The Art of Advocacy

I recently returned from the Litigation Institute for Trial Training, or LITT, as it is affectionately known. Outside of trying cases, I cannot imagine a better way to hone your litigation skills in such a short period of time.

LITT is an annual, two-day trial training boot camp hosted by the ABA Litigation Section at the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. The year’s gathering (July 10 and 11, 2008) featured some of the top trial lawyers and judges in the United States. Patrick Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for Illinois and prosecutor in the Libby case, explained the art of opening statement. Judge Marvin Aspen of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois worked with participants on direct and cross-examination. Steve Susman of Susman Godfrey and Professor Stephen A. Saltzburg of George Washington University Law School presented on closing argument. Also among the faculty were: Chicago federal public defender Terrance MacCarthy, who lectured on cross; jury consultant Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, who talked about mock trials and jury consultants; James J. Brosnahan of Morrison & Foerster, who presented on great trials and great trial lawyers; and Ed Waller of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa, Florida, who offered thoughts on ethics and civility. No aspect of trial practice was left untouched. Yours truly spoke about “twelve secrets of persuasion.”

The program alternated between lectures, demonstrations, and opportunities to perform before peers and faculty. Participants were also exposed to faculty critiques and went home with a video of their own performances for further study.

As expected, we had a full house, with forty young trial lawyers registered. If you are interested in participating next July, contact me ASAP and I will put you on the list. Though it seems we are running out of space quickly, in the case of timely responses, I should be able to guarantee a slot for LITT 2009.