• Home
  • About Me
  • Disclaimer

The Researching Paralegal

~ Articles and Research for Legal Professionals

The Researching Paralegal

Category Archives: Presentations

The Most Effective Use of PowerPoint.

25 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, PowerPoint, Presentations

≈ Comments Off on The Most Effective Use of PowerPoint.

Tags

Comedy Central, PowerPoint, Stephen Colbert, Teaching Community, The Colbert Report, The Word, Tom DeRosa

What Stephen Colbert Teaches Us About Effective Presentations, by Tom DeRosa, Teaching Community

http://tinyurl.com/p7cwwtw

Although Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report has run its course and is no longer on the air, I have always thought that “The Word” was the best use of PowerPoint I have ever seen. The PowerPoint slides did not provide the content of the presentation, which is common. Instead, as the punchline, each PowerPoint slide hit the mark. -CCE 

Great lessons for educators can be found in the most unlikely of places. One such example can be found on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, in a reoccurring segment called ‘The Word’. In ‘The Word,’ host Stephen Colbert uses one word or phrase as a jumping off point for his unique editorial commentary.

Now, some might dismiss ‘The Word’ on it’s face as partisan punditry. The truthiness, of course, is that ‘The Word’ is the best, most effective PowerPoint presentation ever broadcast. . . .

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Depo Prep – Is Less Really More?

29 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Exhibits, Graphics, Legal Technology, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques, Witness Preparation, Witnesses

≈ Comments Off on Depo Prep – Is Less Really More?

Tags

Graphics, Litigation, Sound Jury Blog, Thomas M. O’Toole Ph.D., Witness Preparation

Less is More When Preparing Witnesses for Deposition, by Thomas M. O’Toole, Ph.D., Sound Jury Blog

http://soundjuryconsulting.com/blog/2015/07/15/less-is-more-when-preparing-witnesses-for-deposition/

There is a popular 3M study that is often used to support the argument that attorneys should utilize more graphics in trial. The study found that audience members retained as little as 10% of the information three days later if the presentation was oral only; however, when presented the same information through both oral and visual presentation, the retention rate jumped to 65%. While this study is most often used to support the argument that presentations need a visual component, its implications can be applied to other areas of litigation. . . .

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Take Depositions To The Next Level With High Tech.

13 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Clouds, Discovery, Dropbox, iPad, Legal Technology, Presentations, Tablets, Video Deposition

≈ Comments Off on Take Depositions To The Next Level With High Tech.

Tags

Brian Focht, Deposition Exhibits, Depositions, iPad, Live Stream Video, Tablets, The Cyber Advocate, Video Depositions

4 High Tech Ways to Improve Your Depositions, by Brian Focht, The Cyber Advocate Blog

http://www.thecyberadvocate.com/2015/04/08/4-high-tech-ways-improve-depositions/

Last week I had the (good?) fortune to attend two depositions spanning three days in a construction defect case. We represent a fairly peripheral sub-contractor, so despite exceeding 20 total hours, I didn’t get the opportunity to ask a single question. However, we’re not so peripheral that I could completely space out.

Over the course of three days, which included the introduction of about 100 exhibits (I’m impressed at the plaintiff’s counsel’s restraint, except when you consider that many exhibits exceeded 250 pages each), I listened intently. Or as intently as possible.

Until the other part of my brain, the part that writes this blog, kicked in. I analyzed what I thought was an intelligent, if complicated, system put in place that uses Dropbox for sharing exhibits. But that was really it. No video, no digital exhibits, remote participants listening by phone. I couldn’t help but think that there had to be a better way than this. . . .

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s The Stuff That Makes The Best Presentations?

07 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, Presentations, SlideShare, Technology, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on What’s The Stuff That Makes The Best Presentations?

Tags

Presentation Software, Presentations, Scott Schwertly, SlideShare, Story Telling, The Official SlideShare Blog

Why Great Presentations Require Tension and Discovery, by Scott Schwertly, The Official SlideShare Blog

http://tinyurl.com/ppsk9o3

A few years ago, I read a great book by Walter Anderson called The Confidence Course: Seven Steps to Self-Fulfillment. For starters, it’s a great book on self-improvement, but it also offers some great tips and tricks on the topic of storytelling. One major takeaway is Anderson’s focus on the topic of applying tension and discovery when sharing stories. It’s a simple technique that applies a ton of value unlike some other complicated storytelling styles.

