Our goal is to provide every associate the opportunity to master the skills needed to be comfortable in a courtroom. To that end the firm offers the opportunities described below.
Additional Associate in Trial
The best way to learn how to try cases is to work on them. We place an additional junior associate on every trial and arbitration team—at no cost to the client. The additional associate is given an in-court role, for example, preparing and/or displaying graphics, reviewing deposition testimony, revising cross-examination outlines, managing exhibits, and assisting the other team members with any other needed tasks.
Hear what some previous associates have to say about this invaluable experience:
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“From each member of the team, I learned the dexterity and skill that goes into effective lawyering.”
Chelsea Gumaer, Los Angeles Associate
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“The six-day hearing was both educational and exciting. I was glad to work with such a fine team. ”
Chris Seck, New York Associate
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In-House Trial Advocacy Courses
The firm offers associates three trial advocacy training programs taught by the best trial advocacy instructors in the country—our own partners. Many firm partners have taught advanced trial advocacy at law schools like Harvard, USC, Berkeley and Stanford. Others have taught the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (“NITA”), and in other programs such as the Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute.
Basic Trial AdvocacyUsing materials and mock case files from NITA, associates participate in a 50-hour program of demonstrations, lectures and practice exercises, which include extensive use of video review. This program culminates in a full-day mock trial using jurors hired by the firm. The participants try a case from the voir dire of potential jurors through trial to verdict.
Advanced Trial Advocacy
This program is offered in alternate years to all associates who have taken the basic trial advocacy course. As the name implies, this course focuses on other more complex areas of trials such as examining experts, controlling obnoxious witnesses, and advanced use of graphics.
Deposition Skills
After completing the Basic Trial Advocacy course, associates can participate in the firm’s Deposition Skills program.
Appellate Advocacy
Led by name partner
Kathleen M. Sullivan (former Harvard Law School Professor and Dean of Stanford Law School) this program focuses on mastering the skills—both written and oral—that are needed to be an effective appellate advocate.