Learning Litigation Skills From “Where the Crawdads Sing”-Learning Litigation Skills From “Where the Crawdads Sing”

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The CLE, hosted by the Akron Bar Association, was presented by Philip Bogdanoff and used the movie/book <em>Where the Crawdads Sing</em> to teach litigation skills. Bogdanoff, a longtime former Summit County prosecutor and current special prosecutor, emphasized an interactive format with audience participation and chat responses.

He first discussed motions to suppress, focusing on whether evidence like the red cap found at Kya’s home should have been excluded. Using <em>Florida v. Jardines</em>, he explained Fourth Amendment limits on police entering a home’s curtilage, the need for probable cause, and why warrants are usually preferred. He also stressed that affidavits must contain facts, not conclusions, and that evidence can be attacked if false information is included.

The program then turned to why sexual assault victims often do not report crimes. Bogdanoff described shame, fear, alcohol involvement, distrust of police, and the retraumatizing nature of the justice process. He referenced the “Start by Believing” campaign and urged empathy when working with survivors.

Other topics included building a case through investigation, preserving crime scenes, interviewing all witnesses, using photos and records, and developing alternative theories. He also covered managing difficult clients, recommending honesty, clear fee agreements, timely communication, and careful boundary-setting.

Later sections addressed trial tactics: crafting strong openings and closings, making objections to hearsay and expert testimony, handling alibi defenses, and using themes consistently. Finally, he outlined appellate practice and oral argument, stressing detailed note-taking, brevity, credibility, preservation of error, and knowledge of local rules.

Overall, the CLE used scenes from <em>Where the Crawdads Sing</em> to illustrate practical courtroom strategy from investigation through appeal.

Keywords

CLE

Akron Bar Association

Philip Bogdanoff

Where the Crawdads Sing

litigation skills

motion to suppress

Fourth Amendment

Florida v. Jardines

probable cause

sexual assault victims

Start by Believing

crime scene investigation

trial tactics

appellate practice

oral argument