ACTL Trial Advocacy Programs

Program Type: Training program (tuition-free)

Purpose: Develop excellence in trial advocacy and train the next generation of excellent, ethical trial lawyers. Programs emphasize learning by watching and learning by doing in simulated courtroom settings.

Program Goals:

• Foster excellence in advocacy
• Train the next generation of excellent, ethical trial lawyers
• Develop increased trust, belief, and confidence in the civil justice system

Geographic Scope: National (held in various locations)

Eligibility:

• Open to all litigating attorneys seeking to develop or improve courtroom skills
• Attorneys with public interest trial focus (civil, criminal, or administrative) strongly encouraged
• Private practice attorneys equally welcome
• Program emphasizes diversity and inclusion
• Limited to 50 participants per program; first-come, first-served basis with waitlist

What's Included:

• Faculty demonstrations
• Guided discussion
• Performing exercises and drills
• Constructive, positive faculty critique
• Final culminating activity: teams of two try case from case file
• Detailed segment schedule and case file distributed in advance

Faculty:

• Fellows of ACTL who volunteer their time
• Cover their own travel expenses

Organized By: ACTL Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy Committee

Hosted By: Sponsoring law firms

Recent/Upcoming Programs:

• 8th Program: August 21-23, 2026, Chicago, Illinois (hosted by Latham & Watkins)
• 6th Program: June 6-8, 2025 in New York City (hosted by Weil Gotshal) - DEADLINE PASSED

Contact Information:

• National Office: (949) 752-1801
• Email: nationaloffice@actl.com
• Address: 4041 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 140, Newport Beach, California 92660

How to Apply

Registration Process:

1. Contact program organizers with questions or to register
2. Enrollment is first-come, first-served
3. Limited to 50 participants per program
4. Waitlist established once capacity is reached

For 8th Program (August 2026, Chicago):

Program Chair: Tom Heiden

• Email: Thomas.heiden@retiredpartner.lw.com
• Phone: +1.616.560.4446

Additional Contacts:

• Allie Passman: Allie.Passman@lw.com, +1.312.777.7255
• Maribel Garcia Ochoa: Maribel.GarciaOchoa@lw.com, +1.213.891.7945

For 7th Program (May 2026, San Francisco):

Program Chair: Tom Heiden

• Email: Thomas.heiden@retiredpartner.lw.com
• Phone: (616-560-4446)

Additional Contact:

• Laurie Blackiston: Blackiston@mofo.com, (415-268-7510)

Required Materials:

• Contact information
• Expression of interest

Notes:

• Participants can nominate other qualified litigators and trial lawyers
• Detailed segment schedule and case file will be distributed to attendees in advance