--- title: 2018 January url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january --- # [2018 January](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january "2018 January") [![Advocate Jan18 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2018/01-january/Advocate-Jan18-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2018/January2018/html5/Advocate-Jan18-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Trial techniques](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/trial-techniques "Trial techniques") From voir dire to closing [Ibiere N. Seck](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ibiere-n-seck "Ibiere N. Seck") ## [Everybody’s watching: The new reality of excessive-force cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/everybody-s-watching-the-new-reality-of-excessive-force-cases "Everybody’s watching: The new reality of excessive-force cases") A look at the role of video, especially body cameras, and the expanding role of social media in police-misconduct actions [Carl E. Douglas](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/carl-e-douglas "Carl E. Douglas") ## [Don’t let the court ruin your jury selection](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/don-t-let-the-court-ruin-your-jury-selection "Don’t let the court ruin your jury selection") Civil attorneys have the right to explore juror attitudes, beliefs and proclivities. Be prepared to defend your rights to the court [Antony Stuart](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/antony-stuart "Antony Stuart") ## [Jury selection for the 21st century](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/jury-selection-for-the-21st-century "Jury selection for the 21st century") A practical, court-focused look at how you will select a jury and what you can and cannot accomplish in the process [Adam Shea](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/adam-shea "Adam Shea") [Brian Panish](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/brian-panish "Brian Panish") [Larry Hall](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/larry-hall "Larry Hall") ## [Arguing general damages at trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/arguing-general-damages-at-trial "Arguing general damages at trial") CACI gives you the essential tools for quantifying general damages to the jury. Here’s how to use them [Geoff Wells](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/geoff-wells "Geoff Wells") ## [Direct examination: Telling the story](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/direct-examination-telling-the-story "Direct examination: Telling the story") Direct examination requires its own storyline sequence with a beginning, middle and end [Christa Ramey](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/christa-ramey "Christa Ramey") ## [How legal staff best supports attorneys at trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/how-legal-staff-best-supports-attorneys-at-trial "How legal staff best supports attorneys at trial") Trial is not a solo act, it requires a chorus of support [Rose Gutierrez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/rose-gutierrez "Rose Gutierrez") ## [Voir dire, the files in your mind](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/voir-dire-the-files-in-your-mind "Voir dire, the files in your mind") This trial skill requires training, writing and memorizing scripts, and constant practice until you internalize the voir dire [Daniel Ambrose](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/daniel-ambrose "Daniel Ambrose") [Stephen A. King](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stephen-a-king "Stephen A. King") ## [The law governing juror qualifications](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/the-law-governing-juror-qualifications "The law governing juror qualifications") A look at the qualifications for jurors and at proper challenges, particularly language-based challenges ## [Using closing argument to support your “plaintiff jurors” in deliberation](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/using-closing-argument-to-support-your-plaintiff-jurors-in-deliberation "Using closing argument to support your “plaintiff jurors” in deliberation") Your best chance to win is to empower the jurors who are already with you to persuade the rest of the jury that your argument has merit [Genie Harrison](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/genie-harrison "Genie Harrison") ## [Everything you wanted to know about voir dire](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-voir-dire "Everything you wanted to know about voir dire") A master trial lawyer shares a career’s worth of jury-selection knowledge ## [Lightening the overload](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/lightening-the-overload "Lightening the overload") Tips to manage your email inbox [Stuart Zanville](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stuart-zanville "Stuart Zanville") ## [Band of brothers and sisters](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/band-of-brothers-and-sisters "Band of brothers and sisters") Take no challenge alone [Geraldine Ly](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/geraldine-ly "Geraldine Ly") ## [Consumer Attorneys of California makes positive impact on the lives of California consumers](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/consumer-attorneys-of-california-makes-positive-impact-on-the-lives-of-california-consumers "Consumer Attorneys of California makes positive impact on the lives of California consumers") Elder abuse by nursing homes and mandatory arbitration in consumer contracts are but two of the battles being waged in Sacramento [Mike Arias](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mike-arias "Mike Arias") ## [Become more engaged!](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/become-more-engaged "Become more engaged!") Together we are a stronger organization as we look to the new year [Mike Arias](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mike-arias "Mike Arias") ## [Closing argument in a personal-injury case](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january/closing-argument-in-a-personal-injury-case "Closing argument in a personal-injury case") General principles that apply to all closing arguments in personal-injury cases [Mike Alder](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mike-alder "Mike Alder")