Persuasive Closing Arguments: Guiding the Verdict

This presentation will discuss a methodology of trial preparation that begins at the end, the closing argument. It will discuss creating a persuasive argument built on theories and themes grounded upon the three essential elements of facts, law, and emotion. We will discuss not only building the arguments themselves but also bridges that transport jurors from the stages of the trial such as cross examination to the closing arguments to create persuasive arguments that resonate.

Topics covered include:

Trial Skills Law Practice

Agenda:

The Methodology of Preparing for Trial Starting at the End

How the other parts of the trial may grow from the closing argument
Three-step process: know the law, learn the facts (and digest them), create the theory of the case

Three Components of Theory of Case

Facts (what happened)
Emotion (why it happened)
Law (how the jury becomes the “hero”)

Building a Sample Theory of Case

Hypothetical DUI case: walk through reviewing the law, commanding the facts, creating the theory of the case

Building Bridges to Closing Arguments: What To Do and What Not To Do

Things to do include using the evidence, using visual aids, addressing weaknesses in your case, addressing the standard of proof, and arguing with confidence
Things to avoid include arguing personal beliefs, making ad hominem attacks, arguing without structure, misstating the law or evidence, or ignoring the opponent

Duration of this webinar: 75 minutes

Originally broadcast: March 31, 2026 10:00 AM PT

Recording Available Soon

Speaker

Steven Epstein Founding Partner
Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco LLP

Steven Epstein is a founding partner at Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco LLP and manages the firm's DWI and Vehicular Crimes group. Mr. Epstein has more than 33 years of experience in the field of criminal defense, has tried over 100 criminal cases to verdict and is admitted to the New York State Bar, First Department, 1992; Connecticut Bar, 1992; United States Supreme Court, 1993 and United States District Court S.D.N.Y., N.D.N.Y. and E.D.N.Y, 1993. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.25 General

California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.25 General

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.25 General

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.25 General

Nevada CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.25 General

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.25 General

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure

Texas CLE

Status: Pending

Credits: TBD

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.25 General

This presentation is approved for one and a quarter hours of General CLE credit in Alaska, one and a quarter hours of General CLE credit in California, one and a quarter hours of General CLE credit in Hawaii, one and a quarter hours of General CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of General CLE credit in Nevada, one and a quarter hours of General CLE credit in North Carolina, one and a quarter hours of General CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure CLE credit in Pennsylvania, and one and a quarter hours of General CLE credit in Vermont. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.50 hours of total CLE credit. An application for accreditation of this activity has been submitted to the MCLE Committee of the State Bar of Texas and is pending.

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Note that CLE credit, including partial credit, cannot be earned outside of the relevant accreditation period. To earn credit for a course, a lawyer must watch the entire course within the relevant accreditation period. Lawyers who have viewed a presentation multiple times may not be able to claim credit in their jurisdiction more than once. Justia reserves the right, at its discretion, to grant an attendee partial or no credit, in accordance with viewing duration and other methods of verifying course completion.

At this time, Justia only offers CLE courses officially accredited in certain states. Lawyers may generate a generic attendance certificate to self-submit credit in their own jurisdiction, but Justia does not guarantee that lawyers will receive their desired CLE credit through the self-submission or reciprocity process.

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