2012 Trial College Graduates 24

The 2012 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy wrapped up its eighth consecutive year on Saturday, August 4, adding 24 graduates to its roll. The emphasis of the College is on the student's preparation and presentation of a civil case, from the beginning of the trial to the closing argument. The first four days included small group presentations and exercises on direct and cross examinations, opening and closing statements, and voir dire. The College concluded with a mock trial in Superior Court.

Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

Elizabeth Ayodele Jeffrey McLerran, Campbell, Yost, Clare & Norell PC
William Bacon, Goldberg & Osborne Jay Powell, The Powell Law Firm PLC
Jamie Balson, Never Again Foundation Brian Pursell, Musgrove Drutz & Kack PC
Jothi Beljan, Office of the Attorney General Jasmina Richter, Sanders & Parks PC
Jonathan Brinson, Polsinelli Shughart PC Andrew St. John, Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
Jesse Callahan, Loose, Brown & Associates PC  Tod Stewart, Stewart & Torgersen PA
James Hanson, Lang Bakeer & Klain David Stout, Jr., Jones Skelton & Hochuli PLC
Justin Henry, Michael Cordova PC Taylor Swick, Ran Rapp & Underwood PLC
Jeremy Johnson, Jones Skelton & Hochuli PLC Charlene Tarver, Tarver Law Group
Julie LaBenz, Churchill & LeBenz Andrea Tazioli, Quarles & Brady LLP
Michael LeBlanc, Pima County Attorney's Office Tim Tonkin, Phillips Law Group PC
Kenneth McCain, Campbell, Yost, Clare & Norell PC   Clarence Witson II, Witson Law PC

Special thanks go to this year's faculty of experienced lawyers and judges:

James Abraham, John Ager, Marlene Appel, Will Auther, Hon. Christopher Browning, Terry Bublik, Larry Cohen, Peter Collins Jr., Susan Corey, Joel D. DeCiancio, Hector Diaz, John DiCaro, Jill Goldsmith, Mark Kennedy, Barry Lewis, Paul McGoldrick, Gregory Osborne, Leslie Rakestraw, Hon. Douglas L. Rayes, Bill Rubin, Barry Schneider, Lisa Sommer Devlin, Georgia Staton, and Chas Wirken.

What did the participants have to say about the College?

  • Fantastic "real world" experience.
  • It is the best course I have taken since law school.
  • Excellent program. The types of civil cases I handle don't lend themselves to many trials, so this has been invaluable.
  • It's an absolute must for a trial attorney.
  • It will make you a better lawyer and your job easier.

The 2013 College runs from July 30 through August 3. Make plans now to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact the program executive director, Hon. Rebecca Albrecht at Rebecca.Albrecht@azbar.org.