Name: Connecting Creative Arts to the Art of Lawyering
Uploaded: 2025-12-04T10:00:00-08:00
Description: This webinar will draw the connections between the arts, such as writing and acting, and optimal presentation of cases for trial or mediation. We will discuss how to develop the story of a case – themes, areas in which to focus, etc. through various writing concepts and techniques. We will also discuss effective theatre skills to employ to aid in the presentation of a case at trial.

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Connecting Creative Arts to the Art of Lawyering

This webinar will draw the connections between the arts, such as writing and acting, and optimal presentation of cases for trial or mediation. We will discuss how to develop the story of a case – themes, areas in which to focus, etc. through various writing concepts and techniques. We will also discuss effective theatre skills to employ to aid in the presentation of a case at trial.

Topics covered include:

Trial Skills Law Practice Legal Writing

Agenda:

Introduction

Connection between the arts and being a trial lawyer

Role of the Trial Lawyer

Being a trial lawyer can be like playing a part

Story Telling

Developing your case using characters and effective language
Writing the hero’s story

Theatre Skills to Use

Various theatre skills are useful to practicing law, including:

Improvisation
Connecting to a jury
Knowing how to control pace
Making the courtroom your stage

Real-world example: Metzler v. Kurtz

Conclusion

Practical tips for lawyers embracing the creative arts

Questions & Answers (as time permits)

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: December 4, 2025 10:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction

Lauren D. Fraser, a personal injury lawyer specializing in spine and brain injuries, is introduced as the speaker. Lauren shares her background in theater and liberal arts, explaining the synergy between her theatrical upbringing and her legal career. She discusses her specialization in personal injury cases, particularly spine and brain injuries, and her passion for helping those in need.

05:07 Connecting Arts to Lawyering

Lauren discusses her passion for writing, having authored both fiction and non-fiction books. She highlights her involvement in theater as a playwright, director, and actor, and her role in reviving a performing arts studio. Lauren explains how her community connections through arts activities help bring in legal work and clients. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in law, drawing parallels between acting and legal presentations.

11:25 Storytelling in Legal Practice

Lauren explains how personal stories can make legal arguments more relatable and memorable. She warns against exaggeration in storytelling, stressing the need for authenticity to maintain credibility. She introduces various narrative structures, such as the hero's journey, to illustrate client struggles and triumphs. Lauren shares examples of storytelling techniques applicable across different areas of law, including personal injury and commercial litigation.

37:00 Developing Characters and Case Framing

Lauren discusses the importance of developing characters early in the legal process to understand their stories. She emphasizes the need for authenticity in client and witness testimonies to maintain credibility. Lauren advises on understanding the roles of adversaries and jurors in the narrative, focusing on resolving problems rather than being confrontational. She highlights the significance of writing the client's story from the beginning, considering how changes affect their life and who else is affected. Lauren stresses the importance of framing the case clearly and concisely, using a structured narrative to engage the audience.

53:00 Theatrical Techniques in Law

Lauren highlights the importance of using common language and sensory details to make legal arguments accessible and engaging. She draws parallels between acting and law, emphasizing the need for presence, listening, and preparation in legal presentations. Lauren discusses the role of authenticity and pacing in effective communication, using acting techniques to connect with the audience. She advises knowing the audience and subject matter thoroughly to tailor presentations and arguments effectively. Lauren encourages practicing storytelling techniques and engaging in activities like acting workshops to enhance presentation skills.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Lauren D. Fraser Attorney, Of Counsel
Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, PC

Lauren D. Fraser is a nationally recognized personal injury trial lawyer with the NJ law firm of Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, PC where she specializes in spine and brain injuries. Lauren also works with attorneys from all over the country, helping them prepare for their own trials by facilitating focus groups and offering strategic trial consulting.

Lauren is also a highly sought after lecturer and instructor for various trial lawyer organizations across the country. She is a member of the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice where she is the Co-Chair of the Jury Bias Litigation Group as well as a member of the Faculty for AAJ’s Case Plus Virtual Focus Groups. She is a Trustee of the Melvin M. Belli Society and an active member of the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ). Lauren is a former member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Board of Trustees (2015-2021). Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General

Earn Credit Until: October 23, 2026

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: November 30, 2026

This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in California, and North Carolina. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours.

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