CELA's 11th Annual Trial College
Thursday, May 28 - Saturday, May 30, 2026
Southwestern Law School

Using a learn-by-doing approach, CELA’s 3-day Trial College strives to arm participants with the experience and confidence to take cases to trial. Trial College will focus on basic trial skills where seasoned employment trial lawyers will guide participants through the different stages of trial: voir dire (with live jurors), opening statement, direct examination, cross-examination and closing argument.

Trial College will include intensive, hands-on trial training. Participants will be divided into small groups of attorneys with relatively similar experience levels. Each participant will be video recorded. Participants will receive critiques and feedback in both group and individual settings. Interspersed during full-day training sessions, leaders in the employment/civil rights community will present live demonstrations. 

Trainers:
J. Bernard Alexander, Michael Baltaxe, Pat Barrera, Lawrance Bohm, Jason Erlich, Tamara Freeze, Karl Gerber, Paul Glusman, Kelly Hanker, Brian Hannemann, Angel Horacek, Laura Horton, Jared Irmas, Toni Jaramilla, Angie Kwik, Michelle Neumann, Brian Olney, Greg Paul, Lisa Peck, David Ratner, Alan Romero, Kevin Schwin, Bobby Shukla, Dan Stormer, Jordanna Thigpen, and Jeannette Vaccaro

GENERAL INFORMATION

CELA Trial College will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 28-30, 2026, from 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM. Due to high demand, limited space, and time commitment on the part of Trial College participants and trainers, please register only if you are 100 percent positive you can participate in the event in its entirety. 

· Trial College registration is open to current CELA attorney members only, and membership must be active over the Trial College Dates.
· There will be significant pre-Trial College reading and preparation (minimum 20 hours prep time).
· There will be one informational webinar prior to the Trial College. 
· Trial College registration includes all training materials, breakfast, lunch and refreshments.
· Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register only if you are 100 percent positive you can attend the event in its entirety. Refunds are not guaranteed; see cancellation policy below.
· No “observation only” registrations available. You must fully participate in Trial College.
· No partial attendance – all three days required. No refunds will be given for partial attendance, no exceptions.
· Refunds are not guaranteed. Prior to May 4, we will only issue a refund if we are able to swap you out with someone on the event waiting list. If we are not able to fill your spot, you will NOT be refunded. 
· Absolutely no refunds, credits or cancellations after Monday May 4, 2026 (no exceptions).

CELA Education Committee
Trial College Planning Subcommittee
J. Bernard Alexander
Michael Baltaxe
Dustin Collier
Adrianne De Castro
Tamara Freeze
Angie Kwik

CELA THANKS ITS event SPONSORS

      

 

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This program has been approved for credit in the following jurisdiction(s):

State Bar Of California

Credit has been approved with the State Bar Of California for 26.00 General credits.

Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles, CA

3050 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010

AIRPORTS

The closest airports are Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) (14 miles) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (20 miles).

CANCELLATION & SUBSTITUTION POLICY

Trial College Cancellation Policy: Refunds are not guaranteed. Prior to May 4, we will only issue a refund if we are able to swap you out with someone on the event waiting list. If we are not able to fill your spot, you will NOT be refunded. Absolutely no refunds, credits or cancellations after Monday, May 4, 2026.
NO ATTENDEE SUBSTITUTIONS: If you are unable to attend Trial College, you are not allowed to designate someone else to use your registration. Please let us know ASAP if you cannot attend so someone on the waiting list can take your place. Note the cancellation policy above.