On Demand
Audio
Preparing and Conducting Cross-Examinations in Federal Court
Produced on September 13, 2018
Course Information
Course Description
Cross-examination is a critically important weapon in the trial lawyers’ arsenal, designed to expose truths and inconsistencies in the direct testimony of a witness, or to otherwise further the cross-examiner’s position. The ability to conduct powerful cross-examinations is often the difference between acquittal and conviction.
Experienced federal trial attorney and trial advocacy teacher Joseph A. Bondy discusses the elements of effective cross-examination, including preparing, structuring and sequencing, and the “Chapter Method” of examination, with reference to actual transcripts of Mr. Bondy’s cross-examinations. This course is relevant for practitioners at all levels of experience.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop skills to prepare to conduct an effective cross-examination, including setting the examination objective(s), and gathering of relevant materials
- Organize a witness cross-examination into discrete chapters, and to sequence the examination for maximum effect
- Properly form leading questions and overcome common objections at hearings or trial
- Hone the skill of conducting impeachment of a witness based upon a prior inconsistent statement
- Make the opponent’s witnesses your own
- Study relevant examples and applications of all of the above skills in practice
Credit Information
Faculty
Joseph Bondy
Law Office of Joseph A. Bondy
Joseph A. Bondy is a criminal defense attorney in private practice in Manhattan. A native New Yorker, Mr. Bondy is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, Columbia University, and Brooklyn Law School. He is admitted to practice law in New York State, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York, the District of Colorado, and the District of Connecticut, the United States Courts of Appeal for the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Circuits, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Bondy has represented literally hundreds of individuals at all stages of criminal litigation. His dedicated courtroom advocacy and written work have won numerous clients dismissals, acquittals, reduced sentences, and appellate reversals.
Mr. Bondy is a life member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and a life member of the legal committee for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). The American Trial Lawyers College rates Mr. Bondy as one of the top 100 criminal trial attorneys in the United States. Mr. Bondy lectures on a variety of federal criminal law topics at various community, bar association and legal programs throughout the country. Mr. Bondy currently serves on the faculty of Cardozo Law School’s Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP).
Mr. Bondy has been honored to serve as private counsel of choice to over one thousand criminally accused individuals, from all walks of life.
Reviews
Great job!
He was a good presenter. I appreciated the real world examples.
Extremely informative . A true subject matter expert.
Excellent
This program was very helpful. I am a civil trial lawyer and I found Attorney Bondy's presentation to be very worthwhile for my purposes.
Excellent presentation and materials
Really enjoyed how he outlined everything clearly.
Excellent overview of cross from a smooth pro!
Good
competent job
Great practical presentation.
Very smooth presentation.