Litigation Skills Series: Trial Advocacy
Join us at Trial Advocacy to refresh the four fundamental trial skills: Opening Statements, Direct Examinations, Cross-Examinations, and Closing Arguments. Each topic will begin with a lecture by an expert trainer and a demonstration by skilled litigators showing how to put the lesson into practice. Then we will move to small-group breakout rooms, where each attendee will get up and practice the skill of the day. Breakout room facilitators will offer individualized, constructive feedback to each participant. Attendees should plan to spend some time between each session to prepare for the on-your-feet breakout sessions.
Our fact pattern features a Domestic Relations case, but you need not know anything about substantive law in this area to benefit from the training.
View the 2026 Litigation Skills Series Trial Advocacy Schedule. Given the current state of practice, which is especially demanding, we are keeping this training in a hybrid format. We hope this balances the goals of learning important skills alongside your peers without keeping you away from your clients or work for too much time! We look forward to feedback after the training!
If you have any questions about the schedule, please email Chris Marin at cmarin@wclawyers.org.
For Washington Council of Lawyers members, this comprehensive Trial Advocacy training costs just $165. For non-members, the cost is $265. (Join Washington Council of Lawyers to take advantage of the discounted member rates.)
Scholarships are available, thanks to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation, to grantee organizations. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online scholarship form in lieu of registration. Check the list of DC Bar Foundation Grantees if you’re unsure if you qualify for a scholarship. If you are working for any of these organizations when registering for Litigation Skills Series trainings, please submit your registration through the scholarship request form on the registration page.
CLE credits are pending for this training for CA, NY, and NJ.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: Register by Monday, May 4 at 5:00 pm ET.