In the Spring Trial Techniques Committee Newsletter, Attorney Lois T. Collins offers her litigation strategies for utilizing motions in limine. In her article, “Motions in Limine: Trimming the Fat,” Ms. Collins maintains that an effective trial technique includes the use of motions in limine to dissect issues from the opponent’s case that could distract the judge or jury.

The Trial Techniques Committee is a part of the Tort, Trial and Insurance Section of the American Bar Association. This premiere national litigation group brings together plaintiff’s attorneys, defense attorneys, insurance and corporate counsel for the exchange of information and ideas regarding effective strategies for winning lawsuits.

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Shareholder Joseph M. White was recently featured in the American Bar Association publication, The Brief. Mr. White is an editorial board member and frequent contributor to the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) magazine.

The Brief is the American Bar Association's magazine for lawyers practicing tort and insurance law. It is published quarterly to facilitate TIPS' goal of bringing together plaintiffs' attorneys, defense attorneys, insurance and corporate counsel for the exchange of information and ideas.

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Corporate counsel today must detect and police fraud within the corporate structure. Counsel's failure to report corporate wrongdoing could result in the attorney trading in pinstripes for prison stripes. Shareholder Jeffrey G. Collins has authored an insightful article for the State Bar of Michigan Bar Journal to warn corporate counsel of the danger of spectating corporate misconduct and why the ostrich defense is not available.

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Phifer & White, P. C. is pleased to announce that shareholder Jeffrey G. Collins has been selected for inclusion on the Michigan Super Lawyers list for 2007. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state have been named to the list and are selected through an extensive process based on peer nominations, blue ribbon panel review and independent research. His name appears in the Michigan Super Lawyers magazine and the Super Lawyers website at www.superlawyers.com. He also received this honor in 2006.

Mr. Collins has distinguished himself over the years as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Chief Judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court, Criminal Division and Judge of Recorders Court. He joined Phifer & White in March 2007 where he established and heads the Firm’s Corporate Compliance and White Collar Defense practices. He may be reached at jcollins@phiferwhite.com.

Recently, shareholder Joseph M. White published an article in the Practical Litigator entitled "A Goal without A Plan Is Just A Wish, Effective Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses."

The Practical Litigator is a critically acclaimed nationally circulated periodical published by the American Law Institute-American Bar Association. Its publisher says about it: "Each issue ... contains anywhere from five to eight short articles by ... experienced attorneys. They offer their insights into every possible aspect of litigation practice. More importantly, because they are busy, just like you, they won't waste your time with a lot of string cites and theory. They tell you what the problem is, and how to solve it, in crisp, clear ways that you can immediately put to use in your own practice."

In his article, Mr. White discusses how to use expert witness interrogatories, follow-up discovery, research the expert's prior testimony and publications, how to conduct a discovery deposition of the expert, strategize the attack, and offers sample questions for the most crucial parts of the cross-examination. Mr. White's article was initially presented and was well received at an American Bar Association seminar in Philadelphia.

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If you would like copies of the article, please visit The Practical Litigator.