Keith Mitnik on Closing Argument

Keith Mitnik believes that a closing argument is not going to change jurors’ minds, rather it’s an opportunity for you to galvanize those jurors who will fight on your client’s behalf during deliberation. He argues that there are three crucial steps to crafting an effective closing argument: 1. Pick out the most powerful pieces 2. Put those powerful points at your fingertips 3. Package those pieces for maximum impact In this interview, Mitnik gives in-depth explanations, supported by anecdotes from past trials, on how to incorporate these steps in your practice and offers key strategies: How to organize key information Why it’s important to maintain a log and track claims How to approach the burden of proof How to wrap your point around the law Why analogies are an essential tool in closing arguments How to flip the defense’s analogies How to establish the righteousness of damages And in a follow-up Q&A, Mitnik answers audience questions on a variety of topics, such as: How to p