NITA Publications

Effective Closing Argument, Second Edition

Effective Closing Argument addresses the crucial subject of closing argument in an illuminating and exciting manner. Early on there is a dissertation on psychology and philosophy as they are related to the art of persuasion. These are foundation stones on which a persuasive closing argument is built, yet they have seldom if ever been systematically presented. The core ideas of the classical art of rhetoric are presented with vibrancy and in a manner most useful to the trial lawyer.

The book also contains an almost complete compendium of the law pertaining to closing argument. This survey clearly answers the fundamental questions about what you can and cannot do in a closing argument. It is also thorough and comprehensive; the discussion of the case law contains case citations from virtually all jurisdictions. There is also a state by state chart of the many, many case authorities.

The main portion of the book consists of a case by case study of carefully selected closing arguments, both civil and criminal. This consists of verbatim closing arguments, together with an analytical discussion of each case by the author and often by the lawyers who made the summations.

• >> TABLE OF CONTENTS
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  
  About the Author
  Foreword
  Preface
  Acknowledgments
  
  Part I
  THE ART OF CLOSING ARGUMENT
  
  Chapter 1
  THE LAW OF MODERN CLOSING ARGUMENT
  
  Chapter 2
  CLASSICAL PRINCIPLES OF PERSUASION
  
  Chapter 3
  CLASSICAL RHETORICAL PRINCIPLES APPLIED TO THE MODERN CLOSING ARGUMENT
  
  Part II
  CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES
  
  Chapter 4
  DANIEL WEBSTER'S CLOSING ARGUMENT IN THE MURDER PROSECUTION OF JOHN F. KNAPP
  
  Chapter 5
  ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S CLOSING ARGUMENT IN THE ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE CASE
  
  Chapter 6
  CLARENCE DARROW'S CLOSING ARGUMENT AND PLEA OF MERCY IN DEFENSE OF LEOPOLD AND LOEB
  
  Chapter 7
  JURY INSTRUCTIONS AND CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN THE PROSECUTION OF PATRICIA HEARST
  
  Chapter 8
  CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN ESTATE OF KAREN SILKWOOD v. KERR-McGEE CORPORATION
  
  Chapter 9
  CLOSING ARGUMENT OF PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN A PERSONAL INJURY ACTION
  
  Chapter 10
  CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN A MEDICAL INSURANCE BAD FAITH ACTION
  
  Chapter 11
  CLOSING ARGUMENT OF PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN A BURN INJURY ACTION
  
  Chapter 12
  CLOSING ARGUMENT OF PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN A SWIMMING POOL PRODUCTS LIABILITY ACTION
  
  Chapter 13
  CLOSING ARGUMENT BY BARRY NACE, ESQ., FOR PLAINTIFF IN SEKOU EALY v. RICHARDSON-MERRELL, INC
  
  Chapter 14
  CLOSING ARGUMENT IN HAWKINS v. ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, CALVIN THUR, ESQ
  
  Table of Cases
  Index

• >> AUTHOR
  
  
  • Peter C. Lagarias
    
    
    • Peter C. Lagarias is a State Bar of California certified specialist in franchise and distribution law and a nationally recognized trial lawyer emphasizing representation of franchisees. Peter has tried and arbitrated numerous tort, business, and real estate matters on behalf of his clients. He has represented groups of franchises in collective actions and class actions. Among the types of franchisee claims representative of his practice are: fraud in the inducement in franchise and other agreements, nondisclosure and misrepresentations in the offer and sale of franchises, breach of contract and covenant of good faith and fair dealing, improper encroachment by franchisors, misuse of advertising funds, improper pricing in violation of antitrust laws and the Uniform Commercial Code, wrongful termination of franchises and dealerships, violations of franchise statutes, and other unfair trade practices. In addition to Peter's litigation practice, he has served as a commercial arbitrator in numerous matters with the American Arbitration Association. Prior to entering private practice, Peter was a staff attorney with the San Francisco Regional Office of the Federal Trade Commission from 1977 through 1981.