Take a class with NITA and you’ll see just how valuable our dynamic teaching methods can be. You’ll work with NITA’s expert faculty, earning CLE credit through one-day or multi-day sessions that are geared towards all skill levels and areas of advocacy. Our unique learning-by-doing method will put you in the courtroom, practicing everything from jury selection to witness examination.
Programs
OVERVIEW
NITA offers experiential learning programs via its time tested method of learning-by-doing, repetition based education. These opportunities are made available to all attorneys regardless of their location, experience level or practice area and can be conducted in a variety of formats.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Held all year long and all across the country NITA public programs stand alone in terms of educational quality thanks in large part to these three factors:
The Method
The NITA Learning-by-Doing method is the most effective way to practice, learn and retain the advocacy skills used throughout one’s legal career.
The Faculty
Comprised of lawyers, judges, professors and consultants from around the nation, the NITA faculty brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to every program and provides participants immediate feedback on their performances.
The Opportunity
In addition to undoubtedly being a better lawyer after completing the program, participants will be learning alongside potential colleagues and referral sources from across the country.
To view all Public programs, click the Calendar tab.
studio71 PROGRAMS
Inside studio71 you’ll find learning opportunities never before available from NITA. Online lectures and demonstrations by NITA’s expert faculty. Interviews with NITA’s prestigious authors. Clips from NITA’s DVD publication library. NITA’s one of a kind learning-by-doing teaching method accessible via online performance room. It’s all here.
Whether you want to hear more about a book, listen to some helpful pointers about a specific skill (direct exams, jury selection, etc) or fully entrench yourself in a learning by doing program, it’s now all just a mouse click away. Go to www.NITAstudio71.com to take a tour of the studio and see for yourself.
Whether you’re viewing the free clips or purchasing content it won’t take you long to see that this isn’t just another place to watch online legal content. studio71 has managed to bring you the convenience (and low cost) of online content without sacrificing the educational quality you’re accustomed to seeing from NITA.
PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS
NITA is committed to providing all lawyers with access to legal skills training. To help us reach that goal we devote funds and resources to programs designed to improve the skills of those who represent underserved communities. The programs expand on areas in which NITA is active:
public service lawyers
child advocacy
domestic violence
tribal justice
disability
elder law
immigration
death penalty defense
For more information, click on the Public Service tab.
CUSTOM PROGRAMS
NITA has expanded its training options to address the core competencies in advocacy and business skills demanded by today’s marketplace. Whether your firm is in the process of reviewing your training efforts to ensure they meet your core competency goals, in the initial stages of formalizing training efforts or looking to augment an existing training program, NITA is a leading resource for addressing your professional development needs.
For more information, go here.
TRIAL PROGRAMS
NITA’s Trial Skills programs use the learning-by-doing method to practice and perfect the skills of trial advocacy and persuasion. Performances are video recorded allowing faculty to provide immediate feedback and critique as well as provide additional insight during video review. To conclude the program a jury is brought in so participants can execute a full jury trial, once as counsel and once as a witness. Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, NITA's Building Trial Skills program will change the way you approach trials, improving your performance exponentially.
DEPOSITION PROGRAMS
NITA’s Deposition Skills program puts attorneys in a realistic deposition setting and provides them the opportunity to discover the questioning style that best fits their personality and skills. Using the learning-by-doing method and the NITA ‘funnel technique’ take and defend a number of depositions during the two and a half day program.
SPECIALITY PROGRAMS
NITA offers a number of specialty programs which cover a wide range of legal skills. Regardless of subject matter these programs are taught with the same learning-by-doing method as Trial and Deposition Skills programs, giving participants ample performance time and frequent feedback from faculty. Communication skills, brief writing, and mediation are just a few of the specialty programs that NITA offers, all of which qualify towards a NITA Advocate Designation.
studio71 PROGRAMS
Inside studio71 you’ll find learning opportunities never before available from NITA. Online lectures and demonstrations by NITA’s expert faculty. Interviews with NITA’s prestigious authors. Online accessibility to NITA’s DVD publication library. NITA’s one of a kind learning-by-doing teaching method accessible via online performance room. It’s all here.
Whether you want to hear more about a book, listen to some helpful pointers about a specific skill (direct exams, jury selection, etc) or fully entrench yourself in a learning by doing program, it’s now all just a mouse click away. Go to www.NITAstudio71.com to take a tour of the studio and see for yourself.
