NITA Training a Big Success

PJDC co-sponsored the first ever National Institute for Trial Advocacy training for California delinquency attorneys, held September 16-18 at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.   Fifty participants from all over the state took part in the three day event.  National NITA faculty worked with local faculty to provide top of the line trial skills using a hypothetical delinquency case that unfolded as each topic was introduced.   The training alternated lecture with breakout sessions in which participants demonstrated their skills at direct and cross-examination, introducing documents, refreshing recollection and impeaching witnesses, arguing the case, and navigating ethical dilemmas in delinquency cases.   Response to the training was overwhelmingly positive.  PJDC co-sponsored the event with the Loyola Center for Juvenile Law & Policy, the California Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network, and the Youth Law Center.    The National Institute for Trial Advocacy and local faculty contributed their time to make this event possible.  Local faculty included PJDC members Sherry Gold, Jonathan Laba, Maureen Pacheco, Jennifer Mayer, Rourke Stacey, Denise Nolan, and Sanders Smith.