Introduction 

Acknowledgements 

How To Use This Book 

Biography of John A. Day 

Chapter 1. Scheduling Orders 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. The Law of Scheduling Orders Generally 
• Section 3. Topics Addressed in Scheduling Orders 
• Section 4. Conclusion 

Chapter 2. Final Pretrial Conferences 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Final Pretrial Conferences Generally 
• Section 3. Issues Subject to Discussion at Final Pretrial Conferences 
• Section 4. Documentation and Impact of Results of Final Pretrial Conferences 
• Section 5. Evidentiary Issues Raised at Final Pretrial Conferences 
• Section 6. Discussion of Alternative Dispute Resolution at Final Pretrial Conferences 
• Section 7. Sanctions for Violations of Pretrial Orders 

Chapter 3. Motions in Limine 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. What are Motions in Limine? 
• Section 3. When to File Motions in Limine 
• Section 4. Uses of Motions in Limine 
• Section 5. Form of Motions in Limine 
• Section 6. Hearing of and Orders Concerning Motions in Limine 
• Section 7. Practical Considerations Concerning Motions in Limine 
• Section 8. Issues Arising at Trial and Standard of Review 
• Section 9. Preservation of Adverse Rulings for Purposes of Appeal 
• Section 10. Violation of Orders on Motions in Limine 
• Section 11. My Opponent Did Not File a Motion in Limine. Now What? 

Chapter 4. Jury Selection 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Who is Qualified to Serve as a Juror? 
• Section 3. Voir Dire 
• Section 4. Challenges for Cause 
• Section 5. Peremptory Challenges – Number and Use 
• Section 6. Alternate Jurors – Selection and Peremptory Challenges 
• Section 7. Limitations of Peremptory Challenges 

Chapter 5. The Rule 

• Section 1. Definition of the Rule 
• Section 2. How the Rule Works 
• Section 3. Violations of the Rule 

Chapter 6. Opening Statements and Closing Arguments 

• Section 1. Generally 
• Section 2. Appropriate and Inappropriate Remarks in Opening Statements and Closing Arguments 
• Section 3. Use of Transcript of Testimony in Closing Arguments 
• Section 4. Use of PowerPoint During Opening Statements and Closing Arguments 
• Section 5. Use of Per Diem Arguments 
• Section 6. Time Limits on Opening Statements and Closing Arguments 
• Section 7. Preserving the Record 
• Section 8. Additional Points on Opening Statements and Closing Arguments 

Chapter 7. Examination of Witnesses 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Competence of Witnesses 
• Section 3. Relevance of Testimony 
• Section 4. Evidence Admissibility Checklist 
• Section 5. Direct Examination 
• Section 6. Cross Examination 
• Section 7. Re-Direct Examination 
• Section 8A. Other Frequently Encountered Evidentiary Issues – Rule of Completeness 
• Section 8B. Other Frequently Encountered Evidentiary Issues – The Use of a Writing to Refresh Recollection 
• Section 8C. Other Frequently Encountered Evidentiary Issues – Use of Prior Statements 
• Section 8D. Other Frequently Encountered Evidentiary Issues – Learned Treatises 
• Section 9. Re-Opening Proof 
• Section 10. Testimony by Remote Video Conference 
• Section 11. General Rule – Evidence Issues on Appeal 

Chapter 8. Use of Depositions at Trial 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. The Basic Rule Governing the Use of Depositions 
• Section 3. Use of Depositions to Impeach 
• Section 4. Use of Depositions to Support Claim or Defense 
• Section 5. Limitations on Use of Depositions at Hearing or Trial 
• Section 6. Use of Deposition Because Witness is Unavailable 
• Section 7. Use of Depositions of Experts at Trial 
• Section 8. Final Thoughts about Using Depositions at Hearings and Trials 

Chapter 9. Opinion and Expert Testimony 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Practical Suggestions on Opinion and Expert Testimony 

