MTLA Trial Academy
UM Flathead Lake Biological Station
Yellow Bay, Polson, MT
2016 Participants
Practicing voir dire and opening statements in front of actual jurors. This was such a great opportunity to practice speaking in front of people, and the ability to get real-time feedback from the jurors as to my presentation and manner was invaluable. Additionally, being able to learn by doing was extremely helpful, particularly for those of us who haven't had the opportunity to go to trial.
I really liked the learning by doing the exercises, getting feedback, and then watching the pros do it. I was also grateful for the books like Rules of the Road and Damages 3 by David Ball for extra help when prepping for the exercises.
Learning by doing, getting valuable feedback from the senior partners. Interacting with real jurors.
Ability to receive instant feedback, and the chance to learn by doing.
Learning by doing, and learning from excellent, highly-experienced attorneys and Judges.
Interaction with other lawyers, particularly young lawyers, is a shot in the arm.
2014 Participants
I had a really positive experience and walked away with so much to think about. I am definitely interested in remaining a member of this community.
I enjoyed the opportunity to practice trial skills on my feet, in front of peers, mentors, real judges, and "real" jurors. I also appreciated the opportunity to meet many wonderful lawyers (new and experienced) from all over the state. The setting was gorgeous.
It was a wonderful experience. It was very valuable for me to practice voir dire and the opening statement on jurors and then get their feedback. The senior attorneys were top notch. It was also great to get to meet other young attorneys representing plaintiffs.
Having the jurors and the judges to provide feedback was invaluable. Being able to practice while thinking on your feet and getting real-time feedback was a fantastic experience. Then, being able to watch an expert do the same thing was a lot of fun.
Feedback from judges, jurors, and fellow senior partner was very insightful and extremely valuable for junior partners and for me as senior partner. Observing junior partners soaking up the experience and feedback on the fly, incorporating it into their next exercise, and improving from exercise to exercise -- amazing.
2007 Participant Comments
The Trial Academy was the best 2½ days of my legal career. . . .
[T]he Trial Academy . . . the most demanding, yet rewarding and worthwhile CLE experience of my legal career.
I learned more about myself and advocacy in two and ½ days than I thought possible. . . . I think the 2½ days were worth more than law school! . . . [T]his turned out to be one of the best and most valuable experiences of my professional career. . . .
The Trial Academy was exactly what I needed to prepare for my upcoming hearing and trials.
I can't say enough about the program. . . . I simply find myself at a loss to explain how much I took away from the course. . . . It gave me confidence to be myself in trial.
The Trial Academy was undoubtedly the greatest experience I have taken part in – in my young legal career.
I've been feeling like since I left Yellow Bay I've wanted to shout from the roof tops how great my experience was and how useful and effective the academy was for me. . . . [N]o young/new/inexperienced attorney representing plaintiffs or criminal defendants should miss out on this opportunity.
'What are all these people taking about? What educational experience could give rise to this type of unqualified evaluation? MTLA's 2007 Trial Academy, held September 26-28 at the Yellow Bay Biological Station at Flathead Lake.
For more of Senior Partner' Mike Lamb's Trial Trends article on the 2007 Trial Academy.
2007 Photos
2005 Trial Academy Participant Comments
"I strongly recommend that all new lawyers participate in this challenging and educational experience." Jonathan Cok, New Lawyers Chair, 2005 Trial Academy participant.
Trial Trends article
Liked most about the Trial Academy:
"instruction from such experienced attorneys"
"mentors' honest and constructive criticism"
"being able to get in the 'pit' and receive the welcomed constructive criticism by Montana's best"
"personal connections to experienced attorneys"
"the use of real juries"
2005 Trial Academy Pictures