Iowa CLE - Trial Skills Courses
This is a listing of Trial Skills CLE Courses for Iowa. Please make your selection below of Iowa CLE courses. Click "Add To Cart" to purchase Individual CLE Courses. For more information about a particular CLE course, click on the "More Info" link. Click the "Preview" button to view a short preview of the course.
Iowa CLE
Accreditation Info
United Institute for Continuing Legal Education is a provider of accredited CLE courses throughout the country. To view our full accreditation details please .
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Live WebinarWednesday, November 11, 20261:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern Time (EDT)
Live Webinar: Effective Representation of Veterans Before the VA: Dos, Don’ts, and Best Practices
A full description of this course will be coming soon. Stay tuned! More Info
$291General Credit -
Live WebinarTuesday, November 17, 202611:00 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time (EDT)
Live Webinar: From Demand to Trial: Taking the Catastrophic Personal Injury Case to the Finish Line
A full description of this course will be coming soon. Stay tuned! More Info
$291General Credit -
Live WebinarFriday, November 20, 20262:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time (EDT)
Live Webinar: Empowering the Family Law Client Through Support
Effective family law representation requires attorneys to navigate both the legal issues of a case and the emotional challenges clients may face throughout the process. This CLE program explores techniques for communicating with clients in distress, understanding the motivations behind their decisions, and keeping the case focused on their legal objectives. The discussion also covers strategies for obtaining complete and timely client disclosures, preparing clients for each phase of li... More Info
$291General Credit -
Live WebinarThursday, December 10, 20262:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time (EDT)
Live Webinar: A Matter of Life and Death: Strategies and Tactics for Defending a Homicide Case
Defending a homicide prosecution requires a distinct approach to case strategy, preparation, and trial advocacy, with decisions that can have profound and lasting consequences. This CLE program explores the challenges unique to homicide defense, including how to develop a cohesive defense strategy, select effective tactics, and prepare a case for trial. The presentation will address the demands of trial advocacy in homicide cases, key differences between federal and state prosecutions, and con... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Napkin Litigation Framework: An Operational Method for Reconstructing Fragmented Economic Disputes
This CLE examines the challenges attorneys face when business relationships, ownership interests, property rights, and financial arrangements are created through informal agreements or incomplete documentation. Using the Napkin Litigation Framework™, the program provides a practical methodology for analyzing these disputes, developing an evidentiary record, and transforming competing narratives into legally supportable claims. The course will address strategies for conducting effective... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Medical Malpractice: Making the Case Through the Defendant and Their Experts
Medical malpractice litigation often turns on what was documented, what was communicated, and what the medical record ultimately reveals about the care provided. This CLE program will examine how communication with patients and the accuracy and completeness of medical records can affect the development, defense, and presentation of a malpractice claim. The program will address the legal and practical responsibilities of health care providers concerning patient communications and medical... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Real Lessons for Lawyers in Film: Part 2
Drawing on scenes from well-known films, this CLE program examines how courtroom portrayals can provide meaningful insights into effective litigation strategy and trial advocacy. Through a series of carefully selected movie clips, attendees will analyze practical techniques for witness examination, evidentiary presentation, case development, and persuasive courtroom advocacy, with a primary emphasis on plaintiff-side litigation. Designed as a continuation of the concepts introduced in t... More Info
$551.5General Credits -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
The Effective Use of Private Investigators in Litigation: From Investigation to Trial
Private investigators can be a critical resource in building a case but effectively using them requires attorneys to understand the rules governing investigative work, attorney-investigator communications, and the handling of investigative materials. This CLE course examines how to engage and work with private investigators throughout the litigation process, from defining the scope of an investigation and protecting work-product privilege to navigating ethical obligations and avoiding... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Caught on the Cellphone: Using Cellphone Evidence in Court Proceedings
Cellphones routinely capture communications and events that can become pivotal evidence in civil, criminal, and family law matters. Whether the evidence consists of text messages, call logs, photographs, social media content, or audio and video recordings, attorneys must understand how to properly obtain, authenticate, and present this digital information while addressing evidentiary and privacy concerns. This CLE program provides a practical overview of the legal framework governing ce... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