Chapter 10. Mistrials 

• Section 1. Generally 

Chapter 11. Motion for Directed Verdicts and Involuntary Dismissals 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Motions for Directed Verdicts 
• Section 3. Motions for Involuntary Dismissals in Non-Jury Trials 

Chapter 12. Findings of Fact 

• Section 1. Generally 
• Section 2. Amendment of Factual Findings 
• Section 3. Appellate Review of Factual Findings by the Court 

Chapter 13. Jury Instructions 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Instructions before Voir Dire 
• Section 3. Instructions after Voir Dire but Before Opening Statements 
• Section 4. Instructions during the Trial 
• Section 5A. Instruction at the Conclusion of Trial – Development of the Charge to the Jury 
• Section 5B. Instruction at the Conclusion of Trial – Delivery of the Jury Charge 
• Section 6. Instructions After the Jury Begins Deliberations – Deadlocked Juries and the Dynamite Charge 

Chapter 14. Juror Questions 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Juror Questions During Witness Testimony 
• Section 3. Juror Questions During Deliberations 

Chapter 15. Verdict Forms 

• Section 1. Generally 
• Section 2. Special Verdict Forms Under the Tennessee Civil Justice Act of 2011 
• Section 3. Appellate Review 

Chapter 16. Discretionary Costs 

• Section 1. Awards of Discretionary Costs Generally 
• Section 2. Who is the “Prevailing Party”? 
• Section 3. What Costs Can Be Awarded? 
• Section 3A. Court Reporter Expenses 
• Section 3B. Expert Witness Fees 
• Section 3C. Interpreter and Guardian Ad Litem Fees 
• Section 3D. Costs that are Not Recoverable 
• Section 4. Motions Seeking Discretionary Costs 
• Section 5. Opposing an Award of Discretionary Costs 
• Section 6. Appeal of Adverse Rulings on Motions for Discretionary Costs 
• Section 7. Recovery of Discretionary Costs Against Governmental Entities 
• Section 8. Impact of an Award of Discretionary Costs on the Ability of a Plaintiff to Refile Suit 

Chapter 17. Motions for a New Trial and to Alter or Amend Judgments 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Filing a Motion for New Trial 
• Section 3. Appellate Court Review of Rulings on Motions for New Trial 
• Section 4. Grounds for New Trial 
• Section 5. The Plain Error Doctrine 
• Section 6. Motions to Alter or Amend 
• Section 7. Additional Information on Motions for New Trial and Motions to Alter or Amend 

Chapter 18. Remittitur 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Remittitur Motions in the Trial Court 
• Section 3. Remittitur Issues before the Appellate Courts 

Chapter 19. Additur 

• Section 1. Introduction 
• Section 2. Additur Motions in the Trial Court 
• Section 3. The Trial Judge’s Role When Faced with a Motion for an Additur 
• Section 4. Options Available to a Defendant When an Additur is Suggested 
• Section 5. Recourse Available to Plaintiff If Motion for Additur is Denied 
• Section 6. Role of Appellate Court When Additur Has Been Suggested 

