2021 marks fifty years of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy as the nation’s go-to gold standard in All Things Advocacy. Here on the podcast, we wanted to celebrate this year-long occasion with our gift to you: 50 trial tips for each of NITA’s 50 years. In this first episode of a special two-part series, a cross-section of NITA program directors, faculty members, authors, and members of the Board of Trustees share their best tips and tricks for improving trial skills.

1:35    Choosing the story of your client’s case
6:35    Overcoming writer’s block
12:02  Breaking up with your notes
24:12  Crafting an opening statement|
32:39  Taking care of yourself during long, arduous trials
36:41  Signature sign-off question

Recommended Resources

“Your Witness, Counsel”: The Ethical, Effective Way to Witness Preparation (Mary Jo Barr)

Virtual Jury Trials: A Concept with No Clear Answer (Dan Kotin and Brian Baloun)

The Opening Statement Song (Jules Epstein)

Collective Wisdom: Whether to Object to the Not-So-Qualified Expert (Jules Epstein)

Win Your Next Motion with These Key Steps (Hon. Carl Chamberlin, Andrew Schepard)

COVID, The Court, and the Future of the Jury Trial (Hon. Mark Drummond, Reuben Guttman)

Whitney Untied Puts the “Pro” in Pro Bono

Ethically Speaking: Meeting the Challenges of Professionalism in Remote Proceedings (Whitney Untiedt)

One on One on One, with Judge Mark Drummond and Carol Sowers

One-on-One Coaching, Remote Hearing or Trial Training

One-on-One Coaching, Remote Deposition Training

Remote Advocacy: Representing Your Client During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Hon. Mark Drummond)

Remote Advocacy 2.0: A Follow-up Q&A on Representing Your Client During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Hon. Mark Drummond)

Best Practices for Remote Hearings (Reuben Guttman)

The Opening Gambit: Learn Opening Statements Through Actual Courtroom Video (Reuben Guttman)

The Art of Memory (book)

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything (book)

“Memory, Agent Starling, is what I have instead of a view.” (clip)