NITA Seminar: National Session

Brought to you in an entirely new format, the 2012 National Session is like never before.  Though the program will still take place in beautiful Boulder, CO and continues to bring in the very best and brightest NITA faculty members from across the country, the programming within this year's National Session is groundbreaking. 

Throughout the program you will use NITA's learning-by-doing method to practice and perfect your skills in the challenging arts of trial advocacy and persuasion. In a simulated trial setting you will be performing:

• Opening statements and closing arguments
• Direct and cross examinations of fact and expert witnesses
• Impeachment
• Voir Dire
• Oral advocacy skills

To signify the end of the first "half" of the program you will conduct a bench trial.  In the days immediately following the bench trial you will go through intensive workshops on jury selection, including the use of focus groups.  Before your presentations you will have a chance to see demonstrations of experienced lawyers conducting focus groups and performing open jury selection.  These workshops will also be videoed giving you the opportunity for video review with faculty.  Other than NITA's Advanced Trial Program this is the only place these courtroom simulations are offered.

The program finishes with you performing full jury trial, once as counsel and once as a witness.  After the trial you'll get to watch real jurors deliberate via closed circuit TV, and upon hearing their verdict, have a chance to ask them questions and hear their feedback.

Click here to register and for more information. 

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.