Whether you’re viewing the free clips or purchasing content it won’t take you long to see that this isn’t just another place to watch online legal content. studio71 has managed to bring you the convenience (and low cost) of online content without sacrificing the educational quality you’re accustomed to seeing from NITA.
General Program Information
Tuition
Tuition for each program is as indicated and does not include travel, meals, lodging, or individual state CLE costs.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations for NITA programs must be submitted in writing and become effective on the date written notification is received by NITA administration. You must notify NITA of cancellation at least 30 days in advance of your program, or the following fees will be assessed: 50% of tuition if 6-30 days prior; 100% if five or fewer days prior to program start date. To transfer to another course, the following fees will be assessed: $250 if 6-29 days prior to program start date; $500 if five or fewer days prior to program start date. Please note that Transferring is a one-time only option. If you cannot attend the second program, you will be charged the cancellation fee based on date of cancellation. Alternatively, if you cannot attend, you may substitute a colleague at no cost. Click here to download the Change in Status form.
Scholarships and Payment Plans
NITA offers partial scholarships based on financial need. Scholarships apply to tuition fees only. Some low or no-cost Public Service programs do not offer scholarships. A limited number of payment plans are also available based on financial need. To apply for a scholarship, add the program to your cart and select the 'scholarship' box during check-out.
Limited Enrollment
The number of participants allowed to enroll in NITA programs is limited in order to maintain the optimum faculty-to-participant ratio and ensure the quality of the learning experience. To ensure your enrollment, register online now or send your application and payment to NITA Administration, 1685 38th Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80301. You can also fax your completed application with credit card payment directly to 303.484.7610. You will receive confirmation of your enrollment via email.
Admission Policy
Enrollment is restricted to licensed attorneys. National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the NITA Foundation do not discriminate against applicants for program admission or scholarship assistance on the basis of race, national orgin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, color, disability or status as a parent. Furthermore, NITA and the NITA foundation comply with the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1974, Title VI of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to affirmative action and equal opportunity.
Travel & Accommodations
Following program enrollment, a General Information sheet will be emailed to you along with other pertinent program information.
OVERVIEW
NITA is committed to providing all lawyers with access to legal skills training. To help us reach that goal we devote resources to programs designed to improve the skills of those who represent underserved communities. While many legal organizations approach NITA about coordinating training for their attorneys, our Public Service funding is limited, and programs applying in this category are not assured of training. The programs expand on areas in which NITA is active:
- public service lawyers
- child advocacy
- domestic violence
- tribal justice
- disability
- elder law
- immigration
- death penalty defense
Hear what participants at public service programs have to say about their experience:
Agency Application Process
We conduct Trial and Deposition programs for public service lawyer groups. In addition, a hybrid 2 day Teacher Training followed immediately by a 3 day Basic Trial Skills training is also available. To qualify for these kinds of training, your organization must meet the following criteria:
1. Attorneys or advocates who serve indigent or disadvantaged populations, including, but not limited to: legal aid, child advocacy, tribal court, criminal law, and domestic violence. AND
2. Public agency lawyers who work in these areas would be eligible automatically. OR
3. Private practice lawyers who work in these areas are eligible if at least 50% of their practice is devoted to providing legal services for clients who are indigent and unable to secure fee-based legal representation. (Court-appointed work in these subject areas would be included in the 50% qualification).
Our Public Service partners must meet the criteria above, and bring funding to train their attorneys. We welcome the opportunity to work with organizations that represent underserved communities in the United States, but also require a specific agreement that ensures everyone understands their responsibilities for the financial and staffing resources to make a successful program. The majority of these programs are conducted with a break even budget.
If you meet these criteria, we will work with you to design a program as you seek training funds from other organizations that support our training. We offer public service discounts on materials for programs in this Public Service category. In order to produce a NITA-style training, NITA will request time from volunteer NITA faculty and work with the agency to seek out a low-cost venue for the program.
If you are interested in applying for a public service program for your organization, please fill out this application and submit it to: Public Service Account Manager Mary Commander at 303.953.6848 or mcommander@nita.org.
Individuals seeking training
We offer public trial skills and deposition skills programs all over the country. The trial skill programs differ in length and content while deposition skills programs are all 2 ½ days in length. All program information can be found on the NITA program calendar. Both Public Service and Need based scholarships to these programs may be available. A copy of the scholarship application for Public Programs can be found here.
