Congratulations to VTACDL member Bill Cristman who applied and was chosen to receive a full scholarship to attend the 2010 WTAI!

Western Trial Advocacy Institute
31st Annual Criminal Defense Seminar
June 5-10, 2010
Teaching Effective Communication and Trial Skills for all Lawyers

Now in its thirty-first year, the Western Trial Advocacy Institute continues to offers one of the most unique and exciting trial communication skills seminars in the country. Designed expressly for criminal defense attorneys, the Institute emphasizes the special interactions between and among lawyers, jurors, judges, and witnesses. Participants learn not just "how" things happen in the courtroom but also "why".

Led by one of the most talented and experienced faculties in the business, this program focuses on a step-by-step approach to assembling a winning defense. Nationally recognized trial lawyers present “hands-on” demonstrations of all critical phases of a trial, from voir dire to closing argument. That instruction is then carried through to small groups for individual performance and analysis. The course materials typically involve one or two actual criminal cases, including relevant pleadings and exhibits, allowing for a broad range of trial problems and challenges.

Curriculum includes:
• Communicating effectively in the courtroom with the jury, judge, and witnesses.
• How to win by telling your story at each stage of the trial.
• How to develop, present and prove a winning theory of the case.
• Special ethics presentation concerning problems faced by defense attorneys.
• Voir dire, opening statements, direct and cross-exam, and final argument.

The WTAI is held each summer at the University of Wyoming College of Law in Laramie, Wyoming. Enrollment is limited. The program for 2009 is on their website at www.westerntrial.com.

Scholarships

VTACDL is accepting applications for one full scholarship to this training for 2010. Full scholarship covers tuition, university housing and airline transportation. Some meals are included in the tuition.  Applicants must be current VTACDL members, have at least three years’ experience in practice, and a minimum of one felony trial or three misdemeanor trials. Send a letter of interest stating whether you meet these requirements and why you would like to attend to Kathy Finnie, VTACDL, 88 Beech Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452 or email vtacdl@myfairpoint.net by March 19, 2010.  Please call Kathy at 872-9757 if you have any questions.

VTACDL Members Stu Robinson and Stacey Neumann who attended the 2008 WTAI