2022 ABA/ABOTA National Trial Academy

The National Trial Academy sponsored by the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) offers a unique, interactive, diverse program combining today’s latest technology with the country’s top trial lawyers as personal mentors. Join TIPS and ABOTA in Reno, Nevada, from September 17-21, 2022 to develop trial skills from some of the nation’s best litigators. With a three student per faculty member ratio, each student will receive individualized and personal mentoring. Only a few spots remain. View the brochure and apply today. 

2022 National Trial Academy Leadership

Director: Fredrick H. L. McClure

Director-Elect: J. D. Smith 

Presiding Judge: Honorable Janet J. Berry

Presiding Judge: Honorable Lynne K. Simons

Here is What Past Attendees Had to Say About Trial Academy

"The Trial Academy was a life-changing experience! From the well thought out live demonstrations to the personalized guidance from the mentors, the Trial Academy should be a requirement for all attorneys seeking to refine their litigation skill set." - Julia Jones Wonnacott - Fidelity National Law Group

"The Trial Academy so closely resembled an actual trial that the participants- faculty and students-lost themselves in the experience: preparing and presenting witnesses, evidence, and arguments with the same passion usually reserved for real clients. Both the technical skills and self-confidence of the students improved daily and the commitment from the indefatigable instructors was unparalleled. It is definitely a worthwhile career investment and experience." Ileana Blanco - DLA Piper LLP (US)

“The ABA-TIPS/ABOTA Trial Academy provides personalized mentoring and training that sharpens advocacy skills for varying levels of experience. The Trial Academy blends a small group instruction format with daily ”hands-on” practice opportunities. The strict faculty selection process guarantees each student will have the benefit of learning strategies from the best and brightest of our nation’s litigators.  The experience is well worth the investment.“ Philippa Ellis, Director 2019 National Trial Academy, In-House - Home Depot

"The TIPS/ABOTA Trial Academy allowed me to observe the talent and techniques of some of the best trial attorneys in the country, receive individualized tips and feedback from my mentor, and practice each phase of a trial in a no-risk setting.  I walked away with a better understanding of the trial process and confidence in my enhanced skills as a trial attorney." Serena M. Warner, Esq. - Angelo, Kilday & Kilduff, LLP

You have 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 and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) 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 five defense lawyers, five plaintiff lawyers, district judges, supreme court justices, jury consultants, professors, and technical engineers who are all seasoned experts in their 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 30 students, approximately 15 each from the plaintiff and defense bars. Employing state of the art technology and instruction, including the use of a 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 presentations on professional and ethical conduct in a courtroom.

The 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.

Academy Highlights

• Offers a unique, interactive, diverse program combining today's latest technology with the Country's top trial lawyers as personal mentors
• Faculty includes expert defense lawyers, plaintiff lawyers, district judges, Supreme Court justices, jury consultants, professors and technical engineers

Apply Now

ABA-TIPS/ABOTA National Trial Academy is by application only. We recommended that any person who wishes to be considered for the 2022 TIPS/ABOTA National Trial Academy apply immediately. Please fill out the attached application and, along with a check payable to the American Bar Association, return it to Janet Hummons, Associate Director of Programming, TIPS, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654; telephone number (312) 988-5656.

CLE Credit

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 Forty (40)  - Forty-nine (49) CLE Credit Hours depending on which state you live in.

The ABA will seek 40.67 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states, and 48.80 hours of CLE credit for this program in 50-minute states including 0.83 hours of CLE Ethics credit in 60-minute states and 1 hours of CLE Ethics credit in 50-minute states as needed. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules. Please visit the program website at ambar.org/tips for program CLE details or visit www.americanbar.org/mcle for general information on CLE at the ABA.

This transitional program is approved for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys in NY. For more information about CLE accreditation in your state, visit ambar.org/tips or contact Theresa Beckom at Theresa [email protected].

COVID-19 Information 

The ABA takes the health and safety of our members, guests, and staff seriously. We know that the decision whether to attend a meeting is based upon a variety of personal and business considerations. We will continue to monitor a variety of sources, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. state and local health authorities for the latest public health updates, as well as applicable restrictions on events and gatherings. The ABA plans to hold this meeting in person, but reserves the right to cancel or reschedule this event, or convert it to a virtual event if health and safety restrictions require it. We will update the registrants and the website should the plans for this event change.

Each in-person attendee is required to read and affirm his/her commitment to comply with the following in-person meeting requirements: 

• By registering for and attending the meeting, I affirm that I will provide, prior to the meeting, either proof of full vaccination as defined by the CDC or a negative viral COVID test administered by a healthcare professional taken within 3 days of my arrival at the meeting. If a shorter interval is required by law, I will comply with the shorter interval testing, as instructed by ABA staff. I will wear my meeting badge (always provided on site after verification of full vaccination or negative viral COVID test) in meeting and event spaces. 
• If I am bringing a guest, including minors under the age of 18, to the meeting, I understand that my guest must be registered using a unique email address for the meeting to be in the meeting space or group functions associated with the event and must submit either proof of full vaccination or negative viral COVID test administered by a healthcare professional taken within 3 days of my guest’s arrival at the meeting.
• By registering a guest, including minors under the age of 18, I understand that my guest may not be allowed to attend certain events or meeting functions. The ABA entity hosting the meeting will communicate which events are available to guests.
• By registering a minor, I understand that I will be required to complete and sign a parental consent form provided by the ABA during on-site registration.  By registering and bringing a minor to the meeting, I understand that I will need to bring either the minor’s proof of full vaccination as defined by the CDC or the minor’s negative viral COVID test administered by a healthcare professional taken within 3 days of my arrival at the meeting. I also understand that I, along with the minor, will not be permitted entry if proof of vaccination or negative viral COVID test is not provided to the ABA staff at on-site registration.
  
• By registering for and attending the meeting, I affirm that I will comply with all CDC, federal, state, local, and venue-specific laws, orders, directives, and guidelines related to COVID and attending the meeting.
• By registering for and attending the meeting, I affirm that I have read and will comply with CDC guidance related to hand sanitation, social distancing, and use of face coverings. I affirm that I will follow any more stringent state, local, or venue requirements related to hand sanitation, social distancing, and use of face coverings in place at the location of the meeting.
• I will also follow all travel restrictions in place at the location of the meeting and my point of origin at the time of the meeting.
• I will not attend the meeting if, within the last ten (10) full days of the meeting, I have tested positive for COVID, am experiencing symptoms of COVID, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID. If at any time during the meeting I begin to experience symptoms of COVID, or am in contact with someone experiencing symptoms, I will immediately leave the meeting and inform the ABA. If I test positive for COVID within 10 days after the meeting, I will inform the ABA. The requirements in this affirmation also apply to any minor(s) attending the meeting with me.
• I understand that my guests, including minors under the age of 18, and I may be required to complete health screening questions after arrival at the meeting to access ABA meeting and event spaces.