If you are fan of Hollywood or the work of individuals like the Robert McKee (famous for his Story Seminars), you are probably aware that there are dozens of different ways to share a story. For instance, you have classic styles like The Heroic Journey, The Underdog, and The Present/Future approach. But all can get a bit too stylistic and complicated in regards to a presentation. However, the style of tension and discovery is easy and it works almost every time.

Do you remember seeing Steven Speilberg’s classic Jaws? If so, do you remember the haunting sounds of the cello or seeing the creepy shark fin peeking above the water? Both leave you in suspense for 80% of the movie until finally the great white shark reveals itself in the end. It’s one amazing “A-ha” moment. That’s the power of tension and discovery.

Here’s another example: Borrowing from Hollywood again, do you remember the movie The Sixth Sense? If you have had the pleasure of seeing this movie, then you’ll remember the scene where Malcolm Crowe (played by Bruce Willis) is trying to reassure Cole. He comforts him by telling him a very short story. Here it is:

‘Once upon a time there was this person named Malcolm. He worked with children. He loved it. He loved it more than anything else. And then one night, he found out that he made a mistake with one of them. He couldn’t help that one. And he can’t stop thinking about it, he can’t forget. Ever since then, things have been different. He’s not the same person that he used to be. And his wife doesn’t like the person that he’s become. They barely speak anymore, they’re like strangers. And then one day Malcolm meets this wonderful little boy, a really cool little boy. Reminds him a lot of the other one. And Malcolm decides to try and help this new boy. ‘Cause he feels that if he can help this new boy, it would be like helping that other one too.’ You will notice that it starts with a moment of tension and ends with a moment of discovery. As brief as it is, you feel worry and then you feel hope. That is great storytelling and it will work for your next presentation.

These same emotions can be created with your next talk. That’s because the technique of tension and discovery does the following: . . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Eeek! Microsoft Office Kills Clip Art, But You Have Other Options.

21 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Presentations

≈ Comments Off on Eeek! Microsoft Office Kills Clip Art, But You Have Other Options.

Tags

Bing, Clip Art, Derek Walter, Microsoft, PCWorld, PowerPoint, Presentations

How To Find Images For Office Documents Now That Microsoft’s Killing Clip Art, by Derek Walter, PCWorld

http://tinyurl.com/kwku5tu

But Microsoft is sending its Office clip art to the digital beyond, where it shall rest in glory with Clippy, Zune, and the rest of the Redmond saints.

In other words, those wonky, yet charming images that graced countless PowerPoint presentations are in their last days. Microsoft already nixed the website where you could download Clip Art, so it may not be long before it disappears from Office entirely.

These guys won’t be around much longer.

So it’s time for a different plan. The good news is that Office already has better options for spicing up your files than relying on the dated and questionable-looking Clip Art. For example, Office’s integrated Bing Images search is solid, parsing the web for copyright-free images that you can use to bring some life to the staid world of business presentations.

That’s not the only available solution, however. Here’s a rundown of your best options for grabbing the clip art that’s still there—and learning some new strategies for better images. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Basic Evidence Presentation Tips For Young Lawyers.

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Admissibility, Authentication, Evidence, Exhibits, Legal Technology, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques, Video

≈ Comments Off on Basic Evidence Presentation Tips For Young Lawyers.

Tags

Evidence, Hon. E. Kenneth Wright Jr., Illinois State Bar Association™, Legal Technology, Trial Preparation, Trial Tips & Techniques, Young Lawyers

Letter To Young Lawyers—Basic Tips And Presentation Of Evidence, by Hon. E. Kenneth Wright Jr.,YLD News, Illinois State Bar Association™, Vol. 55, No. 1 (August 2010)

http://tinyurl.com/po9x3hc

Dear Attorney Jane Doe and Attorney John Doe:

As a young lawyer, you are in a place that I left some time ago. However, I have watched you step into jury courtrooms with a level of anticipation and excitement that is refreshing. While a few of you mask it well, I know there is also some anxiety lurking in the background. Don’t worry, because that anxiety strikes even the most seasoned litigators. Now I sit on the bench, and I sometimes wish I could call a time out during the trial to share with you some simple tips that will put you more at ease as you proceed with your case.

Being a member of the judiciary is an honor that comes with extraordinary powers and responsibilities. These powers do not include a coach’s ability to call for substitution of players, so in this note I want to briefly address some basic practical pointers to improve your overall practice as well as touch upon the specific issue of presentation of evidence to a jury. I hope by doing so I give you peace of mind and contribute, in a small way, to your growth as a fine attorney.

