11.19.25
Jury Selection - Pitfalls and Strategies
This program will cover key considerations, common pitfalls, and practical strategies involved in the jury selection process. Speakers will share insights from their experience in the courtroom and discuss approaches that can help attorneys prepare for and navigate this critical stage of trial.
Presenters: Kelly Smith and Elana Smith
Kelly Smith is a Senior Deputy District Attorney with over 17 years of experience at the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and is the senior member of the Homicide Team as a 5+ year veteran. Kelly has prosecuted 51 trials, 45 of which were felonies. Kelly has previously served in the Misdemeanor, Juvenile, Truancy, Outlying, Prelim/Home Court, Felony Trial, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault Teams. Kelly is also an Adjunct Professor of Law and teaches Criminal Law and Procedure at the Monterey College of Law. During law school, Kelly interned with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office’s Major Crimes, Prelim, and Juvenile Units. Kelly is a 2006 graduate of Loyola Law School and a 2001 graduate of Claremont McKenna College. Kelly and his wife enjoy hiking in the mountains with their golden retriever, Tucker.
Elana Smith is a Senior Deputy District Attorney on the Homicide Team with over 24 years of experience at the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and was awarded the Prosecutor of the Year in 2023. She also worked at the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, the Fresno Public Defender’s Office and the Alternate Defense Office in Fresno. Elana has prosecuted over 100 jury trials. She has previously served in the Misdemeanor, Juvenile, Coalinga, Fowler, Reedley, Kingsburg and Firebaugh Outlying Courts, Prelims, Felony Trials, VAWA (Violence Against Woman Act) and Domestic Violence Teams. Elana graduated from Southwestern School of Law in Los Angeles and received a BA Degree in Social Ecology (cross between Psychology, Sociology and Criminal Justice) from UC Irvine. Elana enjoys spending time with her husband Steve, her three children, daughter-in-law, and her recently born granddaughter Ava Rose. She enjoys Dodger baseball, escaping to the beach, scrapbooking, and plans to win Survivor someday.
This MCLE is Sponsored by:
Rick Gazipura
MCLE fees are non-refundable unless a cancellation request is made
at least three days before the event.
MCLE credits: The Santa Cruz County Bar Association has certified that this activity has been approved by the State Bar of California for one hour of MCLE credit.