BarbriSFCourseDetails
  1. keyboard_arrow_leftBack
BarbriPdBannerMessage

Course Details

Course Information
  • smart_display Format

    On-Demand

  • signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level

    Intermediate

  • work Practice Area

    Class Action and Other Litigation

Date & Time
  • event Date

    Tuesday, June 27, 2023

  • schedule Time

    1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

  • timer Program Length

    90 minutes

Credit Information

  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.


  • Live Online


    On Demand

$297.00

This course is $0 with these passes:

CLE
ALL

This CLE course will guide litigators on combating the trial strategy commonly known as the "reptile theory." The panel will educate counsel about identifying and responding to "reptile" tactics at every stage of a matter, from discovery through closing argument.

Description

Plaintiff attorneys use "reptile theory" to get larger plaintiff verdicts by appealing to the primal region of jurors' brains focused on safety and self-preservation. "Reptile" tactics seek to subtly lead the jury to believe that the defendant put all of society in danger and that a plaintiff's verdict is the only way to keep the world safe for themselves and others.

Its proponents credit reptile theory for $6 billion-plus in jury verdicts, including a single $50 million verdict in a wrongful death case.

To be most effective, reptilian theory tactics are deployed during every phase of a case, including discovery, opening statement, direct- and cross-examination, and closing argument. Defense attorneys must spot when reptilian tactics are being used and develop strategies for nullifying them.

Listen as our authoritative panel of litigators shares how to defend against these tactics and create the best opportunity for success at trial.

Outline

  1. Reptilian tactics in litigation: how to spot them
  2. Defense strategies: from discovery through closing argument

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • What is the underlying basis for "reptilian" theory trial tactics?
  • How are plaintiffs' attorneys leveraging reptile tactics to influence jurors?
  • How can defense attorneys counter plaintiffs' use of reptilian tactics?