7th Annual CDAM & Thomas M. Cooley Trial College

About the College
The Trial Practice College offers a tremendous opportunity to participate in a low-cost week long training program.  The college is designed to allow participants to share the practical trial experience of seasoned veterans and promote zealous defense advocacy.  Participants will not only learn through lectures by nationally recognized trial lawyers on each stage of the trial, but will also apply what they have learned in daily small group training sessions.  Under the instruction of the workshop faculty, participants will engage in individual performances and receive feedback and analysis from the workshop faculty.  The course materials involve a criminal trial and include relevant discovery, pleadings and exhibits.  Participants will be provided materials in advance, but will have the opportunity to prepare for each phase of the trial in the evenings, after hearing the lectures.  The experience of these types of training colleges cannot be underestimated.  Spending a week in small groups and preparing during the evenings for the next day’s program with others offers most valuable camaraderie and training.  The program is geared to change not only your methods and style of practice, but your outlook on your clients, career and life. 

Schedule
The college begins with its first session Friday, August 20, 2010 and ending at noon on Wednesday, August 25, 2010.  Registration will begin at 4 pm.  The first participant session is from 7-9 p.m.  All participants must attend this opening session because it will set the foundation for the subsequent small group sessions.  After that, daily sessions begin at 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 or 5:30 p.m., depending on the individual day’s schedule of events.  This is a residential program and once enrolled, participants are expected to attend the entire program.  

The session is limited to 40 participants who are divided into small groups. Topics covered in the group exercises include jury selection, opening statement, cross-examination, direct examination, and closing arguments. Each participant performs each daily assignment under the supervision of a member of the faculty.  Small group exercises are supplemented by our nationally recognized faculty lectures and demonstrations.  All sessions are held in the state-of-the-art trial practice facility at Cooley Law School.

Advanced Track for returning Trial College Graduates 
Work your own cases applying  the Trial College methods to case development and preparation.

Schedule
The college begins with its first session Friday, August 20, 2010 and ending at noon on Wednesday, August 25, 2010.  Registration will begin at 4 pm.  The first participant session is from 7-9 p.m.  All participants must attend this opening session because it will set the foundation for the subsequent small group sessions.  After that, daily sessions begin at 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 or 5:30 p.m., depending on the individual day’s schedule of events.  This is a residential program and once enrolled, participants are expected to attend the entire program. 

The session is limited to 40 participants who are divided into small groups. Topics covered in the group exercises include jury selection, opening statement, cross-examination, direct examination, and closing arguments. Each participant performs each daily assignment under the supervision of a member of the faculty.  Small group exercises are supplemented by our nationally recognized faculty lectures and demonstrations.  All sessions are held in the state-of-the-art trial practice facility at Cooley Law School.

Since working together is part of the training experience, all students are expected to stay at the hotel and there is not a separate rate for those not wanting to stay at  the hotel. Once fees are paid,  CDAM will make all necessary  arrangements for hotel accommodations.

Tuition
The tuition fee is $900-double occupancy accommodations at the Radisson Hotel; or $1,025-single occupancy. The fee includes course materials, hotel accommodations and all meals except dinners.

Cancellation
The college tuition fee is non-refundable.  The entire tuition is required in advance due to space limitations.  For cancellations post-marked on or before July 15, 2010, CDAM will refund your tuition fee, less $150.  After July 15, 2010, there is no refund.

Scholarship Information
A limited number of scholarships are available to cover all or part of the tuition of those whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent their attendance.  Please include a written statement identifying the reason for interest, prior training, and your scholarship needs and enclose it with registration form.  Scholarship applications are due July 1, 2010.

Lecture Faculty

Joshua Karton is a specialist in teaching litigators how to apply the skills and techniques of theatre/film/television to the art of advocacy. He serves on the faculties of the University of Southern California’s School of Theatre, Loyola Law School, and California Western School of Law.  He designs/conducts trial advocacy programs for ATLA, the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer’s College, the JAG Corps., NACDL, NITA, ABA, trial lawyers associations and law schools, while maintaining a private practice of case consultation and witness preparation.
Joane Garcia-Colson graduated with honors from the University of Denver College of Law in 1990 and is the former Executive Director of the Trial Lawyers College. Joane is a trial lawyer in Palm Springs, California and has represented numerous plaintiffs in both state and federal courts in wrongful termination, sexual harassment and other employment related matters and also represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases, on fraud claims and in real estate disputes and construction defect matters. She has experience in criminal cases, as well.  She is a certified psychodramatist and has years of experience using this method to work with and teach lawyers to be more effective advocates.

Marjorie Russell, defense attorney and member of the faculty of Cooley Law School, is again working with us and will facilitate the program.  She is the chairperson of the Department of Practice Advocacy and Litigation Skills at Cooley.  She is a highly respected member of the faculty for the Trial Lawyers College both at the Spence Ranch and regional seminars.Marjorie is a member of the Board of Directors for CDAM and has provided small group skills practice training sessions at our fall and spring conferences for several years. The Trial College program gives her an in depth opportunity to help attorneys to further refine those critical skills.

 ...and other notable, qualified trial lawyers on Opening Statement, Cross Examination and Closing Argument

The Small Group Workshop Faculty
The Small Group Workshop Faculty are experienced  Michigan criminal defense lawyers and trial practice instructors.  Teaching staff will be drawn from:

Patrick Barone            Penny Beardslee Cheryl Carpenter Lynn D’Orio           Frank Eaman Thomas Loeb    Doug Mulkoff Mike Nichols Jill Price

Margaret Sind Raben Mitchell Ribitwer Marjorie Russell Jerry Sabbota James Samuels Mark Satawa        Lisa Kirsch Satawa              Mark Satawa               William Swor Marshall Tauber