay participated in a constitutional law seminar taught by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Jay earned a certificate for completing an area of concentration in business, taxation and commercial transactions. Jay assists members of the Transportation Practice Group’s Critical Occurrence Response Team, responding to events involving the firm’s motor carrier/transportation industry clients. Prior to joining the firm, Jay served as a clerk for Union Pacific Railroad Company. He is involved in the Trucking Industry Defense Association and the trucking section of the Defense Research Institute (DRI). In support of the firm’s Insurance Defense Practice Group, Jay is involved in the full range of property and casualty matters, insurance coverage issues and critical occurrence investigations for fires, explosions and other large value losses.