Learning Litigation Skills From “Where the Crawdads Sing”

Create Account

Availability

On-Demand

Expires on Dec 31, 2026

Credit Offered

3 General CLE Credits

Description
Speaker: Phil Bogdanoff

This 3-hour CLE will focus on learning Litigation/Appellate Advocacy framed around the murder mystery novel, "Where the Crawdads Sing"

Learning Litigation Skills From “Where the Crawdads Sing”

Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel that has sold over 15 million copies and has been created into a best-selling movie. In this murder mystery Catherine "Kya" Clark is accused of murdering Chase Andrews after their relationship ended. We will examine the trial by reviewing clips of this movie and discussing the trial tactics by the prosecutor and defense. We will determine whether a motion to suppress would have been successful in this case. We will learn litigation skills by reviewing the opening and closing arguments, the direct and the cross-examination of various witnesses and the alibi defense. Attorneys will learn ten tips on how to deal with difficult clients. Attendees will examine why Kya did not report a sexual assault to the police and whether this failure to report is common in today’s society. Finally, we will review appellate advocacy assuming that Kya was convicted of murder and strategies to reverse this conviction with an emphasis on oral argument. The goal of this program is for attendees to learn litigation skills while discussing this amazing story.

Philip Bogdanoff is a trained educator with an undergraduate degree in education. After graduating from law school he became an assistant prosecutor in 1981 and worked for Prosecutor Lynn Slaby, currently an Ohio Public Utility Commissioner, Prosecutor Maureen O'Connor, currently Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court and the current Prosecutor, Sherri Bevan Walsh. Mr. Bogdanoff argued 20 cases before the Ohio Supreme Court including six death penalty cases. He acted as a police legal advisor to numerous law enforcement agencies reviewing search warrants and providing legal advice on search and seizure. During that period he taught at law enforcement seminars for the Summit County Prosecutor and did training classes for the Akron police department, Summit County Sheriff, and surrounding jurisdictions. Mr. Bogdanoff first developed an interest in ethics and professionalism when he participated on a task force with the Ohio Ethics commission and United States Attorney’s Offices investigating corruption in Summit County government. This investigation resulted in felony convictions for high ranking employees of Summit County and contractors employed by the county. In 2002 he was honored as the Summit County Prosecutor employee of the year. After 30 years of public service, in 2008 he retired from the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and became a continuing education presenter for attorneys, prosecutors, police officers, legal administrators and numerous other groups. In 2013 Mr. Bogdanoff was appointed as an independent consultant on a police shooting involving 13 police officers in Cleveland, Ohio by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty writing a 67 page report detailing whether 13 police officers used excessive force. He is licensed to practice law in Ohio and various federal courts. He lives in Copley, Ohio with his wife and has three sons.

This program is being offered by the Columbus Bar Association in partnership with Ohio Metro Bar Associations.