Montana Lawyer February/March 2024

YOU SHOULD KNOW A Montana law school tradition continues: 2024 Advanced Trial Advocacy School Blewett School of Law

school’s commitment to training law yers for the people-oriented practice of law: “Montana’s law school has a tradi tion of providing excellent trial skills training for its students. As Montana’s only law school, we want to do the same for Montana’s practicing bar. The law school’s Advanced Trial Advocacy School has had a long tradition of pro viding excellent trial advocacy training. After a short hiatus during COVID, the law school offers the 29th Advanced Trial Advocacy School this spring. We are excited to partner with Montana’s experienced litigators to provide this learning opportunity for the Montana bar.” “Trial school not only provides exceptional training opportunities, but also invaluable mentorship,” says Judge Karen Townsend, who is partnering with the law school in organizing this year’s program. This year participating judges include U.S. Magistrate Katie DeSoto, and Montana District Judges Jason Marks and Mike Menahan. Faculty also incudes experienced attor neys from both the plaintiffs and defense bars and the prosecution and criminal defense bars. The extensive trial experi ence of the advanced trial school faculty

makes this program an invaluable learn ing opportunity for practicing litigators who wish to hone their trial skills. The law school has applied for 30 continuing legal education credits, including ethics credits, for the course. Participants will benefit from a dynamic skills program that fosters camaraderie and a time-tested approach to sharpen ing trial advocacy skills. By participat ing, attorneys contribute to and benefit from the rich tapestry of knowledge and experience that defines the Montana legal community. Register for the 29th Advanced Trial Advocacy School at the law school’s webpage Advanced Trial Advocacy School (umt.edu). HOW TO REGISTER The law school has applied for 30 CLE credits for the 29th Advanced Trial Advocacy School May 20-24. You can register at the law school’s website at umt.edu, or by scanning the QR code below on this page .

This coming May 20-24, the Alexander Blewett III School of Law brings back an important Montana tradition, the Advanced Trial Advocacy School. The week-long program offers in-depth trial skills training for Montana litigators. Attorneys will hone their trial skills and receive feedback from current federal and state Montana judges and from seasoned Montana trial attorneys. Judges, trial attorneys, and communica tions experts will offer skills training to up to 30 attorneys. The law school in vites Montana lawyers to register for the 29th Advanced Trial Advocacy School. During the week-long program, attendees will hear lectures on case analysis, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a case, and approaches to developing a powerful theme of the case. Attendees will also sharpen trial skills including cross-examination and making and meeting objections. Expert faculty will demonstrate trial skills before attendees practice those skills in workshops. Judges, experienced litiga tors, and communications specialists will provide immediate feedback. Dean Gagliardi conveys the law

Advanced Trial Advocacy School May 20-24, 2024

10 MONTANA LAWYER

WWW.MONTANABAR.ORG