Basic Pointers

How quickly you acclimate yourself to courtroom practice depends in large part on you, your learning style, and how many opportunities you have to appear before the court. In the beginning, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of items you must remember, track and recall at a moment’s notice. In your haste, you may overlook a few very basic points that can actually help you. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Avoiding PowerPoint Suicide At Your Next Presentation.

10 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, PowerPoint, Presentations

≈ Comments Off on Avoiding PowerPoint Suicide At Your Next Presentation.

Tags

Ken Lopez, Legal Technology, PowerPoint, Presentations, TED Talks, The Litigation Consulting Report

12 Ways to Eliminate “But I Need Everything On That PowerPoint Slide,” by Ken Lopez, The Litigation Consulting Report

http://tinyurl.com/m5ozef8

Have you ever heard any of the following during a PowerPoint presentation?

  • ‘It may be hard to make out the details of this slide.’
  • ‘I’m not sure if you can read this in the back of the room.’
  • ‘In case you can’t read this, let me read it for you.’
  • ‘I know there is a lot on this slide, but bear with me.’
  • ‘Let me try to zoom in on this part of the slide [proceeds to fumble with remote]’

Of course you have heard these apologetic statements. If you are in the business world, you have probably heard them all. However, there is never an excuse to say these things whether in a boardroom or in a courtroom. As much as you may want everything you have to say about a key message on a single PowerPoint slide, as hard as it may be to imagine another way of doing things, I promise, you most definitely do not need everything (or even a lot) on one slide. And, you can still get your point across.

The number one video in my recent article The Top 14 TED Talks for Lawyers and Litigators 2014 as well as other articles I have written like 12 Reasons Bullet Points Are Bad and 7 Ways to Avoid Making Your PowerPoint Slides Your Handout describe methods for limiting the amount you put on your slide.

With all this said, it is important to remember that sometimes you just need everything on a slide. Sometimes it is an advantage. So, in this article, I want to offer twelve easy methods for eliminating PowerPoint slide clutter and focusing your audience’s attention on what matters – you and your message . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

10 Top Law-Related TED Videos.

20 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Bad Legal Writing, Computer Forensics, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Computer Virus, Copyright, Criminal Law, Cybersecurity, Digital Millenium Copyright Act, Discovery, Encryption, Evidence, Finance and Banking Law, Fraud, Google, Government, Identity Theft, Intellectual Property, Law Office Management, Legal Technology, Legal Writing, Legalese, Malware, Management, Patent Law, PC Computers, Plain Language, Presentations, Search Engines, Trial Tips and Techniques, Trojans, Video

≈ Comments Off on 10 Top Law-Related TED Videos.

Tags

Copyright, Crime, Eyewitness, Fashion Industry, Government, Internet, Legal Productivity Blog, Legalese, Patent Troll, Plain Language, TED, Tim Baran

Top 10 Legal TED Talks, by Tim Baran, Legal Productivity Blog

http://www.legalproductivity.com/op-ed/top-10-legal-ted-talks/

Have you heard of TED? It began in 1984 as a conference and now covers a wide range of topics in more than 100 languages.  Think of it as a massive brain trust that shares great ideas and information.

Each of the law-related TED talks listed in this article are worthwhile on their own: (1) four ways to fix a broken legal system; (2) eliminate legalese by using plain English; (3) how to beat a patent troll; (4) how the Internet will change government; (5) laws that choke creativity; (6) copyright law; (7) why eyewitnesses get it wrong; (8) how technology could make crime worse; (9) the Internet and anonymity online; and (10) how great leaders inspire. -CCE

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Lawyer Explains How TrialPad 4.0 Made Trial Presentation A Piece of Cake.

12 Saturday Jul 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Adobe Acrobat, Apple, Apps, Graphics, iPad, Legal Technology, Mac, Presentations, Technology, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Lawyer Explains How TrialPad 4.0 Made Trial Presentation A Piece of Cake.

Tags

Ian O’Flaherty, iPad, Lawyerist Blog, Todd Hendrickson, Trial Exhibits, Trial Presentation, Trial Tips & Techniques, TrialPad

TrialPad 4.0: Trial Presentation Made Easy, by Todd Hendrickson, Lawyerist Blog

http://lawyerist.com/74651/trialpad-trial-presentation/

I recently put TrialPad 4.0 through its paces during  a two-week trial — but not from the start. As in the past, I felt to overwhelmed to add figure out a new app to my trial prep to-do list.

