CLE: Trial Practice Tips from a Criminal Law Perspective

This program is approved for 2 CLE credits, including 0.5 ethics credit.

In this annual program co-sponsored by Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice, experienced criminal practice attorneys will discuss common tips and pitfalls made by litigators. Topics will include:

• Opening Statements
• Direct and Cross Examinations
• Closing Arguments
• Ethical Considerations for the Criminal Practice Lawyer

Moderated Discussion on the Topics

Moderator:
The Honorable Cynthia Dustin-Cruz
Las Vegas Justice Court, Department 5
William S. Boyd School of Law, Class of 2003

Panelists:
Amber Craig
Assistant U.S. Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada
William S. Boyd School of Law, Class of 2002

Shari Kaufman
Assistant Federal Public Defender
Federal Public Defender Office, District of Nevada

Christopher Lalli
Assistant District Attorney overseeing the Criminal and Juvenile Divisions
Office of the District Attorney

Thomas F. Pitaro
Law Offices of Thomas F. Pitaro
Adjunct Professor, William S. Boyd School of Law

Agenda

About the Panelists

Amber Craig
Amber is a 1999 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a 2002 graduate of the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Ms. Craig is licensed in Texas and Nevada. She worked at the Dallas County District Attorney from 2003-2005. She has served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada since 2005 and prosecutes primarily narcotics and violent offenses.

Cynthia Dustin-Cruz
Cynthia is a 2003 graduate of the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Upon graduation, Judge Dustin-Cruz clerked for the Honorable Jackie Glass. Upon the conclusion of her clerkship she worked at the Offices of Steven B. Wolfson, Chtd. In December 2006 she opened a solo practice, and in January 2012 she was elected to the Las Vegas Justice Court, Department 5.

Christopher Lalli
Christopher serves as the Assistant District Attorney overseeing the Criminal and Juvenile Divisions of the Office of the District Attorney. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 1994. Since 1994, he has been a member of the Nevada Bar and United States Bar for the District of Nevada Mr. Lalli joined the Office of the District Attorney in 1994. In 2001 he became a member of the Major Violators Unit and a capital case litigator. He has taught law and procedure to members of law enforcement and various courses at the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, at the National College of District Attorneys, and at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Thomas F. Pitaro
Mr Pitaro has practiced law in Las Vegas, Nevada, for over 28 years. He has successfully tried every type of case form misdemeanors to capital murder. Although his practice is primarily in the area of criminal law, Mr. Pitaro also practices in the area of personal injury and civil litigation. He is currently affiliated with the American College of Trial Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Nevada Society of Italian-American Lawyers and the Clark County Bar Association. He served as President from 1991-1993 for the Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice and has also served on the Nevada State Bar Association as a member of the Board of Governors from 1996-2000.

For registration, cost and payment details, click here.