DIRECT examination - Directs, Part I: Hosting a Conversation

Professor Wes Porter discusses direct examination - specifically what he describes as "hosting a conversation" through "a sequential flow of open-ended questions to tell as story." This is Part I of a 3-part series. Professor Wes Porter served as a trial attorney with the Department of Justice's Criminal Division, Fraud Section, in Washington D.C., the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii and the JAG Corps for the U.S. Navy stationed in the Trial Service Office Pacific. After lecturing, coaching mock trial and teaching as an adjunct professor for years, he moved to academia full-time teaching courses in Evidence, Criminal Law and Procedure, and skills courses like Trial Advocacy. Professor Porter earned tenure, became a full professor of law, and led a center devoted to litigation and trial skills training. Professor Porter still teaches in law schools and trains lawyers new to the profession but he also presides over trials as a judge. To contact Professor Porter with questions, you may email him at [email protected]. Aloha, WRP