“In-person civil proceedings may be making a comeback in a few parts of the country, but virtual litigation is going to remain the order of the day for awhile longer.”
Law.com covered a great webinar that took place last week, “Strategies for Successful Virtual Courtroom Proceedings”, presented by the Washington Area Women Trial Attorneys and hosted by Magna’s own Canby B. Wood, Esq.
In May 2020, a Texas court held the nation’s first jury trial via Zoom. WAWTA’s webinar featured Judge Miskel, who presided over that case, as well as U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm, and other expert panelists. Watch the full webinar recording above to hear the panelists as discuss the future of remote courtroom proceedings in a COVID-19 world and new litigation strategies, including best practices for virtual hearings, trials, and motion arguments.
Law.com journalist Scott Graham wrote:
Texas state court Judge Emily Miskel was the star of the 90-minute webinar. Miskel presided over the nation’s first remote jury trial in May, and it sounded as if virtual proceedings have become second nature for her. “I finished up a bench trial today at lunchtime and we had about 24 people watching on YouTube,” she said.
Miskel said that four of the 12 jurors who served on her May trial had previously served on in-person juries, and reported that they could see witnesses and evidence on Zoom better than they could when seated from an angle, across a large courtroom. “I know many judges and attorneys are cautious about whether you can judge a witness’ credibility on Zoom,” she said, but the feedback from participants has been positive.
Click here to view the full Law.com article.
Webinar Speakers:
- Judge Paul W. Grimm, United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- Judge Emily Miskel, 470th District Court, Collin County, Texas
- Michelle S. Kallen, Deputy Solicitor General, Office of Attorney General of Virginia
- Katherine A. Helm, Partner, Dechert
Co-Moderators:
- Sarah A. Tomkowiak, Partner, Latham & Watkins
- Sarah M. Gragert, Counsel, Latham & Watkins
Introductory Statements:
- Canby Wood, Esq., Magna Legal Services; Co-Founder, Washington Area Women Trial Attorneys
- Judge Mark A. Drummond, Circuit Court Judge, 8th Judicial Circuit of Illinois (Retired); Judicial Director, Civil Jury Project
Click here to view more upcoming webinars and conferences by Magna