Chapter 20. Motions for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict 

• Section 1. Generally 

Chapter 21. Preparing to Win at Trial 

• Section 1. Take Time to Think 
• Section 2. Read and Learn the Local Rules and the Chamber Rules 
• Section 3. Trial Preparation Checklists 
• Section 4. Use Scheduling Orders 
• Section 5. Do Proper Expert Disclosures 
• Section 6. Numbering Your Discovery 
• Section 7. Review Discovery Responses for Supplementation 
• Section 8. Identification of Documents 
• Section 9. Depositions 
• Section 10. Referencing Identification Numbers of Documents During Depositions 
• Section 11. Exhibit Numbering at Depositions 
• Section 12. Think About Stipulations Early 
• Section 13. Create an Appropriate Record for Pretrial (and All Other Motions) 
• Section 14. Re-Read the Rules of Evidence Before Trial 
• Section 15. Address Witness Availability Issues as Soon as Possible 
• Section 16. Obtain the Jury List When it is Available 
• Section 17. Motions in Limine 
• Section 18. Sending Depositions to Witnesses 
• Section 19. Over-Sized Exhibits and Models 
• Section 20. Outline Depositions of Witnesses Likely to by Called at Trial 
• Section 21. Outline Direct Examinations 
• Section 22. Outline Cross-Examinations 
• Section 23. Trial Brief 
• Section 24. Trial Notebook – Generally 
• Section 25. Trial Notebook – Contact Information 
• Section 26. Trial Notebook – Trial Timeline 
• Section 27. Trial Notebook – Pleadings 
• Section 28. Trial Notebook – Discovery 
• Section 29. Trial Notebook – Proof Checklist 
• Section 30. Thinking About Your Case – How Can We Prove What We Need to Prove with as Few Witnesses and Exhibits as Possible? 
• Section 31. Trial Notebook – Witness Sections / Witness Notebooks 
• Section 32. Trial Notebook – Proposed Jury Instructions 
• Section 33. Trial Notebook – Jury Verdict Form 
• Section 34. Trial Notebook – Error Section 
• Section 35. Pocket Briefs 
• Section 36. Plan for Rebuttal 
• Section 37. Trial Box 
• Section 38. Food 
• Section 39. Out-of-Town Trials 
• Section 40. Visit the Courtroom Where the Case Will be Tried 
• Section 41. Photos of the Courtroom 
• Section 42. Think About the Weather 
• Section 43. Driving Directions and Parking 
• Section 44. Clothing, Jewelry, and Pens 
• Section 45. Tell Your Clients and Witnesses How to Dress 
• Section 46. Warn Your Client, Witnesses, and Co-Workers That They are on Trial from the Moment They Leave Their Home 
• Section 47. Computers in the Courtroom 
• Section 48. Video and Document Projectors 
• Section 49. Have an Easel and Over-Sized Writing Tablet Available 
• Section 50. Show Up Early – and Make Your Clients and Witnesses Do the Same 
• Section 51. Check Your Zipper (and Your Shoes) 
• Section 52. Turn Your Smart (or Dumb) Phone Off 
• Section 53. Courtroom Personnel 
• Section 54. Interacting with the Judge 
• Section 55. Consider the Use of a Juror Questionnaire 
• Section 56. Develop a Method of Keeping Up with Data During Jury Selection 
• Section 57. Keep Up with Peremptory Challenges During Jury Selection 
• Section 58. Have Court Reporter Place Time-Stamps on the Transcript 
• Section 59. Exhibits at Trial 
• Section 60. Review Exhibits for Previously Excluded Information 
• Section 61. Juror Notebooks 
• Section 62. Use of Documents at Trial 
• Section 63. Life Expectancy 
• Section 64. More Thoughts on Dealing with Your Judge 
• Section 65. Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law 
• Section 66. Exhibit Management 
• Section 67. Witness Notification Request 
• Section 68. The End of the Trial Day 
• Section 69. Settlements During Trial 
• Section 70. Taking the Verdict 
• Section 71. Speaking with the Jury After the Verdict is Announced 
• Section 72. Preparing the Judgment 
• Section 73. Post-Trial Motions 
• Section 74. Call Your Witnesses When the Trial is Over 
• Section 75. Post-Trial Analysis 
• Section 76. Appeals 
• Section 77. Concluding Remarks 

Back Matter 

Appendix A (Scheduling Orders) 

Appendix B (Motions in Limine) 

Appendix C (Rule 26 Deficiency Letter) 

Appendix D (Proposed Jury Instructions) 

Appendix E (Discretionary Costs) 

Appendix F (Trial Preparation Checklists) 

Appendix G (Trial Brief) 

Appendix H (Trial Contact Lists) 

Appendix I (Trial Timeline) 

Appendix J (Take-to-Trial Checklist) 

Appendix K (Trial Exhibits Index) 

Appendix L (American College of Trial Lawyers Code of Pretrial and Trial Conduct)