Cliff Atkinson


I’ve lived in 32 places in my life. I was a nomad traveling the world for 1.5 years before moving to my current home of NYC. Why the rolling stone? Partly because I was born to a military dad from Rio Hondo, Texas and a mom from Cologne, Germany. Partly from being a military officer myself for 6 years. But mostly from a love of adventure and new experiences. My senior year of high school in San Antonio I was named the Texas State headline writing champion, and wondered what in the world I could do with that title. Years later, I can see the gold medal was recognition of an ability to find the story amid the facts, distill complexity to its essence, and get a message across with creativity and style. It has served me well through a variety of communications positions, and finally to venture on my own as a consultant 20 years ago. Besides helping trial attorneys persuade juries with blockbuster opening statements, I continue to love traveling the world, hiking the national parks, and biking the 7-mile loop around Central Park every afternoon.

Cliff Atkinson
Cliff Atkinson

Visual Advocacy/PowerPoint Mastery Bootcamp

In this first-of-its-kind workshop & competition, the leading expert on using PowerPoint in trial will coach a select group of 10 trial attorneys to create a 15-minute opening statement they will deliver during lunch on Saturday, May 20. Attendees will vote on the top awards including:

  • Best Visuals
  • Best Delivery
  • Best Theme
  • Most Memorable Metaphor
  • Strongest Start
  • Most Convincing Case
  • Best Use of Physical Props

To prepare for the Throwdown, Cliff will coach participants in two 3-hour sessions in the 2 days prior, with a focus on:

May 18: Strategy, structure and storyboarding

May 19: Theming, graphics and delivery

Bring your case materials for an upcoming case and take advantage of this rare opportunity to get personal consulting directly from the guy who wrote the book on PowerPoint. There will be two zoom meet ups to prep.

Recommended Prerequisite: Review Cliff’s book, Beyond Bullet Points (Microsoft Press, 2018)

About the instructor: Trial consultant Cliff Atkinson helps lawyers find the visuals that create emotions and stories that get your best verdict. He is the author of 5 bestselling books on creative storytelling, now translated into a dozen languages, and he speaks all over the world at business schools, tech conferences, and legal associations. Cliff has worked on over 120 legal cases, including a war crimes court of the United Nations. He synthesizes the discipline from his service as an Air Force Officer, the business savvy from his MBA, and the ability to creatively distill information from his journalism education.

TLU Live HB Agenda

Pre-Event Party
5/16 — Tues. — 6:00pm

Pre Event Party at the Presidential Suite, Pasea: Drinks, Appetizers, Poker Tournament. Hosted by: Priority LawRank, Smart Advocate

Cabana Pregame Poolside
5/17 — Wedn. — 12:00pm - 4:30pm

Hosted by Nick Coulson and Jose Robles

Jury Duty
5/17 — Wedn. — 8:00am - 5:00pm

You're invited to sit in as a juror and give feedback to presenter

Registration & Opening Pary
5/17 — Wedn. — 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Sponsored by Parris Law Firm, Claggett & Sykes, Priority Responsible Funding, Lee Isaacs Band sponsored by Walker Advertising