April 12-16, 2008
The National Judicial College
Reno, Nevada
You have probably received many brochures advertising various trial education programs. However, the National Trial Academy, sponsored by the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association offers a unique, interactive, diverse program combining today’s latest technology with the Country’s top trial lawyers as personal mentors. Our faculty consists of six defense lawyers, six plaintiffs' lawyers, district judges, supreme court justices, jury consultants, professors and technical engineers who are all seasoned experts in their particular specialties. Affectionately called the Country’s top “Boot Camp for Lawyers” in the September 2002 issue of the ABA Journal, the intense 4½ day program utilizes a wide range of individualized teaching methods and approaches not found anywhere else.
The TIPS Trial Academy will limit participation to just 36 students, approximately 18 each from the plaintiff and defense bars. Employing state of the art technology and instruction, including the use of the recently constructed 21st Century Courtroom, the students will be exposed to a broad array of trial techniques and methodologies ranging from computer animation and litigation software technology to instruction on voir dire by nationally renowned jury consultants.
With a three student per faculty member ratio, students receive the most individualized mentoring available at any trial academy. Moreover, having faculty members and students who represent both sides of the trial bar, students will be critiqued from both perspectives and learn from each other on how to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments as well as schooling on professional and ethical conduct in a courtroom.
The newly renovated National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, is where it all happens. The National Judicial College is where practicing judges from around the world come to be educated in all aspects of trial practice.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Academy curriculum will involve a core case study and will be taught by a faculty
of leading plaintiff and defense trial lawyers from throughout the United States as well as
professors from the National Judicial College. Each faculty member will have responsibility
for three students and will participate interactively through exemplar trial court presentations
as well as constructive feedback including videotape reviews of the students’ performance
in the courtroom.
In addition to individual courtroom presentations, the students will also be provided with lectures and courtroom demonstrations by faculty members on a variety of trial skills including direct and cross examination of medical and scientific witnesses, opening statements, closing arguments and jury selection. Each student will be videotaped while conducting an opening statement and a closing argument. Doctors from the University of Nevada Medical School and engineers from the University’s Engineering Department will serve as expert witnesses. Two nationally renowned jury consultants will assist the students in a mock jury trial that will take place on the final day involving the actual case study involved in the program. Jurors will be selected from the surrounding community and their reactions starting with voir dire and ending with closings will be instantly recorded and computer analyzed with real time technology as the trial progresses. The trial will conclude with televised jury deliberations and a subsequent panel discussion with jurors, faculty members and jury consultants regarding the case presentation by each side.
Several weeks prior to the commencement of the Trial Academy, the students will be sent a complete set of practice materials. The set will contain the core case study including excerpts from depositions, expert reports and other materials necessary to the case. The core case study will form the basis of the program participation and the mock trial. Prior to the commencement of the trial academy, the students will be required to submit a trial brief, jury instructions, and a set of stipulated facts for the trial.
After the trial on Wednesday night, April 16th, there will be a dinner and ceremony honoring all of the students and faculty participants with beautifully engraved plaques for their completion of the academy.
CLE
CLE CREDITS
The students at the National Trial Academy will qualify for Continuing Legal Education
credits in all states. Students who attend the Trial Academy will earn approximately thirty-eight (38) or forty-six (46)hours of state accreditation depending on which state the student
is licensed in, the cost of which is tax deductible.
Faculty
Click here to read more about the esteemed faculty for the Trial Academy.
Hotel
WE PROVIDE ACCOMMODATIONS & MEALS
The Harrah’s Reno Hotel will provide hotel accommodations and meals. The fee for the
Academy is $3,800.00 and it covers hotel accommodations with meals, transportation to
and from the college and the use of the National Judicial College and their state-of-the-art
21st Century courtroom.
Application Process
Download the application form in the brochure and mail it to the address provided on the form, or fax to 312/988-6230.
WHO CAN YOU CONTACT?
To ensure individual teaching and instruction, the enrollment in the TIPS National Trial
Academy is by application only. It is strongly recommended that any person who wishes
to be considered for the 2008 TIPS National Trial Academy apply immediately. Please fill
out the application along with a check payable to the American Bar Association
and return it to Ms. Janet Hummons of the American Bar Association, Director of Meetings
and Continuing Legal Education, TIPS, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610;
telephone number (312) 988-5656.
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations must be made through the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
no later than February 1, 2008, in order to receive a refund less a $1,000.00 cancellation fee.
After February 1, 2008, none of your registration fee will be refunded. However, you will
be allowed to make a suitable substitution to take your place.