Judicial Perspectives: Credibility from the Bench – What Persuades Nevada Judges
- Course description: This CLE will offer a candid, practical conversation with Nevada judges about one of the most important—and least formally taught—aspects of advocacy: credibility. Rather than focusing on courtroom “dos and don’ts,” the program will give attorneys insight into how judges experience and evaluate lawyers in the courtroom and what makes an advocate persuasive and trustworthy.
- Topics:
- Building Credibility with the Court – How preparation, candor, professionalism, judgment, and respect shape a judge’s confidence in an attorney.
- What Judges Find Persuasive – Effective oral advocacy, knowing the record and the law, addressing difficult facts, answering questions directly, and knowing when enough has been said.
- How Lawyers Lose Credibility – Overstating the law or record, avoiding difficult questions, failing to acknowledge adverse authority, unnecessary conflict with opposing counsel, and other common mistakes.
- Handling Mistakes and Difficult Moments – What judges expect when an attorney does not know an answer, makes an error, faces a difficult question, or receives an unfavorable ruling.
- Professionalism as Advocacy – Why interactions with opposing counsel, courtroom staff, clients, and the court can affect an attorney’s professional reputation.
- The Reputation Effect – How credibility develops over time, what judges remember about attorneys, and how an attorney’s reputation can influence future courtroom interactions.
- Perspectives from the Bench – Judges will share practical observations about what newer lawyers often underestimate, what distinguishes effective advocates, and what they wish attorneys understood earlier in their careers.
- The program will be structured as an interactive bench conversation rather than a traditional lecture, with candid discussion among the judges, practical examples, rapid-fire questions, and audience Q&A.
- Panelists:
- Judge Carli Kierny
- Judge Bita Yeager
- Judge Colleen Brown
- Judge Jacob Reynolds
- Judge Tina Talim
- Moderator: Sagar Raich, Esq., of Raich Law
- When: Thursday, Thursday, October 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 – Check-in & networking, and complimentary lunch for the first 50 people
- 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. CLE program
- Where: In-Person at Eighth Judicial District Court, Courtroom 14A, 200 Lewis Ave, Las Vegas, NV. This is an in-person CLE program, alternative format is not available.
- Offers: 1.0 general credit for Nevada lawyers
- Attendance: This CLE program is complimentary to all members of the State Bar of NV and current law students at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law.
- RSVP to CCBA before 10/14/2026: Complete form below or contact CCBA at donnaw@clarkcountybar.org, 702-387-6011
Special CLE Program Hosts:
Clark County Bar Association
South Asian Bar Association Las Vegas
Sponsor: