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The Litigation Section invites you to this FREE Lunch & Learn webinar:
Conquering Problems and Pitfalls
in Practicing Before Texas State and Federal Judges
Presented by Justice Chari Kelly, Judge Christine Stetson & Jennifer Doan
LIVE October 6, 2026 || 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Materials:
Course Outline
Presentation Slides
Article: Tips & Tricks for Effective Cross-Examination and Witness Impeachment by Chari Kelly
Article: ‘Serious Matter’: 5th Circuit Weighs Reassignment After Judge Used AI to Draft Ruling
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Course number: 174337487
Approved for MCLE and
State Bar
College Accredited Hours:
1.25 Hours (incl .50 ethics hours)
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Course Description. When
you’re handling a complex case, wouldn’t it be helpful to get inside the
judge’s head—to understand what the court needs from you to cut through the
complexity and present your most important facts and arguments clearly,
concisely, and persuasively? Join U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine Stetson,
Justice Chari Kelly, and trial attorney Jennifer Doan for a candid conversation
about what effective advocates do well—and the pitfalls judges wish lawyers
would avoid. From courtroom preparation and professional reputation to ethical
dilemmas and the rapidly changing role of artificial intelligence in
litigation, the panel will offer practical guidance for practicing before both
state and federal courts. They’ll also look ahead at the future of the
profession, including how experienced lawyers can prepare the next generation
of advocates to succeed in the courtroom.
Meet our presenters:
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Justice Chari L. Kelly has served on Texas’s Third Court of Appeals since 2019. Before joining the court, she served as a felony prosecutor and Assistant Attorney General and was a paratrooper and captain in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, where she practiced as a defense attorney. She is double Board Certified in Judicial Administration and Criminal Law and has taught advocacy at the University of Texas School of Law for nearly 20 years. She currently serves as secretary for the Litigation section and has served as president of both the Austin Bar Association and Austin Young Lawyers Association. Justice Kelly has been recognized by both the Texas Young Lawyers Association and AYLA as “Mentor of the Year.”
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Judge Christine L. Stetson has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Texas since 2021, sitting in the Beaumont and Lufkin Divisions. Before taking the bench, she spent nearly three decades as a trial lawyer handling a wide range of complex civil litigation, including commercial disputes, civil rights, securities, professional liability, construction, personal injury, and mass tort matters. She serves as Vice Chair of the Litigation Section and is a frequent CLE speaker on trial practice and federal-court issues. Her judge-specific court rules emphasize civility, professionalism, candor, and meaningful compliance with the court’s meet-and-confer requirements.
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Jennifer Haltom Doan is a nationally recognized trial and appellate lawyer and founding partner of Haltom & Doan, with more than 57 civil jury trials to verdict. Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law, she represents Fortune 100 companies and individuals in complex, high-stakes litigation and has secured jury wins for clients including Amazon, Yahoo, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Recognized as one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers, Jennifer is the immediate past National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and a past Chair of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. |