The Opening Is the Trial: Ask the Gray Questions, Build the Case That Matters, Give the Jury the Truth

Commonwealth of Virginia Paralegal Association (CVPA)

The course will go over how a personal injury case goes through the Commonwealth (state) of Virginia’s courts, and the rules and procedures etc, that need to be followed in those courts.

Session Agenda: Commonwealth-of-Virginia-Paralegal-Association-November-13-2026-CLE-Agenda-.docx

Learning Objectives:

Objective 1: Understand How an Opening-First Approach Transforms Personal Injury Litigation
Participants will learn how to use the anticipated opening statement as a blueprint for preparing a personal injury case, from initial client intake and investigation through discovery, depositions, and trial. This approach emphasizes identifying the central issues early and ensuring that each stage of litigation advances a cohesive case narrative.
Objective 2: Apply the Four Gray Questions to Develop a Compelling Personal Injury Case
Participants will learn how to apply four foundational questions to personal injury litigation: (1) Why is this case important to the jury? (2) What trust was betrayed? (3) What human value was taken? and (4) Why are we at trial? Participants will explore how these questions help identify critical evidence, develop case themes, and communicate the human consequences of negligence.
Objective 3: Learn How to Tell the Human Story Behind a Personal Injury Case
Participants will learn how to move beyond medical bills, diagnoses, and other traditional measures of damages to identify and communicate the full human impact of an injury. Through practical examples, participants will explore how evidence, witness testimony, and storytelling can demonstrate what was taken from an injured person and why that loss matters.

CLE Hours = 1 Substantive