How You Can Help Grow NITA’s Public Service Efforts
NITA’s public service programming would not be possible without the donations from the NITA community. The NITA Foundation was established in 2003 in order to facilitate fundraising and coordinate scholarships and low-cost programming for public service attorneys. To date, the Foundation has disbursed more than $2.1 million dollars to support NITA’s program and scholarship offerings. Please help us continue this mission by donating.
Donate – It could take a donation as little as $500 to sponsor public service attorneys to some of NITA's public programs. For specific public program sponsorship amounts contact Whitney Cortner at 303.953.6845 or wcortner@nita.org.
Designations
Are you serious about developing a well-rounded foundation in advocacy skills? Prove it by completing the NITA Designation program.
Benefits
Be recognized for your NITA training! Achieving a NITA Designation allows you to demonstrate your expertise to clients and colleagues. Upon completion of your required coursework NITA will send you a letter, certificate and an e-mail with a special graphic logo attached. Use these documents to demonstrate your advocacy knowledge through your website, advertising, etc. The graphic logo will also be added to your Martindale-Hubble profile.
NITA offers two designations, the NITA Advocate designation and NITA Master Advocate designation. The NITA Advocate Designation must be achieved before the Master Advocate Designation can be awarded. All the required courses can be purchased individually but we also offer discounted package pricing for both designations. Required programs & pricing for those programs are as follows:
PACKAGE COST: $5250
(Taken individually the required programs cost $6585)
Three required programs:
Building Trial Skills
Deposition Skills
Plus one of the following:
Articulate Advocate
Writing Persuasive Briefs
Control in the Courtroom
Specialty programs that change each year may also apply for the last course.
PACKAGE COST: $3500
(Taken invidually the required programs cost $4390)
Two required programs:
Advanced Advocacy Skills
Advocacy Teacher Training
NITA Advocate and Master Advocate
Package Price: $7600
Total Individual Price: $10,975
Additional Designation Details:
If you have questions or wish to purchase any of the packages described above, please e-mail customerservice@nita.org. Designation packages cannot be purchased online.
Designation Rules and Regulations
• All programs must be attended in order to achieve a designation; no program will be waived or excused, no exceptions.
• The discounted package prices only apply when the entire package is purchased and paid in full at the time of registration for the first program.
• You will have 36 months to complete the required coursework for your designation after you have purchased the package and registered for your first course. You do not need to register for all programs at once.
• You may not substitute another attorney but may cancel or transfer to another program if you are unable to attend a program for which you are registered. NITA’s cancellation policy and cancellation fee schedule will apply to all NITA Designation Packages.
• You may apply previous coursework but no discount will be given. Please note, if a record of your attendance is not available in our database you are required to produce a copy of your certificate of completion to get credit for the course. No exceptions.
• Designations can be awarded to participants of NITA’s public programs, public service programs or custom programs (or any combination thereof).
• Advocate Designations are awarded quarterly; Master Advocate Designations are awarded annually.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
General Scholarship Fund
Deadline for applications is: 45 days prior to program start date
NITA is proud to offer scholarships for all public Trial Skills, Deposition Skills and Teacher Training Programs (excludes Deposition Skills: Online). While we strive to grant as many scholarships as we can using donations raised through the NITA Foundation, our funding is limited. The NITA Foundation awards scholarships to worthy applicants who have demonstrated financial need and/or a commitment to public service.
Jim and Beverly Carrigan Scholarship Fund
Deadline for applications is: April 15
Named in honor of Jim and Beverly Carrigan, this annual scholarship opportunity funds the full tuition of a NITA participant to attend the National Session Trial Skills Program. Funds are awarded to a recipient who meets NITA’s economic means qualification, giving strong preference to a lawyer in public service such as a deputy district attorney or public defender ideally from Colorado.
Jim Jeans Memorial Fund
Deadline for applications is: April 15
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, a gift of $50,000 began an endowment fund in memory of Jim Jeans. Mr. Jeans was one of NITA’s pioneers, a lawyer well-known for his brilliant story-telling and teaching style. NITA’s community of donors raised over $24,000 to bring the total endowment to $74,134. This particular honor is bestowed upon a lawyer championing the interests of his or her clients in the name of “justice for all.” This fund provides one scholarship each year for a public service attorney to attend the National Session held in July, NITA’s premier training program.
ABOTA – Indiana Scholarship
Deadline for applications is: July 15
This scholarship opportunity is offered for the fall NITA program held October in Indiana entitled, “Building Trial Skills-Mid Central”. The ideal candidate considered is from the state of Indiana.
The Goldman Foundation Scholarship
Deadline for applications is: August 15
This scholarship opportunity is offered for the NITA program held in November in Philadelphia entitled, “Building Trial Skills-Mid Atlantic”. Ideal candidates considered are from the Public Defenders office in Philadelphia.
Alston Jennings Memorial Fund
Deadline for applications is: September 15
Named for Alston Jennings, an invaluable member of the NITA faculty and former member of NITA’s Board of Trustees, this scholarship opportunity celebrates his memory and commitment to the community by providing funds to a worthy applicant who is from the Little Rock area of Arkansas to attend any NITA program. Mr. Jennings fought tirelessly to improve the skills of attorneys, especially those working on behalf of the underserved and disenfranchised. Through this scholarship opportunity, the legacy of Mr. Jennings continues to make an impact in the legal community, and in turn, all the lives touched by his generosity and passion for his vocation.
To apply for any of the above scholarship opportunities, please return the scholarship application to customerservice@nita.org or by fax at (303)484-7610. All applications sent will be carefully reviewed. NITA will contact applicants via e-mail approximately 45 days before the start of the program regarding our decision. If you have questions, please email Customer Service at the e-mail address above. No phone calls please.
TESTIMONIALS
“I've just begun my 4th year of practice and this course was, without a doubt, the most beneficial CLE I've ever taken.”
Harper Todd, Justin O'Toole Lucey, Deposition Skills: Mid-Atlantic 2010 Participant
“I've been practicing for several years and thought that I could improve my trial skills. My objective was simply to learn more about the art of persuasion, but I learned far more than what I expected.”
Abe Vigil, Lewis & Roca, Building Trial Skills: Southern California 2010 Participant
“I left feeling better prepared and look forward to taking depositions this week as a result of the skills developed.”
Amy Gurgle, Regan Zambri & Long, 2009 Deposition Skills: DC Participant
“This course was terrific. I learned techniques that I will never forget and will implement into my practice in the future. The instructors were very impressive.”
John Briody, Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett, 2009 Building Trial Skills: Northeast Participant
“This was by far the most useful CLE program I have ever attended. I will go into my first deposition with far more confidence and experience than I otherwise would have.”
Sarah Zumwalt, Groom Law Group Chartered, Deposition Skills: Mid-Atlantic 2010 Participant
“It was a lot of work but well worth it. I feel much more competent and eager to do a trial. I thought the video taping was a great thing to do as well as watching the jury deliberate. Thank you guys!”
Nicholas Lewis, Law Office of Nicholas Lewis, 2009 Building Trial Skills: Pacific Participant
“This course was well worth the time and money. The faculty and written materials were both fantastic. I am a better lawyer for having attended this course.”
Brian Crevasse, Bachara Construction Law Group, 2009 Deposition Skills: Florida Participant
“This course was amazingly helpful and highly recommended to anyone who desires to improve his or her trial skills.”
Rachel Lamothe, Sempra Energy Office of Gen Counsel, Building Trial Skills: Southern California 2009 Participant
“I learned an amazing amount and thank everyone who helped put the program together! It was very useful to get immediate feedback and the ratio between participant and faculty really facilitated our opportunity to be observed and receive instant suggestions. Also, I appreciated how we got to hear and learn many different perspectives on the issues covered because the factuly members switched among our groups.”
Marissa Hurwitz, Loeb & Loeb LLP, Deposition Skills: Pacific 2010 Participant
“NITA makes up in practical experience what is lacking from the law school experience.”
Patrick Sanders, Law Office of John Redmann LLC, Building Trial Skills: Gulf Coast 2010 Participant
“I was very impressed with the quality of the program presented by NITA.”
Jose Baez, The Baez Law Firm PLLC, Building Trial Skills: Gulf Coast 2010 Participant
“EXCELLENT program. Every trial attorney MUST take.”
Jenny Cheung, Legal Aid Society, 2009 Building Trial Skills: Northeast Participant