The Human Side of Lawyering: Humor, Connection, and Credibility
Humor is rarely discussed as a core lawyering skill, yet when used appropriately it can be a powerful asset in legal practice. Based on decades of experience handling police and government misconduct claims, personal injury litigation, and criminal defense matters, this program examines how strategic, well-timed humor can enhance advocacy, strengthen professional credibility, and improve communication with clients, colleagues, and decision-makers. Using practical examples drawn from cou... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Civil Trial Practice: Practical Trial Techniques, Evidentiary Strategy, and Courtroom Survival
This CLE program offers a practical and engaging look at effective trial advocacy, with a focus on developing smart evidentiary strategies. The course will examine how to assess and select evidence that strengthens your case, anticipate evidentiary challenges before they arise, and make strategic decisions about whether certain evidence should be introduced at all. Through real-world examples and humorous stories from practice, the program highlights important trial lessons in a memora... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Federal Court Fact Depositions: Strategy, Preparation, and Practice
This CLE program offers a practice-focused examination of fact depositions in federal civil litigation and the procedural framework established by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Designed for litigators at all experience levels, the course addresses the strategic use of depositions during discovery, including how attorneys can effectively prepare witnesses, develop testimony objectives, and protect the record during examination. The program reviews the practical application of Rul... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
In the Key of Justice: What Musicians Can Teach Trial Lawyers
This unique CLE course explores the connection between trial advocacy and musical performance, examining how skills like listening, timing, improvisation, authenticity, and collaboration shape persuasive communication. Drawing on lessons from jazz and the courtroom, the program offers practical techniques attorneys can use to strengthen witness examinations, opening and closing arguments, negotiations, and client relationships. Participants will learn how to: Improve communication thro... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Medical Malpractice Litigation: Plaintiff, Defense & Expert Perspectives
This CLE program presents a practical examination of medical malpractice litigation from both plaintiff and defense viewpoints, emphasizing the key components involved in developing, evaluating, and challenging claims. The course explores effective methods for obtaining and reviewing medical records, including electronically stored information (ESI) and EMR audit data, to identify important details, metadata, and facts that can shape case strategy. The program also addresses cur... More Info
$551.5General Credits -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Litigating Federal Civil Rights Claims Against Law Enforcement: Excessive Force and Beyond
This CLE program offers an in-depth exploration of federal civil rights actions brought against law enforcement officers for alleged excessive force and related constitutional violations. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the legal theories that drive these cases, the defenses most often asserted—including immunity doctrines—and the procedural and strategic considerations that can shape outcomes. Through a practical, litigation-focused lens, the course will equip both plain... More Info
$552General Credits -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Excessive Force Update: New Case Law
Excessive force litigation continues to evolve through a steady stream of new judicial decisions. This CLE program examines recent and emerging excessive force cases, including significant rulings that may only be available in advance sheets. Through a detailed analysis of the underlying facts and courts' reasoning, attendees will gain insight into how fact-specific circumstances often drive outcomes in this area of law. In addition, the program will provide an overview of the Use of Fo... More Info
$552General Credits -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Asking Questions That Stick: Mastering Form and Avoiding Objections
Attorneys who conduct depositions, evidentiary hearings, or trials know that the effectiveness of an examination often depends on the form of the question being asked. Even strong testimony can be undermined by poorly phrased questions that invite objections or fail to elicit clear, admissible answers. In this practical CLE program, Judge Greenberg draws on extensive judicial and teaching experience to examine the rules of evidence governing common objections to the form of questions. P... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
From Screen to Courtroom: Practical Trial Lessons for Litigators from Film
This CLE program takes a practical, skills-oriented approach to trial advocacy by analyzing selected film scenes that depict litigation in action. Drawing from a curated set of movies, the session uses dramatized portrayals to surface real-world lessons on strategy, courtroom dynamics, and professional judgment. Participants will explore multiple subject areas through these examples, assessing what the films get right—and where they diverge from actual practice. Designed to be both inst... More Info
