The American Inns of Court is pleased to offer a training program for attorneys who are looking to develop or hone their oral advocacy skills. This is intensive, highly-personalized professional development delivered through the lens of trial advocacy. It requires commitment, an open mind, the acceptance of personalized critique, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Check back for more information about future program dates.
Overview
Methodology
Who Should Attend
Continuing Legal Education
Questions?
Please contact Libby Bingham by email or at (571) 319-4712.
Overview
The American Inns of Court National Advocacy Training Program (NATP) is an intensive five-day virtual program sponsored by the American Inns of Court in conjunction with the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) in London.
The ICCA, established by the four Inns of Court in London, is comprised of leading barristers and judges who provide guidance and training in the pursuit of excellence in advocacy. The involvement of the ICCA makes this program unlike any other offered in the United States. Because of our close relationship with the Inns of Court in London, the American Inns of Court is able to offer this truly unique opportunity for highly personalized professional development.
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Methodology
Using an International Criminal Court case as the backdrop for developing U.S. trial elements, the NATP can accommodate two groups of eight participants each. The facilitators will be British judges, barristers and NATP alumni trained in the six-step Hampel method of advocacy training—a best practice adopted by the Bar of England and Wales.
The program features aspects of a mock trial, such as direct and cross-examination, and opening and closing arguments. Oral presentation and advocacy skills are reinforced through immediate, personal feedback, and observation of the other group members' critiques. While learning methods for witness handling, effective ways to phrase questions, refreshing memory, and other "tools of advocacy," the emphasis is on finding or developing personal presentation styles, preparation skills, and methods for effectively interacting with the bench and with witnesses.
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Who Should Attend
The program is designed for attorneys who are looking to develop or hone both their in-person and virtual courtroom presentation skills, and are usually within two to ten years of practice. Attorneys who have been practicing longer but without the opportunity to argue in court may also find value in the program. All participants should feel comfortable working in a group and receiving public critiques of their performances. The NATP is available to active Inn members, Inn alumni and non-member attorneys.
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Continuing Legal Education
When registration has closed, the program will be submitted for CLE approval from the participants’ state jurisdictions; approval is generally granted in advance of the program. (Late applicants may not find out until after the program is over if they are from a jurisdiction that had not already been approved.)
- All participants will receive a certificate of completion, along with whatever other information is requested by the jurisdiction, or whatever an attorney may need to self-report.
- The program is eligible for at least 12-14 general CLE credits in most jurisdictions. Participants who want to receive CLE credit are encouraged to apply early so we can ensure enough time to research and apply in any given state.
- The program has already been approved in Pennsylvania. Click here for a list of other jurisdictions which have approved the live NATP in the past.
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