Page 19 - MarchApril26 Report

e d u c at i o n
Hone Your Skills in the Trial Advocacy Program
One of the most vexing dilemmas for
new lawyers is the question of trial expe-
rience. How do new lawyers get it and how
do more experienced lawyers provide it?
For some new lawyers, getting inside
a courtroom and actually trying a case
may seem like a far-off dream as they wait
for the opportunity. For others, they may
get thrown in the metaphorical deep end
with insufficient training. That is more of
a nightmare.
For more experienced lawyers, the
pressure of time and client demands may
make it next to impossible to train the
next generation. That makes it tough to
hand over work no matter how much the
experienced lawyer wants to delegate.
Fortunately for all concerned the CBA
offers a solution, the biannual Trial Advo-
cacy Institute. The intensive weeklong
program offers newer or inexperienced
lawyers the opportunity to learn by doing.
Participants receive a complete case file
prepared by the National Institute for
Trial Advocacy. All week-long participants
develop or hone real trial skills: opening
statements, direct and cross examination
of fact and expert witnesses, and closing
arguments. In addition, the program
features exercises on how to introduce
evidence and when and how to object. The
week culminates with an actual jury trial,
presided over by a real judge.
Presiding over all of this is a faculty
of some of the most experienced trial
lawyers in the Greater Cincinnati region.
The participating faculty observe and
critique each performance of the students
following a teaching method honed by
NITA. The critiques are designed to
provide practical, constructive instruc-
tion that highlights what the students get
right along with what they get wrong. In
addition to providing coaching, faculty
members demonstrate each task so that
students can observe in a real way how
more experienced lawyers approach the
elements of a trial.
This year’s case, Dixon v. Providen-
tial Life Insurance Company, concerns a
judge who may or may not have died by
suicide. The insurance company, believe
it or not, doesn’t want to pay the widow’s
claim. The insurance coverage dispute is
the subject of the week-long exercise. At
the end of the week, students will pair off
and try the case under the watchful eye of
a real judge. Typically, competitive juices
flow, and outcomes vary. It is the closest
thing to actual trial experience available.
Students come away from the week
energized and filled with confidence in
their abilities. Given the intensive nature
of the week long program, coupled with
the hands-on participation and guidance
of experienced trial lawyers, there may
By Jack Greiner
not be better training available. Students
routinely rave in evaluations about the
benefits of the program.
This year’s Institute takes place over
six days, beginning on Friday, July 10 with
a half-day introduction to the program
and faculty. The sessions from July 13 to 17
are full days. The program will take place
at the Potter Stewart United States Court-
house, with the Friday, July 17th trials
taking place at The Hamilton County
Courthouse. The Trial Advocacy Insti-
tute is available to CBA members for a
cost of $795 and to non-members at a cost
of $1,195. Some partial scholarships are
available, and discounts are also available
for firms sending more than one attorney.
Space in the program is limited, so we
encourage signing up early. The evidence
is clear, this is a bargain. So no objections,
sign up now.
Jack Greiner is a partner at Faruki PLL and a leading
authority on media law and First Amendment
matters. He has represented clients in public records
disputes, access to courts, open meeting cases and a
variety of defamation cases. Jack is also an experienced
commercial litigator, handling contract disputes
for clients in state and federal courts in Ohio and
elsewhere.
AN IMMERSIVE, HANDS-ON TRIAL SKILLS EXPERIENCE
Trial Advocacy
Institute
July 10 & 13-17, 2026
Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse
Hamilton County Courthouse
Over 20 hours of CLE credit is anticipated for Ohio and Kentucky.