A pre-recorded streaming video replay of the August 2021 webcast, Logic and Argumentation for Lawyers.
Topics Covered
Do you reason logically? Can you build a compelling argument? All lawyers have to convince someone of something sometimes whether in contract negotiations or litigation, but some lawyers are more convincing than others. In this cerebral program, learn how to:
- Recognize at least 16 logical fallacies;
- Construct more compelling arguments;
- Identify logical flaws in your opponent’s argument, as well as your own;
- Use categorical, conditional, and disjunctive syllogisms in legal arguments;
- Boost your confidence in arguing for your client;
- Build credibility; and
- Improve the quality of your work.
Featuring Lenné Espenschied, renowned drafting attorney and author of Contract Drafting: Powerful Prose in Transactional Practice and The Grammar and Writing Handbook for Lawyers
This powerful new program helps you develop a practical, working knowledge of the principles of classical logic and argumentation. “Logic” is the study of the principles of sound reasoning; “argumentation” is the process of reasoning systematically to support a proposition. First, you learn to recognize, use, or refuse ten common informal logical fallacies in litigation and in contract negotiations. Next, you learn how to use classical logical syllogisms to construct arguments, and how to identify six formal logical fallacies that undermine your credibility and reduce your chances for success. You are able to use this information to construct more compelling arguments and to enhance your credibility in litigation, in transactional practice, and even in casual conversations.
Learn the following, and more:
- How principles of classical logic can help you argue more convincingly;
- 10 informal logical fallacies;
- The differences between categorical, conditional, and disjunctive syllogisms, and when to use each;
- How to construct a valid syllogism, with examples from SCOTUS cases;
- 6 formal logical fallacies, and how to avoid them;
- When to use deductive reasoning; and
- When to use inductive reasoning.