As the “Crown Jewel” of the IADC, the Trial Academy is one of the oldest and most respected programs for developing defense trial advocacy skills. Perfect for those looking to learn and practice the fundamentals and for those seeking to refine their techniques and tactics and take their trial skills to the next level, students will learn by doing.
This week-long intensive workshop blends faculty instruction and demonstration with individual student participation in the setting of a mock trial.
THE EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL TUESDAY, APRIL 22. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS EXTENSION, REGISTER TO SECURE YOUR SPOT, AND SAVE ON ENROLLMENT FEES.
TRIAL ACADEMY PDF REGISTRATION FORM
Program Brochure
VIEW Full academy details.
The Academy's faculty includes:
- Director Kimberly Hardeman, Lederer Weston Craig, PLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA
- Director-Elect Zandra E. Foley, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP, Houston, Texas USA
- Thomas Benedict, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP, Honolulu, Hawaii USA
- Jeremiah Byrne, Frost Brown Todd LLP, Louisville, Kentucky USA
- Floyd G. Cottrell, Rawle & Henderson, LLP, Hackensack, New Jersey USA
- Evelyn F. Davis, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP, Atlanta, Georgia USA
- Kent Gummert, Lederer Weston Craig, PLC, West Des Moines, Iowa USA
- Kevin W. Kita, Sutter O'Connell, Cleveland, Ohio USA
- Heidi L. Mandt, Williams Kastner, Portland, Oregon USA
- Melissa Dorman Matthews, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, Plano, Texas USA
- Brian A. O'Connell, Tucker, O'Connell & Fidurko, LLP, Newton, Massachusetts USA
- Alfred H. Perkins, Jr., Starnes Davis Florie, LLP, Birmingham, Alabama USA
- Jason R. Scott, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., Kansas City, Missouri USA
- J. Mitchell Smith, Germer PLLC, Houston, Texas USA
- James M. Sullivan, K.C., Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
- Charissa N. Walker, Tucker Ellis LLP, Cleveland, Ohio USA
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
| Registration Category |
On or Before April 22 |
After April 22 |
| Registration Fee |
$3,750 |
$3,950 |
| Multiple Attendee Registration Fee* |
$3,525 |
$3,950 |
| Corporate/Government Registration Fee** |
$2,995 |
$2,995 |
| Housing and Meal Package*** |
$2,350 |
$2,350 |
*MULTIPLE ATTENDEES FROM THE SAME FIRM: The IADC wishes to thank you for your support. Register on or before April 22 and your first registrant's tuition will be $3,750 and all additional registrants will be $3,525/each. PLEASE NOTE: To register multiple attendees, have your first registrant complete the online registration process with the standard registration fee. All other registrants from the same firm should use promo code TA25MAD-3874 upon check-out to receive this discount.
**ATTENDEES FROM A CORPORATION OR GOVERNMENT ENTITY: Attendees from a corporation or government entity are encouraged and welcome to attend the Trial Academy at the discounted rate of $2,995.
***HOUSING AND MEAL PACKAGE: All charges are based on a package rate arranged for attendees by the IADC. Credits will not be issued for missed sessions or meals.
Asim K. Desai Memorial Trial Academy Scholarship
The IADC Foundation started a Trial Academy scholarship in honor of Asim K. Desai, beloved IADC member and two-time Trial Academy faculty member. The scholarship will cover tuition and room and board for a worthy candidate who works for a small firm (30 or fewer attorneys), solo practice, person of color, member of an underrepresented group, or works for a government or non-profit entity.
If you know of a candidate, please encourage them to apply. Click for the guidelines and application form. Applications are due by May 16, 2025.
Asim’s law firm, Gordon & Rees, funded the first year of the scholarship in 2023. We are raising funds to enable the scholarship to continue for several years. To give, go to the donation page on the IADC Foundation website, and where is says “My donation is for” choose “Asim Desai Memorial Trial Academy Scholarship” from the drop down menu.
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Questions? For questions on registration, please email Leeza Abramovich, Meetings Coordinator. For all other questions, email Amy O'Maley McGuire, Trial Academy Manager.
Health and Safety
The IADC is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for meeting attendees and will follow all local requirements with regard to COVID-19. At present, that does not require attendees to be tested for COVID-19 before attending the meeting nor are masks required in any public spaces. However, we support everyone doing what makes them feel comfortable with regard to mask wearing, shaking hands or hugging, and we ask attendees to respect the choices of others. If you are not feeling well, please refrain from attending IADC events, and we encourage you to bring and utilize COVID-19 rapid tests if you are symptomatic.