--- title: Trial Practice description: Advocate Magazine articles on Trial Practice, from the Subject Matter Index. --- ## [Examinations under Evidence Code section 776](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2022-june/examinations-under-evidence-code-section-776 "Examinations under Evidence Code section 776") Don’t call the defendant just because you [[case]]can[[/case]]…. [Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield") From Issue: [2022 June](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2022-june) ## [Don’t make your first witness your first mistake](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-january/don-t-make-your-first-witness-your-first-mistake "Don’t make your first witness your first mistake") Calling a defense witness as your first witness is a popular idea – and a bad one [Rita Miller](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/rita-miller "Rita Miller") From Issue: [2021 January](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-january) ## [Don’t let self-inflicted errors on the verdict form torpedo your verdict](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-december/don-t-let-self-inflicted-errors-on-the-verdict-form-torpedo-your-verdict "Don’t let self-inflicted errors on the verdict form torpedo your verdict") Six tips from an appellate lawyer about how to minimize the risk of inconsistent verdicts [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") From Issue: [2017 December](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-december) ## [Do you want the judge to read your papers?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/do-you-want-the-judge-to-read-your-papers "Do you want the judge to read your papers?") The importance of “bookmarks” in your electronically filed documents, and the properly tabbed courtesy copy of your printed filing [Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield") From Issue: [2019 July](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july) ## [Delivering a powerful closing argument](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-october/delivering-a-powerful-closing-argument "Delivering a powerful closing argument") Telling your story using demonstratives and evidence [Natalie Weatherford](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/natalie-weatherford "Natalie Weatherford") From Issue: [2024 October](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-october) [![Dealing with the dark side](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/media/zoo/images/Sanchez_istock-174792323_1212db65cec37cd2827aced6503bc9d3.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-june/dealing-with-the-dark-side "Dealing with the dark side") ## [Dealing with the dark side](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-june/dealing-with-the-dark-side "Dealing with the dark side") Some perspective from an auto-insurance adjuster turned plaintiff attorney From Issue: [2021 June](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-june) ## [Establishing the record](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-december/establishing-the-record "Establishing the record") An appellate lawyer’s perspective on what trial lawyers need to know about preserving their records for appeal [Janet R. Gusdorff](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/janet-r-gusdorff "Janet R. Gusdorff") From Issue: [2017 December](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-december) ## [Don’t let the defense misuse social media to depict your client](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/don-t-let-the-defense-misuse-social-media-to-depict-your-client "Don’t let the defense misuse social media to depict your client") How defendants misrepresent a plaintiff’s condition through social media [Eustace de Saint Phalle](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/eustace-de-saint-phalle "Eustace de Saint Phalle") [Shana M. Nazarian](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/shana-m-nazarian "Shana M. Nazarian") From Issue: [2024 January](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january) ## [Don’t let prejudicial bad facts ruin your good case](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2023-january/don-t-let-prejudicial-bad-facts-ruin-your-good-case "Don’t let prejudicial bad facts ruin your good case") Key laws to protect your plaintiff from prejudicial evidence at trial through motions in limine [Natalie Weatherford](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/natalie-weatherford "Natalie Weatherford") [Peter Reagan](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/peter-reagan "Peter Reagan") From Issue: [2023 January](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2023-january) ## [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") From Issue: [2018 January](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-january) ## [Defense apologies at trial: Sorry, but that ship has sailed](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-may/defense-apologies-at-trial-sorry-but-that-ship-has-sailed "Defense apologies at trial: Sorry, but that ship has sailed") A look at the elements of a real apology, and how to avoid a tactical apology at trial [Clifton N. Smoot](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clifton-n-smoot "Clifton N. Smoot") From Issue: [2017 May](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-may) ## [Dealing with social-media evidence in trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-july/dealing-with-social-media-evidence-in-trial "Dealing with social-media evidence in trial") You can try to keep it out, but that “impeachment” evidence is probably going to get in [Sevy W. Fisher](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/sevy-w-fisher "Sevy W. Fisher") From Issue: [2025 July](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-july)