So I started trial using Acrobat to display documents. I am very comfortable with Acrobat, and I knew I would not have to wonder about how to find a particular feature or function in the middle of trial.

After all, like most paperless lawyers, I use Acrobat on a daily basis. But by day two of what I knew would be a two-week trial, I was frustrated with the limitations of Acrobat, particularly the inability to do a call-out on the fly. This was hampering my ability to really emphasize key pieces of evidence.

A heavenly light should have descended.

I had a copy of TrialPad from Ian O’Flaherty, who developed it. Ian was kind enough to provide me with a code to download TrialPad at no cost. This is probably why I felt no need to use it, since I wasn’t invested in it. But now I had to get up and running overnight if I wanted to use something better than Acrobat during my trial. And I did get up and running overnight. I went back to my hotel room, loaded up the documents I knew I would be working with the next day, ran through the process of presenting and annotating, and then set back to prepare for the next day of trial.

With more than a little trepidation, I hooked my iPad up to my projector the next day at trial.

A heavenly light should have descended. I’m not kidding, TrialPad was nearly magical. To say that ease of use is built in is a vast understatement. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

PowerPoint Basics and Beyond for 2010, 2007, and 2003.

29 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, PowerPoint, Presentations

≈ Comments Off on PowerPoint Basics and Beyond for 2010, 2007, and 2003.

Tags

About.com, Legal Technology, PowerPoint, PowerPoint Guide, PowerPoint Presentation, Trial Tips & Techniques, Wendy Russell

PowerPoint for Beginners – How to Use PowerPoint, by Wendy Russell, About.com

Beginner’s Guide to PowerPoint 2010

http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpoint101/a/begin_guide.htm

The basics, beyond the basics, and tips and tools. Additional links, quick tips, presentation tips, and related articles. If you don’t have 2010, information for 2003 and 2007 PowerPoint is also included. -CCE

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

“How To” For PowerPoint Graphics.

14 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, PowerPoint, Presentations

≈ Comments Off on “How To” For PowerPoint Graphics.

Tags

Graphics, Ken Lopez, Legal Technology, PowerPoint, The Litigation Consulting Report, Trial Tips & Techniques

16 PowerPoint Litigation Graphics You Won’t Believe Are PowerPoint, by Ken Lopez, The Litigation Consulting Report

http://tinyurl.com/oosuacz

Litigators do not need to know how to create advanced PowerPoint litigation graphics. However, litigators do need to understand what a skilled artist is capable of producing using the program. Most will be surprised to learn what’s possible, and even veteran users of PowerPoint will think there’s an element of magic in some of the presentations shared in this article. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Nine Top Tips for Paralegals Preparing for Trial.

09 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Adobe Acrobat, Animations, Bates Numbers, Legal Technology, Paralegals/Legal Assistants, PowerPoint, Presentations, Trial Notebooks, Trial Tips and Techniques, Witness Preparation

≈ Comments Off on Nine Top Tips for Paralegals Preparing for Trial.

Tags

Courtroom Presentations, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Trial Preparation

9 Critical Steps for Trial Preparation, by David J. Dempsey, Paralegal Today Magazine (formerly Legal Assistant Today)

http://paralegaltoday.com/issue_archive/features/feature1_ja03.htm

I suspect that any paralegal with significant trial experience would have other things to add to this list. But it’s still good advice and a good start. -CCE

[P]aralegals play an indispensable role in the trial preparation process. It’s imperative that, in conjunction with the lead counsel, you design and adhere to a plan to make sure your energies — and those of the entire support team — are focused on the tasks that will contribute most to the success of the trial.

As the final phases of intense trial preparation approach, paralegals can wear many hats: coordinating schedules, monitoring deadlines, helping prepare witnesses and documents, organizing files and exhibits, preparing subpoenas and working with all members of the support team, including expert witnesses, outside vendors, and other legal assistants and attorneys involved in the trial.

Every trial attorney will use the talents of a paralegal in different ways. In my practice, I tend to rely heavily on paralegals and delegate a considerable amount of responsibility to them.

While the following guidelines will not work for every trial team, these are nine critical steps I believe paralegals can take to help make sure when the opening gavel falls at trial, your team is prepared to prevail. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Judges Share Tips With Attorneys About What They Like and What They Don’t.

