Hon. Christina Habas gives an information packed presentation on the art of jury selection.  This may be the least understood aspect of trial advocacy, but it doesn’t have to be.  Lawyers must ‘embrace their fear’ of jury selection and this presentation gives a number of examples of how to do just that.

The goal of jury selection is to seek out jurors whose views conflict with your theory—then excuse them.  You need to learn about your audience so you can craft your strategy to best suit them.  Just a few of the key points in this lecture are:

--First impressions matter—7 second rule.
--Do no harm.
--Know what tools you have at your disposal.

These and many other helpful tips are explained in great detail by Judge Habas.  To read more about Judge Habas’ career, click the Faculty tab above.

Watch a sample

• Christina Habas
  Keating Wagner Polidori Free
  Faculty
  Denver, CO

  
  
  Christina M. Habas
  
  J.D., University of Denver College of Law
  
  Christina M. Habas was born in Denver, Colorado and received her undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver.  She became licensed to practice law in October, 1982 in all Colorado State Courts, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.  She was admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar in 1994.
  
  She began her legal career with the law firm of Watson, Nathan & Bremer, P.C., and there represented many governmental entities, school districts and worked in the fields of general litigation, employment law and civil rights.  Beginning in April 1998, she moved to the offices of Bruno, Bruno & Colin, P.C., where she specialized in representation of members of law enforcement in the administrative, civil and criminal arenas.
  
  In December, 2003, she was appointed by then-Governor Bill Owens as a Denver District Court Judge.  She served in the Domestic, Civil and Criminal Divisions of that Court until her resignation in July of 2012 to resume her work as a trial lawyer.  During her time on the bench, Ms. Habas was also Presiding Grand Jury Judge for 5 years.  She served on the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board and the Supreme Court Committee on Civil Procedure Rules, was a mentor judge for newer appointees and also taught at training for judges throughout the State of Colorado.  She also had the honor of being among a list of 6 finalists for a vacancy in the United States District Court, District of Colorado.
  
  Ms. Habas has been a frequent lecturer and teacher.  She has taught with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy since 1991, and serves as senior faculty and Program Director on many programs.  She has also lectured in the areas of civil rights, employment law, trial advocacy, jury selection and storytelling for many groups.  She also values her time volunteering as a coach for Aurora Central High School's CBA High School Mock Trial Competition.  She has served as an adjunct professor with the University of Denver College of Law on Advanced Trial Practice.  She has also participated in many Masters in Trial throughout the United States, on both the Plaintiff's and the Defendant's side.  She is currently a National Board Representative for the Colorado Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

   

Information pending.