$551.5General Credits -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
So You Think You Want to Be a Criminal Defense Lawyer? A Practical Guide from First Meeting to Final Plea
This CLE program provides a practical roadmap of a criminal case through the lens of defense counsel, following the progression of a matter from the initial client meeting through plea discussions and critical case deadlines. Attendees will examine major stages of representation, including arraignments and bail issues, discovery practice, speedy trial considerations, affirmative defenses, motion practice, scheduling concerns, and strategic case management decisions. Geared toward newer... More Info
$552General Credits -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Strategic Pretrial Litigation in Criminal Defense
Pretrial practice in criminal cases is often narrower in scope than in civil litigation, but it remains a critical component of an effective defense strategy. When used deliberately, pretrial motions can do far more than resolve discrete legal issues—they can shape the trajectory of a case from its earliest stages. This CLE program examines how criminal defense attorneys can approach pretrial litigation with greater strategic intent. It highlights the value of motion practice beyond sim... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury: A Lawyer’s Guide to Working Effectively with Medical Experts
This CLE program offers a strategic, practice-oriented guide to working with medical expert witnesses from initial case assessment through trial. It focuses on how attorneys can effectively integrate medical expertise into their litigation strategy, ensuring that expert analysis is both credible and aligned with case theory. Participants will examine best practices for identifying and vetting qualified experts, managing communications to preserve clarity and privilege, and developing op... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
The Law of Self-Defense and Defense of Others: The Daniel Penny Prosecution
This CLE program offers a practical analysis of People v. Daniel Penny, focusing on how high-profile criminal cases are investigated, litigated, and perceived in a media-driven environment. Using the subway incident as a case study, the course examines key factual developments, charging decisions, and the influence of widespread public attention on both prosecution and defense strategy. Participants will explore critical components of trial practice, including pre-trial motion strategy,... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
When Self-Defense Is on Trial: Inside High-Profile Case Strategy
This CLE program examines the full lifecycle of a self-defense case, offering a practice-oriented roadmap from client intake through trial resolution. The session focuses on how defense counsel can proactively develop a self-defense theory by conducting targeted investigations, assessing case materials, and making strategic decisions early that carry through to verdict. The course addresses key tactical issues, including collaborating effectively with investigators, analyzing video foot... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
"So, Do I Have to Go to Jail?” Ethical Considerations for Prosecutors and Defense Counsel at Sentencing
One of the most consequential questions in any criminal case is simple: “So, do I have to go to jail?” For defense counsel, this question often comes from a client confronting the possibility of incarceration. For prosecutors, it reflects the gravity of decisions surrounding sentencing recommendations and the exercise of discretion. This program examines the ethical considerations and professional responsibilities that arise when attorneys address the prospect of incarceration. The cour... More Info
$341Ethics Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Francis Scott Key Bridge Allision Litigation Update: Jurisdiction & Limitation of Liability
This CLE program provides a substantive update on the ongoing Francis Scott Key Bridge allision litigation, In re Petition of Grace Ocean Private Limited, et al., Civ. No. 24-0941-JKB (D. Md.), pending in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The presentation examines the procedural posture of the case and analyzes key issues arising under the federal Limitation of Liability Act, 46 U.S.C. §§ 30501–30530. Particular attention will be given to the historical purp... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
The PI Lien Playbook: Legal, Ethical, and Practical Strategies
This CLE program examines the intricate legal and ethical landscape governing personal injury lien resolution. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how to identify and analyze a wide range of lien interests, including medical providers, government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and other third-party claimants. The course emphasizes strategic approaches to lien negotiation and reduction, along with best practices for ensuring compliance with applicable laws and professio... More Info
$652Total Credits1 Ethics -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Small Cases, Big Skills: Mastering Litigation Under $25,000
This CLE program provides a practical proving ground for lawyers seeking to strengthen their courtroom capabilities. The program explores how working within streamlined civil dockets allows practitioners to develop disciplined litigation habits that carry over to more complex and higher-exposure cases. The course emphasizes transferable advocacy skills—case assessment, drafting and responding to pleadings, motion argument, evidentiary foundations, witness examination, and procedural nav... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
