August 8 – 12, 2026
| MCLE Credit: | 38.5 (Ethics: 2.0) Pending |
| Live-Interactive Credit: | 36.5 Pending |
| Pre-recorded Credit: | 2.0 Pending |
For details on this seminar, please visit the National Trial Advocacy College website.
Please note: This program is not eligible for Virginia CLE government, new lawyer, pro bono, law student, legal aid, or paralegal discounts, and Unlimited Passes may not be used to register for the program.
The National Trial Advocacy College’s unique combination of expert lectures, small-group training, and realistic trial simulations invites participants to:
The ability to effectively present an opening statement, competently conduct a direct examination, deliberately cross-examine an adverse witness, make a compelling closing argument, and, of course, handle a jury trial with confidence are learned skills that remain the keys to success for any litigator. No amount of second-chairing trials, attending one-day programs, or conferring with a senior lawyer can replace the real thing—doing it. That is what this program has been about for over 40 years.
Whether you are a lawyer in a big firm struggling to obtain trial experience, or practicing in a small shop facing a myriad of litigation challenges, this program makes economic sense. First, it is less expensive than comparable programs, because Virginia CLE’s mission is to keep the program affordable. Second, it is time-efficient—for five days you are immersed in substantive material and critical practice that would normally take years to experience, all while earning 36.5 hours of live-interactive credit, plus access to a pre-recorded, on-demand session carrying 2.0 hours of Ethics. Add in five days of networking with other lawyers from all around the Commonwealth and country, and you might even create some future business to add to your new skills.
We’re here to assist any lawyer interested in developing or polishing heightened advocacy skills through an intensive five days of personal training.
National Trial Advocacy College was founded in 1981 by Professor Stephen A. Saltzburg, then of the University of Virginia School of Law and now George Washington University Law School, and the Honorable Herbert J. Stern, then United States District Court, Newark, New Jersey.
Virginia CLE and the University of Virginia School of Law partnered with Saltzburg and Stern to build the annual institute into a highly anticipated forum of national and international importance, with Stephen Saltzburg as its director for more than four decades.
The College has attracted a distinguished faculty of trial attorneys, judges, professionals, and experts, many of whom have long tenures with us. With an enrollment of nearly 150 lawyers per year, the College has refined the skills of thousands of lawyers from across the world, from Australia to South Africa to Japan.
The format of the program has remained its cornerstone: lectures and demonstrations by prominent faculty, followed by extensive training in small groups with instructors. Attendees practice and perform every advocacy skill in a simulated setting within these groups, then receive constructive critique from the faculty and peers. After this hands-on trial skills training, lawyers are paired to prepare and try a case against another pair of attendees before an experienced trial judge.
In 2026, the College is thrilled to be partnering with William & Mary Law School to offer the program on their beautiful campus in historic Williamsburg.
| 4:00 | Check-in — William & Mary Law School Foyer |
| 7:00 | Check-in closes to reopen Saturday morning |
| 7:45 | Check-in / Continental Breakfast — William & Mary Law School Foyer |
| 8:45 | Administrative Announcements — Classroom 119 |
| 9:00 | Lecture — Theory of Advocacy and Opening Statements Saltzburg |
| 9:45 | Demonstration of Opening Statements |
| 10:15 | Critique Saltzburg |
| 10:30 | Travel Break |
| 10:45 | Small Group Practice |
| Lunch Break (60 min) timed at the instructor’s discretion | |
| 3:30 | Travel Break |
| 3:45 | Lecture — Direct and Cross-Examination Saltzburg |
| 4:30 | Demonstration of Direct and Cross-Examination |
| 5:00 | Critique Saltzburg |
| 5:30 | Reception and Dinner with Faculty, Attendees, and Guests |
| 7:00 | Adjourn |
| 8:30 | Continental Breakfast — William & Mary Law School Foyer |
| 9:00 | Small Group Practice — Direct and Cross-Examination |
| Lunch Break (60 min) | |
| Faculty assign closing arguments | |
| 2:30 | Travel Break |
| 2:45 | Lecture — Jury Consultant |
| 4:00 | Lecture — Closing Argument |
| 4:45 | Demonstration of Closing Argument |
| 5:30 | Critique Saltzburg |
| 5:45 | Distribution and Explanation of Final Trial |
| 6:00 | Adjourn |
| 8:30 | Continental Breakfast — William & Mary Law School Foyer |
| 9:00 | Small Group Practice — Closing Argument, Opening Argument, Direct and Cross-Examination |
| 11:45 | Faculty assign witness and lawyer roles for afternoon. |
| 12:00 | Lunch, preparation for afternoon |
| 1:30 | Small Group Practice — Openings, Directs, Crosses, and Closing Argument in Final Trial |
| 9:00 | Final trial assignments announced — Auditorium |
| 9:30 | Small Group Practice — All Aspects, Trial Preparation for Wednesday Morning Trial |
| Lunch Break (60 min) | |
| 2:00 | Small Group Practice — Trial Preparation for Wednesday Afternoon Trial |
| 5:30 | Final Small Group Practice — Auditorium |
| 6:00 | Adjourn |
| 7:30 | Continental Breakfast — William & Mary Law School Foyer |
| 8:00 | Set up courtroom for Morning Final Trial |
| 8:30 | Final Morning Trial (hard stop at 12:15) |
| 12:15 | Box Lunch |
| 12:45 | Set up courtroom for Afternoon Final Trial |
| 1:00 | Final Afternoon Trial (hard stop at 4:30) |
LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS
All participants attend daily live lectures and demonstrations by some of the finest speakers and lawyers in the country. In addition, from the beginning of the program, each participant will be assigned to a small group of like-experienced lawyers. Within the groups — individually led by at least one experienced trial lawyer or judge from our faculty — each participant will study and perform every aspect of trial advocacy: opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination, and closing argument.
SKILLS PRACTICE
Throughout the week, each group will learn and practice advocacy skills under the guidance of a different faculty member. Participants will take part in individual exercises, with accompanying group discussions and critique, designed to focus on particular advocacy skills.
MOCK TRIAL
Finally, the skill-building and practice will culminate in participants conducting, as lead counsel, a live mock trial typically presided over by an experienced federal or state court judge. After training ends on Tuesday, a conference on the final trials will be held that afternoon, and participants will be given time to prepare for their presentations. Each participant will have a mock trial on Wednesday, morning or afternoon, and serve as a witness for the other trial. At the conclusion of each trial, the judge will discuss and critique the trial with the participants.
SUPPORT MATERIALS
During the course, program participants will work with two case files, ranging from relatively simple to quite sophisticated, so that the participants can develop and practice their advocacy skills in different contexts. The files afford lawyers of all levels of experience—whether they handle civil, criminal, or commercial matters—opportunities to attack problems that will challenge them.
Each registrant will also receive a copy of the new Trying Cases to Win: In One Volume by Stephen A. Saltzburg and Herbert J. Stern—a $120 value.
Each attendee have the opportunity to video record his or her individual performances and critiques, including his or her performance as lead counsel in the mock trial. Tripods will be provided.
Situated in the heart of the city, the Williamsburg Lodge—Autograph Collection blends Southern elegance with modern comforts for a home-like feel at 310 South England Street.
Take advantage of Virginia CLE’s special group rate of $189/night* by reserving by July 7 at 5 p.m. Reserve at this link or call the hotel’s group reservations line at 800.261.9530.
* Plus $2/night for occupance tax, 12% city/state tax, $10/night for self parking
Virginia CLE will provide eight $1,000 scholarships to assist attorneys with the cost of attending this program. To be considered, please complete the brief application below. All applicants will be notified of their status by May 15.
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