Time-tested, proven approach
Trial Skills training first launched 20 years ago. To date we have provided this training at the ABA Center on Children and the Law national conferences, and to over 14 states. We continuously adapt the training materials and techniques to match developments in the field, incorporate evolving concepts of high-quality legal representation, and tailor the program to each jurisdiction.
Interactive training
The training is highly interactive and is designed to enhance and build participants' advocacy skills. Features:
- an advocacy discussion highlighting skills needed to successfully advocate for the child welfare agency, parents, and children
- skill-building exercises adapted to your jurisdiction and facilitated by national child welfare experts
Skills
Participants will learn:
- Strategies to zealously advocate for your clients
- Tips to effectively and efficiently prepare for trial
- Practical resources to build on your knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, including rules of evidence
- How to introduce electronic evidence and other recent evidentiary issues
- Litigation strategies to help focus on how best to support the family and help children achieve permanency faster
Benefits
- Practice and improve your skills in examining and cross-examining witnesses in court
- Gain practical experience working through child welfare case scenarios in a mock trial setting with personalized feedback from experienced national child welfare litigators
- Participants receive continuing legal education (CLE) credit
- Designed to meet your jurisdiction’s needs (View sample agenda)
Tailored Training
Individualized consultation and coordination with jurisdiction to include:
- Meetings with local legal experts to assess needs and ensure delivery of a training to meet those needs
- Review local law and practice; apply to trial skills discussion and exercises.
- Update resource and exercise notebook to reflect local law and practice.
Format & Audience
Various formats are available to meet your needs and tailored to your selected audience:
Attorneys
- Three types of attorneys together: child welfare agency, parents, children
- It is also offered separately for each type of attorney
Attorneys & Caseworkers
- Counties, states, or regions send multidisciplinary teams: agency, parent, and children’s attorneys and 3-4 caseworkers.
- Attorneys and caseworkers attend separate morning discussions, and then join for afternoon trial exercises.
Caseworkers
- Training is also available for caseworkers only.
Sample Agenda
View a Sample Agenda to see how a day of training plays out.
Request Trial Skills
We look forward to bringing Trial Skills training to your state, local jurisdiction, or tribal entity. To learn more and to discuss payment options, including the possibility of using Title IV-E dollars to cover costs, please contact Heidi Redlich Epstein.
References
References are available upon request.