UHLC Nota Bene

The O'Quinn Law Library collection now includes the 2020 edition of Texas Trial Procedure and Evidence by Jim Wren and Jeremy Counseller.   Texas Trial Procedure and Evidence is an annually-updated resource   It contains a number of quick-reference guides meant as a reference during trials, as well as containing what is effectively a practitioner's checklist for pre-trial preparation.  This book is intended as a reference guide for practicing attorneys, but it functions equally well as an introduction for law student to both trial practice and the rules of evidence in Texas courts.  Legal researchers may alse be interested in this book as a quick reference to search for rules by subject. Texas Trial Procedure and Evidence is currently available on the New Books shelf at the far end of the law library reference desk.  This book's call number is KFT 1779.W74 2020 .

The O'Quinn Law Library collection now includes Fundamentals of Texas Trial Practice: Civil and Criminal (5th ed.) by Judge Robert Barton. Fundamentals of Texas Trial Practice seems intended for law students, but attorneys might also enjoy the book as a review of the basic elements of trial practice.  In addition to in-trial actions such as examining witnesses and addressing the jury, this book reviews subjects such as jury selection and exhibit preparation that new law students may be less familiar with despite being equally critical to success as an attorney.  This fifth edition includes updated legal authorities for subjects addressed in previous editions. Fundamentals of Texas Trial Practice is currently available on the New Books shelf at the far end of the law library reference desk.  This book's call number is KFT 1738.B37 2018 .

The ABA Section of Litigation has recently published the second edition of The Trial Lawyer: What it Takes to Win by David Berg . This book begins in Chapter 1 with a discussion of the techniques of persuasion used by trial lawyers. Advice on matters of informal discovery such as getting to know clients, dealing with nonparty witnesses and investigating the case are covered in Chapter 2 on the pretrial phase. Formal discovery, especially depositions with respect to preparing clients and advice on taking depositions, is also explored in this chapter. The author uses the 1983 case, Pennzoil v. Texaco , to illustrate trial techniques discussed in the book with several images including the Memorandum of Agreement and is the focus of Chapter 4. There is an entire chapter devoted the preparation of witnesses for both direct and cross-examination. The importance of jury studies, opening and closing arguments are also reviewed. This book is now available in the library ( KF8915.B448 2018 ) o...

Attention, Texas trial lawyers: the O’Quinn Law Library recently acquired the 2018 edition of Texas Trial Procedure and Evidence , by Jim Wren and Jeremy Counseller. The authors are both Baylor law professors, with a considerable amount of trial experience between them. The aim of their book, as stated in the introduction, is “to be the single indispensable resource for any trial lawyer in a Texas state court civil trial.” It’s a bold claim (and I, as a law librarian, tend to be wary of the idea of a “one-stop shop” for any area of legal research), but the book certainly does provide a wealth of useful information.  The book is arranged in the order of the phases of trial, from pretrial hearings, jury selection, and opening statements all the way through to jury charges, judgment, and post-judgment motions. It includes extensive discussion of the rules of procedure and evidence, as well as a number of forms for various motions and requests. In addition to the main text and for...

The American Bar Association has recently published Images with Impact: Design and use of Winning Trial Visuals by Kerri L. Ruttenberg . This title is now available in the law library ( KF8915.R88 2017 ) o n the new titles shelf across from the reference desk. This book, ideal for both the trial lawyer and law student, focuses on turning themes into visuals to communicate effectively with the jury. The author begins with a discussion of the importance of visual communication and then covers tools such as charts, maps, diagrams, graphs, tables, outlines, photos, and timelines. Those who are not familiar with the basics of graphic design will also find the chapters in Part III to be very helpful. Tips on spotting misleading visuals, practical tips for creating and using visuals at trial, and an overview of the law on demonstrative evidence are among the other topics addressed.