Elevate Your Trial Skills at the 2025 Trial Academy

Register Today!

October 23-24, 2025

NIU Naperville Conference Center
1120 E. Diehl Road
Naperville, Illinois 60563

Step beyond theory and into practice at the Trial Academy - a rigorous, hands-on training program built exclusively for defense counsel. Guided by experienced litigators from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, participants will gain real-world trial experience in every phase of a defense case.

Expect a demanding schedule, an interactive learning environment, and the rare opportunity to sharpen your courtroom advocacy in a setting that mirrors the intensity of trial.

                     

What You’ll Experience:

  • Full Trial Experience: From jury instructions, evidentiary motions, and voir dire to opening statements, examinations, objections, and closing arguments - you will conduct each critical stage of trial.
  • Faculty Demonstrations: Watch seasoned trial lawyers model effective techniques for voir dire, opening statements, examinations of treating physicians and experts, cross-examination, and more.
  • Immersive Practice: Work in small groups of four or five, with one dedicated faculty member guiding you through strategy, performance, and feedback.
  • Specialized Sessions: Dive deeper with lectures on cross-examination, expert testimony, objections, mistrials, and witness preparation - plus a session on AI and Batson challenges shaping today’s trial practice.
  • Personalized Feedback: Every participant receives detailed evaluations from experienced litigators, offering practical insights to strengthen advocacy skills and refine courtroom techniques.

Why Attend?

  • Unmatched Individual Attention: With a 5:1 (or better!) participant-to-faculty ratio, you’ll get direct, personalized coaching.
  • Defense-Centered: Every session is tailored to the defense perspective, ensuring practical application to your practice.
  • Trial-Ready Preparation: Registrants are expected to arrive prepared with a Trial Outline and will work from case files mirroring real trial materials - including pleadings, depositions, investigative reports, and jury instructions.

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors!