How to Select a Jury: Demonstrations by Experienced Trial Lawyers 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • Civil Litigation Law
Up to 4.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
How to Select a Jury: Demonstrations by Experienced Trial Lawyers 2026

Co-produced with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

What happens in the jury box doesn’t stay in the jury box

Jury selection is one of the most consequential (and underestimated) phases of a trial. The decisions made during voir dire can shape the outcome of a case before the first witness takes the stand. This demonstrative program gives you a rare front-row seat to watch accomplished trial attorneys conduct voir dire in a live mock courtroom environment, then explain the strategy behind their decisions.

8:30 am
Overview of the case

Michael P. Crooks

8:35 am
Voir Dire – where you can lose the case

Michael P. Crooks

8:50 am
Voir Dire Demonstration - plaintiff

Timothy S. Trecek

9:20 am
Voir Dire Demonstration – defendant

Frederick J. Strampe

9:50 am
Juror Strikes, Judge’s Comments, and Discussion

Michael P. Crooks, Hon. Stephen E. Ehlke

10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
Voir Dire Demonstration - plaintiff

Edward E. Robinson

10:55 am
Voir Dire Demonstration – defendant

Kara M. Burgos

11:25 am
Juror Strikes, Judge’s Comments, and Discussion

Michael P. Crooks, Hon. Stephen E. Ehlke

11:45 am
Juror feedback and additional panel discussion

All faculty and all jurors

12:15 pm
Program Concludes

Planning Committee

Amy M. Risseeuw, Chair
Peterson Berk & Cross S.C. · Appleton
Edward J. Vopal, Chair
Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. · Green Bay
Kara M. Burgos
Moen Sheehan Meyer Ltd · La Crosse
Timothy M. Johnson
Great American Insurance Company · Milwaukee
Steven L. Nelson
von Briesen & Roper S.C. · Milwaukee

Presiding Judge

Hon. Stephen E. Ehlke
Dane County Circuit Court · Madison

Moderator

Michael P. Crooks
von Briesen & Roper S.C. · Madison

For the Plaintiff

Timothy S. Trecek
Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. · Milwaukee
Edward E. Robinson
Cannon & Dunphy S.C. · Brookfield

For the Defense

Frederick J. Strampe
Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen S.C. · Milwaukee
Kara M. Burgos
Moen Sheehan Meyer Ltd · La Crosse

  • Identify common pitfalls in the jury selection process and strategies to avoid them
  • Observe how plaintiff and defense attorneys approach jury selection and hear the rationale behind their methods
  • Receive a sample jury questionnaire and sample strike worksheet to follow along in real time
  • Evaluate juror profiles alongside four experienced trial attorneys and consider whether you would make the same strike decisions
  • Gain unfiltered insight from jurors as they reflect on their experience
  • Follow this case to the 36th Annual Institute of Trial Practice, where the same jurors return for the mock trial
  • Civil litigators
  • Tort attorneys
  • Personal injury litigators
  • Criminal litigators
  • Insurance attorneys

Book Bonus!

Wisconsin Trial Practice
Save 25% on Wisconsin Trial Practice.* Researched and written by Wisconsin litigation attorneys, this indispensable resource walks you through each stage of a typical trial in the order of occurrence, from pretrial conferences and jury selection through post-trial motions. Use discount code CA3982 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

The Wisconsin ABOTA Chapter is sanctioned by the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to protecting the right to a civil jury trial established by the U.S. Constitution. To qualify as a member, attorneys must be nominated by another member, achieve at least six years of active experience as a trial lawyer, and have tried at least ten jury trials to conclusion over the course of their careers.

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