The Playbook for Winning Sport Liability Cases
Built on more than 30 years of practice and analysis of 300+ matters involving sports and entertainment liability, this CLE program offers a practical roadmap for litigating complex, high-exposure sports injury cases. The course examines how successful practitioners develop case strategy from intake through trial, with a particular focus on the effective use of expert testimony, targeted discovery tactics, and the role of industry standards in proving or defending liability. Participant... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
False Claims Act: Civil & Criminal Strategies
This CLE program examines the strategic drivers behind government enforcement actions under the False Claims Act and the considerations that influence how these cases are investigated, charged, and resolved. Participants will gain insight into the government’s objectives in pursuing FCA matters and how those motivations shape litigation posture and settlement dynamics. The course provides a practical defense roadmap, addressing early case assessment, risk mitigation, and strategies desi... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Modern Criminal Law Practice: Updates and Evidentiary Challenges
This CLE program offers a comparative, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction examination of how recent criminal law reforms are reshaping practice in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and California. The course focuses on legislative and judicial developments that materially affect how cases are charged, litigated, and resolved, including changes to substantive offenses, sentencing and resentencing authority, bail and pretrial release standards, probation and diversion programs, and victims’ rights statut... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Four + Ethics Challenges for Civil Litigators
Ethical issues in civil litigation most often arise not from intentional misconduct, but from routine strategic decisions made under time pressure. This CLE program examines four critical ethics challenges—and a fifth, overarching obligation—that regularly confront civil litigators in today’s practice. The course reviews foundational principles of professional responsibility and applies them to common litigation scenarios, including the ethical limits of client witness preparation. It a... More Info
$651.5Ethics Credits -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Preparing Vulnerable Witnesses for Testimony
This CLE program offers practical guidance for attorneys who represent survivors of domestic violence and other vulnerable or apprehensive witnesses in contested proceedings. The course focuses on effective preparation for testimony, including techniques for fostering client confidence, developing clear and credible testimony themes, and navigating the challenges of rigorous cross-examination. Participants will also gain insight into refining their own courtroom approach to better supp... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Your Client’s Story: Connecting with the Jury from Opening to Closing
This CLE program examines the strategic role of opening statements and closing arguments in jury trials. These moments provide counsel with a critical opportunity to humanize the client, frame the facts, and reinforce a compelling theory of the case. Given the unique dynamics of every trial, lawyers often struggle to find consistency and confidence in crafting effective openings and closings. This course will outline practical principles and proven techniques to help attorneys present... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
The Evolution and Devolution of Civility
This CLE program takes a critical look at the changing expectations of professional conduct within the legal community and the growing concern over declining civility in legal practice. As disputes have become more aggressive and interactions with opposing counsel, courts, and clients increasingly strained, judges have relied more heavily on ethical rules and disciplinary bodies to police attorney behavior. The outcomes of these efforts—particularly in large, high-volume jurisdictions—have bee... More Info
$341Ethics Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Cracking the Code: An Introduction to Federal Court Procedure
This CLE program offers a practical introduction to navigating civil litigation in the federal courts, with a focus on the procedural frameworks that govern cases from filing through motion practice. Participants will examine the foundations of federal jurisdiction, including subject matter and personal jurisdiction, along with an overview of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and relevant local rules. The course addresses how federal cases are commenced, managed, and challenged, and p... More Info
$291General Credit -
On-DemandOnline & iOS/Android App
Shaping Deposition Testimony to Win Your Case
A well-executed deposition is often a critical turning point in litigation. This CLE program offers a hands-on look at how lawyers can guide testimony with purpose, reinforce key legal theories, and steer clear of common missteps that weaken the record. Attendees will develop practical skills to: Confidently prepare lay and expert witnesses for accurate, persuasive statements under oath Conduct depositions that frame the facts on favorable terms and limit room for backtracking Buil... More Info
$551.5General Credits
