Designing Effective Legal Presentations in PowerPoint

Ronald G. FriesenThe Continuing Legal Education Society of BC

Why PowerPoint?

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Your artistic statement

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We all learn differently

Why PowerPoint?

To support CLEBC LiveWebcasts

PowerPoint

can make things

Move

Why PowerPoint?

Who’s your learner? (Survey)

How many of you - Have used PowerPoint previously?

How many times? Can save a file in Word or Word Perfect? Can drag and drop text? Can cut and paste text? Can change the font type and font size?

Tell me andI will forget!

Show me andI will remember!

Involve me andI will understand!

Who’s the learner? - Confucius says...

Objectives

prepare a presentation with text and graphics

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learn effective delivery

The medium is not the message

Formal

Light hearted

Effective delivery

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Effective delivery

I’ve got my PPT

speaking notes

Work with PowerPoint:

Emphasize points with voice, head, arms, body, fingers

Plan

Create 9 key slides Spice it up End (7 pm)

Create 9 Key Slides

Introduction Title (slide 1) Audience: Who is the learner (slide 2) Objectives (slide 3) Create interest (slide 4) Plan (slide 5)

Body Topic 1 (slide 6) Topic 2 (slide 7) Topic 3 (slide 8)

Closing (slide 9)

Exciting/Interesting Title

Your NameYour Firm

Name of CLE CourseDate of CLE Course

The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC

Title Slide (slide 1)

Audience (Slide 2)Example - commercial negotiation

This presentation is designed for experienced lawyers with solid grounding

in negotiating complex commercial transactions

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Death by PowerPoint

Objectives (slide 3)

It’s not about filling a vessel

It’s about lighting a fire

Objectives: objectives should light a fire of interest in learners.

Objectives

What do you want thelearner

toknow or dodifferently?

ObjectivesExample - commercial negotiation

As a result of this session, you will be able to… List the leading cases and state how they

have changed the law State a strategy for negotiating a complex

transaction using the leading cases Complete a reporting letter to a client that

states your strategy and lays out the options

Create Interest and Plan (slides 4 and 5)Create 9 Key Slides

Introduction Title (slide 1) Audience: Who is the learner (slide 2) Objectives (slide 3) Create interest (slide 4) Plan (slide 5)

Body Topic 1 (slide 6) Topic 2 (slide 7) Topic 3 (slide 8)

Closing (slide 9)

Create interest (slide 4)

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11375837@N05/2208498758/

Photos

Your own or

Flickr attribution

Clip art

Action

Complex Transactions Confuse Clients

Create Interest (Example 1 of 2 - commercial

negotiation)

Clarity Conquers Confusion and Creates Cash

Create Interest (Example 2 of 2 - commercial negotiation)

Develop your plan (slide 5)

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3 – 5 major topics

Developed from your objectives

PlanExample – Commercial negotiation

Note: 3 major topicsNote: topics derived from objectives

Review the leading cases Review and discuss a case study to

develop a strategy for negotiating a complex transaction using the leading cases

Based on the case study, you will identify the major issues to include in a letter to your client that sets out your strategy and the options

Body (slides 6, 7, and 8)Create 9 Key Slides

Introduction Title (slide 1) Audience: Who is the learner (slide 2) Objectives (slide 3) Create interest (slide 4) Plan (slide 5)

Body Topic 1 (slide 6) Topic 2 (slide 7) Topic 3 (slide 8)

Closing (slide 9)

Organize the Body

Body 3-5 major topics that accomplish the

objectives Arrange the major topics in logical order Within each topic, move from general to

specific with each topic Use transitions and cues between each major

topic (e.g. graphics/headings)

Plan

Review the leading cases Review and discuss a case study to

develop a strategy for negotiating a complex transaction using the leading cases

Based on the case study, you will identify the major issues to include in a letter to your client that sets out your strategy and the options

The plan contains the major topics. Each major topic is a different section in your presentation

Example – Commercial negotiation

The Leading Cases

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Example – Commercial negotiation: 1st major topic

Negotiating a complex transaction

In this section, in small groups, you will review and discuss a case study involving a complex commercial transaction.

Then, using the leading cases, you will discuss possible strategies

Example – Commercial negotiation: 2nd major topic

Strategy letter for your client

Based on the case study you just discussed, you will identify the major issues to include in a letter to your client that sets out your strategy and the options

Example – Commercial negotiation: 3rd major topic

Closing (slide 9)Create 9 Key Slides

Introduction Title (slide 1) Audience: Who is the learner (slide 2) Objectives (slide 3) Create interest (slide 4) Plan (slide 5)

Body Topic 1 (slide 6) Topic 2 (slide 7) Topic 3 (slide 8)

Closing (slide 9)

Organize the closing

Closing Summarize the main points Relate the main points to the objectives Point the way ahead (final slide) Wrap up

Summary

Plan your presentation Organize your presentation Use PowerPoint to add spice Practice

Practicejust before

Practice – Slide Show View

Practicewith colleagues

Apply the seat of your pants to the seat of your

chair.

Practice mumble talk

Designing Effective Legal Presentations in PowerPoint

On behalf of theContinuing Legal Education Society of BC

Thank you