Mosaic Theory of Litigation; Direct and Cross-Examinations; Pretrial Evidentiary Motions; Depositions; Bench Trials with John K. Villa, Partner, Williams & Connolly LLP
Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Steven S. Kaufman Family Anatomy of a Trial Lecture Series
Event Description
The Steven S. Kaufman Family Anatomy of a Trial Lecture Series presents legendary litigator John K. Villa—described by The American Lawyer as “the lawyers’ lawyer”—presents a masterclass in trial advocacy through his signature framework: the Mosaic Theory of Litigation.
With few exceptions, Villa argues, there is no single objective narrative that explains a case—only competing, persuasive stories. Great trial lawyers don’t just recite facts; they shape them. Drawing from a figurative “bucket” of case facts, the skilled litigator selects those elements that build a logical, compelling and defensible story—one that resonates deeply with the factfinder, whether judge or jury. Once that story is believed, every incoming fact either reinforces the mosaic or gets discarded. In essence, trial is a competition between lawyers to win both the heart and mind of the factfinder through the power of narrative.
In this presentation, Villa will share the concrete steps attorneys should consider at the outset of litigation to construct a persuasive trial narrative. He will demonstrate how to apply this mosaic approach across essential stages of trial practice: from strategic use of direct and cross-examinations, to shaping pretrial evidentiary motions, approaching depositions with purpose, and preparing effectively for bench trials.
Known for representing the nation’s top law firms and navigating some of the most complex legal disputes in the country, Villa brings a unique lens on what makes an advocate not just effective—but unforgettable.
A networking reception will follow the lecture. The event is pending approval for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit.
Speaker Bio
John K. Villa is a partner at Williams & Connolly who served on the firm’s Executive Committee from 2002 through 2017. Villa is Co-Chair of the firm’s Financial Services and Banking Practice Group. He focuses on corporate, securities and financial services-related litigation (both civil and criminal) and legal malpractice defense.
In June 2024-2025, Chambers named Villa a “Star Individual,” the publication’s highest honor, in its first-ever USA rankings in the category Law Firm Defense citing client reports that “John is the ultimate lawyers’ lawyer.” The Financial Times writes, “John Villa, of Williams & Connolly in Washington, has a reputation for being the lawyer that law firms turn to when in a spot of bother.” The American Lawyer has called him “perhaps the premier [legal] malpractice defense lawyer in the nation.” The Washington Post reports “John Villa of...Williams & Connolly [is] the lawyer and firm that lawyers and law firms turn to when they’re in trouble,” and describes him as “a litigator who has gained national prominence with a somewhat rare specialty: defending top-flight law firms in trouble.” Villa was named to The National Law Journal's list of "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" as "the first lawyer that other attorneys and law firms turn to when caught up in the S&L and banking scandals." In its 2014 list of "6 Firms to Have on Speed Dial if Malpractice Trouble Hits," Law360 puts Williams & Connolly and John Villa first. Villa was named Washington D.C.’s Banking and Finance “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America in 2017, 2020 and 2023. He has represented a substantial number of the largest law firms in the United States, but does not disclose his clients.
Villa was listed as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in America by Benchmark Litigation. He has argued before every federal court of appeals and the highest courts of three states and appeared in the federal or state courts of more than twenty states.
The PLC Global Counsel’s Handbook calls him “an exceptional banking, financial and corporate governance litigator.” In 2012-22, Chambers identified him in Tier 1 nationally for Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement and Investigations), among the leading lawyers nationally in Securities Litigation (2012-17) and Tier 1 in the District of Columbia for General Commercial Litigation and Securities Litigation (2012-18). Chambers says “John Villa is the ‘first name to come to mind for financial services litigation matters’” and identified him as lawyer who "deserves special recognition" for his prowess in the financial services area and his "excellent reputation" in the DC litigation Bar.
Event Location
Thwing Excelsior Ballroom
11111 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