24 Saturday May 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Animations, Closing Argument, Jury Selection, Legal Technology, Motion in Limine, Opening Argument, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Judges Share Tips With Attorneys About What They Like and What They Don’t.

Tags

Closing Argument, Cogent Legal Blog, Jury Questionnaires, Legal Technology, Morgan Smith, Motion in Limine, Opening Argument, Trips Tips & Techniques

5 Key Tips for Trial: Judges Tell Attorneys What They Do and Don’t Like In Court, by Morgan Smith, Cogent Legal Blog

http://cogentlegal.com/blog/2011/05/5-key-tips-for-trial/

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Using Trial Graphics For Powerful Court Presentations.

11 Sunday May 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Jury Persuasion, Legal Technology, Presentations, Technology, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Using Trial Graphics For Powerful Court Presentations.

Tags

Adam Bloomberg, Legal Technology, Litigation Insights Blog, Trial Graphics, Trial Presentations, Trial Tips & Techniques

Part IV – Trial Graphic Fundamentals: Guidelines for Trial, by  Adam Bloomberg, Managing Director -Visual Communications, Litigation Insights Blog

http://bit.ly/1juynu0

Please note that this is fourth in a series, and take a look at the three that come before it. -CCE

This blog is the fourth in a series that focuses on the fundamentals of trial graphics. Its content is based on a program Adam Bloomberg, Litigation Insights’ Managing Director for Visual Communications, co-presented with Bryant Spann, Partner at Thomas Combs & Spann PLLC, at the 2014 Midyear Meeting of the International Association of Defense Counsel in Carlsbad, California.

Graphics are powerful, because they have the ability to communicate more clearly and concisely than words. Depending on how that power is channeled, however, a graphic can either help or harm your case. The following tips for developing graphics can significantly improve them for use at trial. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Powerful PowerPoint Courtroom Presentations.

27 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Closing Argument, Experts, Jury Persuasion, Legal Technology, Opening Argument, PowerPoint, Presentations, Technology, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Powerful PowerPoint Courtroom Presentations.

Tags

Elliott Wilcox, PowerPoint, Presentations, Trial Tips & Techniques, trialtheater blog

Adding Power to Courtroom Presentations, posted by Elliott Wilcox, TrialTheater Blog

http://tinyurl.com/lddsa49

I ran across this blog today, and I like what I see. PowerPoint is a powerful tool. Like you, I have seen far too many poor presentations.

A good power PointPresentation is an art. It doesn’t just happen. If you have never bothered to find out whether there are guidelines or rules for a good PowerPoint presentation, then you may be guilty, regardless of how witty, entertaining, or persuasive you think you are.

Take some time to read all you can about what makes a good presentation. Do not read your slides. Instead, let them compliment what you say or let them be the “punchline” to your idea. Pay attention to font size. Resist the temptation to fade in, face out, and use dancing graphics that scamper across the screen in every slide.

This post from TrialTheater will tell you how.  Please also note that there are additional posts listed at the end that are also interesting. This is a blog I plan to watch more closely. –CCE

The lights dim, and the first slide appears. You think to yourself, “Oh no, another boring PowerPoint presentation.” The first line of text soars in from the left, each character twirling and dancing across the screen. You count eleven bullet points on the first screen (the shortest of which is sixteen words long). The second slide is even more confusing. The third is a picture of his kids. Fortunately, the room is dark, so no one notices as you start to fall asleep…

Why are most PowerPoint presentations so dreadful? When was the last time you saw a presentation that was actually enhanced by PowerPoint? The reason PowerPoint decimates the effectiveness of most presentations is because the presenters don’t understand how or why to use it. But, when you need to illustrate a point in the courtroom, PowerPoint can be a tremendous addition to your trial skills toolbox. This article will give you tips for improving your presentations, both inside and outside the courtroom. . . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Using Animation At Trial.

12 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Evidence, Exhibits, Jury Persuasion, Legal Technology, Litigation, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Using Animation At Trial.

