NITA Seminar: Building Trial Skills

Participants in Building Trial Skills will use NITA's learning-by-doing method to practice and perfect their skills in the challenging arts of trial advocacy and persuasion. In a simulated trial setting they will be performing:

• Opening statements and closing arguments
• Impeachment
• Direct & cross-examinations
• Expert witness examinations
• Communication skills: thinking on your feet

Following the live and videotaped performances participants will be given feedback and critique from the renowned NITA faculty. To conclude the program, participants will execute a full jury trial, getting to watch real jurors deliberate via closed circuit TV and then have a chance to ask them questions and hear their feedback.

 Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell is the founding sponsor of a National Institute of Trial Advocacy scholarship program for public service lawyers. This scholarship will cover full tuition and need-based travel assistance for four public service attorneys who represent those in communities of people who traditionally are unable to afford legal services. For more information about this scholarship program, click here.