NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA (July 12, 2023) – Due to overwhelming demand, The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) is inviting diverse trial lawyers to participate in the second Diversity Trial Advocacy Program to be held in 2023. The first program, capped at 50 participants, generated a waiting list of qualified applicants.

Diversity in the Courtroom Program

The College has long been committed to increasing its ranks of talented, accomplished and diverse trial lawyers by including more women and persons of color, varying ethnicities, disabilities, and sexual orientation. Through this program, the College expands its commitment by helping to develop the next generation of diverse and inclusive trial advocates.

“Our society is diverse. Our courtrooms are diverse. We believe the talented lawyers trying cases should better mirror the diversity in our courtrooms,” said ACTL Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy Committee Chair Thomas J. Heiden of Latham & Watkins LLP (Chicago, IL). “The emergence of a broader group of talented and diverse trial lawyers will benefit clients and our system of justice in general. We are delighted with the enthusiasm and talent of the participating lawyers and we will work to bring even more talented advocates of excellence to our courtrooms.”

After being enthusiastically endorsed by prior participants, faculty, and legal media, there was a universal plea that this program be continued as an annual event. The response to the second program, held in May 2023, was even greater. A second ACTL Diversity Trial Advocacy Program has been scheduled this year to meet this demand.

The College is thrilled to announce the third Diversity Trial Advocacy Program will take place in Chicago October 27-29, 2023. The program will again be organized by the ACTL Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy Committee and ACTL Fellows will serve as faculty. The program will be held at the Chicago offices of Latham & Watkins LLP (330 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611).

This innovative program strives to build faith, trust, and belief in the civil justice system. Preserving and protecting the rule of law and the civil trial system depends in part on the commitment provided today. The College is committed to these goals and to nurturing the next generation of excellent courtroom trial advocates.

You can help ensure the continued success of this program by nominating diverse litigators that you believe would benefit from this opportunity. The program will again be limited to 50 attendees and place will be reserved in the order of registration.

There is no tuition charge for the program.

Please contact Tom Heiden (thomas.heiden@retiredpartner.lw.com) with questions, notes of interest, or to nominate a lawyer.  Please contact Brittany Ehardt (brittany.ehardt@lw.com) or Macauley Rybar (macauley.rybar@lw.com) for questions related to registration. Please click here to register for the program.

Read the entire press release here.