Tags

Animation, Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm, Evidence, The Persasive Litigator, Trial Tips and Techniques

Animate: Give Your Jurors Three Dimensions, or More, by Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm, The Persasive Litigator

http://tinyurl.com/m75du78

[I]In trial, we know that demonstrative exhibits are often seen as playing a secondary role: second to evidence and second to the verbal explanation. The higher-end animations, however, are often an even more distant second (or third, or fourth) to exhibits that can be created more simply or more cheaply. Understanding that not all, or even most, cases will be able to afford or to merit the higher-end demonstrative animations, it is still worth it to pay attention to the state of the art and to think about how this technology can be brought to bear when it matters most. The good news is that creating sophisticated graphics is easier and cheaper than it has ever been before. Laptops now surpass what the best production workstations could have created in earlier times. A skilled computer animator can take an idea from design to execution in less time and expense than you might think. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

At Last! The Microsoft App For iPad, With Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

29 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Apple, Apps, Excel, Legal Technology, Mac, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Word

≈ Comments Off on At Last! The Microsoft App For iPad, With Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Tags

ABA TECHSHOW, App, Excel, iPad, iPhone J.D. Blog, Jeff Richardson, Microsoft, Microsoft Office Mobile, PowerPoint, Word

Microsoft releases Word (and Excel and PowerPoint) for iPad, by Jeff Richardson, iPhone J.D. Blog

http://tinyurl.com/l44cvjy

I’m at ABA TECHSHOW in Chicago right now, and the big news on Thursday was that Microsoft released a version of Word (and Excel, and PowerPoint) for the iPad.  I have been kicking the tires on this app since it was released Thursday afternoon, and I am incredibly impressed.  Unlike Microsoft Office Mobile for iPhone released last year, the new Word app for the iPad has virtually every feature that lawyers want to use.  Every attorney who uses an iPad will want to get this app. . . .

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Record a Video in Chrome With This Easy App.

23 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Apps, Chrome, Legal Technology, Presentations, Video

≈ Comments Off on Record a Video in Chrome With This Easy App.

Tags

Big Nerd Software, Chrome, Desktop Recording, Screencast-O-Matic, Screencastify, Screencasts, The Addictive Tips Blog, Videos, Waqas Ahmed, YouTube

Record A Video Of The Current Tab In Chrome With Screencastify, by Waqas Ahmed, The Addictive Tips Blog

http://tinyurl.com/o62jkwl

There are various screencast software, both free and paid, that allow users to record on-screen activity within a web browser. Screencast-O-Matic from Big Nerd Software, for instance, is a perfect example. The popular web-based app lets you create screencasts, add narration, and upload the output to Screencast-O-Matic or YouTube, or simply save it to your local drive for offline viewing. Recently, I stumbled upon Screencastify, a lightweight extension that offers similar functionality on Chrome, and found it worth sharing with our readers. The dead-simple tool enables recording screen activity within a Chrome tab or on the desktop. It also carries options for configuring screen resolution and frame rate.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Common Presentation Mistakes.

22 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, Presentations, Technology, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Common Presentation Mistakes.

Tags

Laura Bergells, Lectures, MANIACTIVE All About Presentation, Presentations, Public Speaking, Seminar Speakers, Speeches

OK, So Never Start A Sentence With These 10 Words . . ., by Laura Bergells, MANIACTIVE All About Presentation

http://maniactive.com/blog/ok-so-never-start-a-sentence-with-these-10-words/536

No offense, but I recently had to leave a lecture because the speaker began every other sentence with either ‘So…’ or ‘Alright, so…’

His information may have been spectacular, but after a half hour, I felt too distracted to listen anymore. When your audience starts playing a mental drinking game based on taking a sip every time you say “so” and downing the whole glass every time you begin a sentence with the word “so” — and they’re hammered in 5 minutes — you might want to face the problem.

Saying ’so’ is so over.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

How To Disable The Typing Animation Feature in Office 2013.

20 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Excel, Legal Technology, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Word

≈ Comments Off on How To Disable The Typing Animation Feature in Office 2013.

Tags

Abdullah Saqib, Addictive Tips Blog, Office 2013, Typing Animation Feature

Disable Typing Animation In All Office 2013 Applications [Tip], by Abdullah Saqib, Addictive Tips Blog

http://tinyurl.com/8thsnp7

Have you made the switch to Microsoft Office 2013? If you have, hopefully you are happy with all the changes that inevitably follow each new version. The Addictive Tips Blog is a useful tool, along with the always handy “F1,” if you find that things do not work in the way they did in older versions.

This post shows you how to disable the typing animation feature. It is not a permanent change to the software – you can get it back anytime you want it. -CCE

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Tips for Presentations at Trial.

