THE TRIAL OF A MATRIMONIAL ACTION Strategies, Techniques, Examinations NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION FAMILY LAW SECTION SUMMER MEETING July 13, 2018 STEPHEN GASSMAN, ESQ. GASSMAN BAIAMONTE GRUNER, P.C. GARDEN CITY, NY Table of Contents Contents INTRODUCTION I. Overriding Considerations ................................................................... 7 II. Theme to Case ................................................................................ 7 III. Jury v. Bench Trial .......................................................................... 8 IV. Try to make case interesting .............................................................. 8 V. Big Picture Case ............................................................................... 8 VI. Building Block Proof of Case .............................................................. 8 VII. Think Like the Tribunal, not the Client ................................................. 9 VIII. Trial Language ............................................................................. 9 IX. Anticipating Evidentiary Issues .......................................................... 9 X. Organization; Tidiness ..................................................................... 10 XI. Patent Weakness in Case ................................................................ 10 XII. Lists, Lists, Lists .......................................................................... 10 XIII. Opening and Closing Doors ............................................................ 11 XIV. Protocols ................................................................................... 11 XV. Knowing When to Stop ................................................................. 11 XVI. Objections ................................................................................. 12 XVII. Preparation ............................................................................... 12 XVIII. Sequestration of Witnesses .......................................................... 12 XIX. Wildcard Factors ......................................................................... 13 XX. Second Chair Role ....................................................................... 13 XXI. Two Cardinal Rules of Litigation ...................................................... 13 XXII. Introducing Exhibit ..................................................................... 13 TRIAL PREPARATION I. Motions in Limine ............................................................................ 15 II. Trial Notebook .............................................................................. 16 III. Computer-Assisted Trial Preparation .................................................. 16 IV. Writing the Trial Memo ................................................................... 17 V. Life Style Analysis .......................................................................... 18 VI. Tape Recordings ........................................................................... 18 VII. Trial Preparation Checklist .............................................................. 19 VIII. Miscellaneous Considerations ........................................................ 19 OPENING STATEMENT I. Do not waive ................................................................................. 20 II. Importance .................................................................................. 20 III. Sequence of Trial .......................................................................... 20 IV. Do not “Read” Opening Statement (or Closing Statement) ...................... 20 V. Other Considerations....................................................................... 21 VI. Impactful start to Opening .............................................................. 21 VII. Biggest Mistake ........................................................................... 22 2 Table of Contents VIII. What Not to Include..................................................................... 22 IX. Preparation of opening statement ..................................................... 23 X. Aspects of Opening ......................................................................... 23 DIRECT EXAMINATION I. Direct Examination – General Considerations ......................................... 25 II. Versus Cross-Examination ................................................................ 25 III. Four Basic Goals of Direct Examination .............................................. 25 IV. How to Achieve Goal ...................................................................... 26 V. Difficulties with Witness Preparation ................................................... 26 VI. “Stage Position” ............................................................................ 26 VII. Listen; Appear Interested ............................................................... 27 VIII. Some Aspects of Questioning ......................................................... 27 IX. Cover only what is necessary ........................................................... 27 X. Chronology ................................................................................... 27 XI. Non-Leading Questions ................................................................... 27 XII. When Leading Question Permissible on Direct Permissible ...................... 30 XIII. Forgetful Witness – Refreshing Recollection ....................................... 31 XIV. Anticipate and Neutralize Cross Examination ...................................... 32 XV. Important Part of Testimony ........................................................... 33 XVI. Unexpected Answer or Non-answer .................................................. 33 XVII. Some Questions to Commit to Memory ............................................ 34 XVIII. Calling Adverse Party as Witness on Direct Case ............................... 34 XIX. Corroboration ............................................................................. 34 XX. Presenting Financial Testimony - Voluminous Record Rule ...................... 34 XXI. Experts ..................................................................................... 35 XXII. Exclusion of Evidence – Offer of Proof ............................................. 35 XXIII. Using Deposition Testimony to Prove Facts ...................................... 36 XXV. Proving Facts by Opinion Testimony of Lay Witnesses .......................... 38 XXIV. Attorney’s Demeanor .................................................................. 40 XXV. Sequence of Witnesses ................................................................ 41 XXVI. Common Mistakes ...................................................................... 42 XXVII. Preparation of Witness .............................................................. 43 XXVIII. Exhibits ................................................................................ 44 XXIX. Use of Charts and Visual Aids ....................................................... 45 XXX. Free Narrative Questions v. Specific Questions ................................... 46 XXXI. Direct Examination that Anticipates Cross Examination ....................... 46 XXXII. Confused or Nonresponsive Witness .............................................. 47 XXXIII. The 5 Minute Prima Facie Contempt Case ...................................... 47 XXXIV. Use of Hearsay on Direct Examination ........................................... 47 XXXV. Outline for Direct Examination of a Business Appraiser ....................... 48 XXXVI. Bases of Expert Opinion ............................................................. 49 XXXVII. Professionally Reliable Hearsay Exception ..................................... 50 XXXVIII. Collateral Sources .................................................................. 53 3 Table of Contents XXXIX. Tips for Mental Health Professional on Direct Examination .................. 53 XL. Ending of Direct Examination ........................................................... 54 CROSS EXAMINATION I. Introduction ...................................................................................... 55 II. Direct v. Collateral Cross ...................................................................... 56 COMMANDMENTS AND RULES ....................................................................... 56 I. Be Brief ........................................................................................ 56 II. Short Questions, Plain Words ............................................................ 57 III. Ask Only Leading Questions ............................................................ 57 IV. Never Ask a Questions to which you do not know the Answer .................. 58 V. Listen to Answer and Observe Witness ................................................ 58 VI. Do Not Quarrel with the Witness ....................................................... 58 VII. Do Not Permit the Witness to Explain ................................................ 60 VIII. Don’t have the Witness Repeat Direct .............................................. 60 IX. Avoid the One Question Too Many ..................................................... 60 X. Prior Inconsistent Statement – Direct Testimony contradicts Deposition Testimony ........................................................................................ 61 XI. Save the Explanation for Summation ................................................. 63 ADDITIONAL COMMANDMENTS