38th Annual Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute

The ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute offers the nation’s preeminent family law trial skills experience. The University of Missouri at Kansas City will host the weeklong program taught by a stellar faculty that includes some of the most distinguished lawyers, judges, academics, psychologists, and business valuation experts in the country.

The TAI (Trial Advocacy Institute) is a “learning by doing” trial training program. The format of the program includes attention to every part of trial practice, including how to structure and deliver opening statements, direct and cross examination, work with exhibits, and closing arguments.  The faculty teaches the skills through lectures, demonstrating the skills, and watching the participants perform the skills in mock courtroom format followed by in-class critiques and individual video critique sessions.   

Working from a fictional family law fact pattern consisting of issues commonly seen in real family law cases (e.g. custody, maintenance, business valuation issues), students perform practice exercises in classrooms under the guidance of rotating faculty members. The classroom faculty informally critiques the students' performances and provides tips and suggestions to help the students improve. The exercises are recorded, and as an added benefit, students then receive one-on-one coaching immediately after the performance by another faculty member. 

In addition to lectures and demonstrations on proper trial technique, faculty also lecture on other topics related to conducting a successful family law trial, including: 

• Communication skills;

• Crafting the story of the case;

• Common evidentiary issues found in family law litigation;

• Deconstructing child custody evaluations;

• Understanding the principles of business valuation.

The week culminates in an actual trial, where students put together all they have learned throughout the week. As part of the preparation process, faculty will be available to coach and mentor. Business valuation experts will also be helping the students prepare their case for trial. 

Space in this Institute is limited and participants must be admitted to the active practice of law in at least one jurisdiction.