22 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Tips for Presentations at Trial.

Tags

Legal Technology, Litigation Support, Michael Skrzypek, Presentations, The Trial War Room Handbook Blog, Trial, Websites

Preparing Websites for Litigation Databases, by  Michael Skrzypek, The Trial War Room Handbook Blog

http://www.thetrialwarroomhandbook.com/?p=916

This post provides several excellent suggestions for website presentation in court. Regardless of the method, the last paragraph gives great advice – always have an offline back up! -CCE

Related articles
  • Going to Trial – Not Boxes of Documents Anymore. (researchingparalegal.com)
  • Excellent Reasons To Use Synchronized Video Depositions. (researchingparalegal.com)

 

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Pinstriped – A New Presentations App for Mac With A Tutorial.

13 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, Mac, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Pinstriped – A New Presentations App for Mac With A Tutorial.

Tags

Apps, Cogent Legal Blog, JPEG, Mac, Morgan Smith, Pinstriped, Presentations, Trial Tips & Techniques

How to Make Your Case Presentation More Professional with Pinstriped, by Morgan Smith, Cogent Legal Blog

http://tinyurl.com/lwcuoaj

Morgan Smith explains how to use Pinstriped, this post also includes an one-minute tutorial on how to use it. If you love Mac and use presentations at trial, this is definitely worth a look. – CCE

I discovered a new app that has some exciting possibilities for use in trial or mediation, allowing attorneys to launch and deliver their presentations in a more professional manner.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Going to Trial – Not Boxes of Documents Anymore.

23 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, Pre-Trial, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Going to Trial – Not Boxes of Documents Anymore.

Tags

Databases, Michael Skzypek, Pre-Trial, The Trial War Room Handbook Blog, Trial, Trial Techniques

Pre-Trial and Presentation Databases – Assembling Your Materials, by Michael Skzypek, The Trial War Room Handbook Blog

 http://www.thetrialwarroomhandbook.com/?p=878

Back in the analog days, a parade of lawyers and paralegals would march into the courtroom right before a trial started, carrying dozens of bankers’ boxes filled with documents and other evidence. These days, attorneys in most medium-to-large cases digitize everything from contracts to deposition transcripts, photos, and video and organize them in databases. As such, a trial presentation technician walks into the courtroom carrying just a laptop – but one loaded with a database that contains the equivalent of hundreds of bankers’ boxes of material.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

What Do Stephen Colbert and Bill O’Reilly Have in Common?

05 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in PowerPoint, Presentations

≈ Comments Off on What Do Stephen Colbert and Bill O’Reilly Have in Common?

Tags

Bill O'Reilly, PowerPoint, Stephen Colbert

How to Use PowerPoint without Abusing Your Audience, by Gadi Ben-Yehuda, govloop Blog

http://www.perma.cc/0nD9UppAJ61

Colbert, O’Reilly Offer PowerPoint Examples, by Benjamin Tomkins, AllBusiness.com

http://www.perma.cc/0dY7ttschyW

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Easy to Avoid PowerPoint Mistakes

05 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by Celia C. Elwell, RP in Legal Technology, PowerPoint, Presentations, Trial Tips and Techniques

≈ Comments Off on Easy to Avoid PowerPoint Mistakes

Tags

PowerPoint, Trial Tips & Techniques

The 12 Worst PowerPoint Mistakes Litigators Make, by Ken Lopez, The Litigation Consulting Report

http://www.perma.cc/0zDFaj4DRK4

Share this:

  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts
Follow The Researching Paralegal on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search

Sign In/Register

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Categories

Archives

  • March 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013

Recent Comments

Eric Voigt on Top 20 Paralegal Blogs, Websit…
profvoigt on Research Guides in Focus – Mun…
Make Your PDF Docume… on Make Your PDF Document Edit-Pr…
madlaw291282999 on Using Hyperbole -Are You Riski…
How to Treat Bad Cli… on Why Do Bad Clients Deserve The…

Recent Comments

Eric Voigt on Top 20 Paralegal Blogs, Websit…
profvoigt on Research Guides in Focus – Mun…
Make Your PDF Docume… on Make Your PDF Document Edit-Pr…
madlaw291282999 on Using Hyperbole -Are You Riski…
How to Treat Bad Cli… on Why Do Bad Clients Deserve The…
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • The Researching Paralegal
    • Join 454 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Researching Paralegal
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d bloggers like this: