This widely adopted book has become the preeminent advocacy text for law students and lawyers. The chapters comprehensively explore planning and preparation, procedures and motions, evidence and objections, direct and cross examinations, the use of exhibits, opening statements and summation, jury selection, and verdicts and appeals. These chapters enable students to become highly competent, responsible, and ethical trial lawyers. They will learn how to effectively prepare and present civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts and to appear in judicial, arbitral, and administrative law forums.

This Fifth Edition covers the strategies, tactics, and techniques applicable to effective advocacy and provides examples and illustrations of successful advocates. Novel materials include the evidentiary impact of electronic information, the latest computer generated exhibits, and new foundations for the introduction of emails and social network communications. Examples from history, current events, literature, films, and the arts demonstrate advocacy skills in an interesting and relevant manner that makes learning advocacy both highly educational and entertaining. A companion Supplement contains complete transcripts of a civil jury trial, an arbitration, and an administrative hearing along with the federal rules of evidence and selected rules of procedure. No other book includes this comprehensive and outstanding coverage of advocacy.