Trial Skills College 2026
April 16–18
Click here to complete our Trial Skills College survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9HDFKCH
Registration for 2026 Trial Skills College is full. Please call OCDLA to be put on the waitlist.
OPEN TO OCDLA MEMBERS ONLY
LIMITED to 36 participants, a maximum of two lawyers per office.
The Trial Skills College is an intensive program and a time commitment. We expect attendees to attend all sessions, and not leave early. The success of group exercises depends on each student’s participation and attendance.
HOW TO REGISTER. To ensure geographic and human diversity only two people from the same office may register, and registration is by phone only — call 541-686-8716 today! (We are happy to put additional people on the waiting list as schedules do change and positions at TSC often open up).
The Trial Skills College takes place in two different locations. We start on Thursday April 16th at the OCDLA office, 101 East 14th Avenue, Eugene, OR and on Friday and Saturday at the Public Defender Services of Lane County office, 180 East 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR.
An intensive three day training limited to 36 participants focusing on voir dire, opening statements, cross-examination and closing argument. The program includes lectures and demonstrations by faculty, and small group exercises where students practice each trial skill in a learn-by-doing approach in a controlled non-threatening environment. The exercises are videotaped and then individually critiqued by an instructor during private meetings with participants.
Students receive an electronic trial binder and instructions in advance to prepare. Participants also play the parts of witnesses and jurors, further adding to the real-life feel of the trial experience.
The training will significantly advance your skills and confidence as a trial lawyer, no matter your experience level.
Oregon Faculty/Instructors are joined by
Special Guest Faculty Member —
Keith Belzer, Nelson Defense Group, Hudson, Wisconsin
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by April 2 (two weeks prior) will receive a refund minus a $100 cancellation fee.
After April 2 (two weeks prior) there are no refunds, including for inclement weather. It is difficult to fill a space late in the process.
2026 Trial Skills College
April 16–18 • Eugene, OR
Moderated by: Laura Fine
Thursday, April 16
LOCATION: OCDLA Office, 101 East 14th Avenue
12:00p Registration/Check-In / OCDLA Office
1:00p Welcome and Introductions
Speaker: Laura Fine, Attorney at Law, Eugene
1:15p Demo: Opening Statement
Demo: Jeni Feinberg, Attorney at Law, Medford
1:30p Lecture Theme + Theory, Good Facts Bad Facts and Different Ways to Approach It
Speaker: Keith Belzer, Nelson Defense Group, Hudson WI
2:45p Break
3:00p Lecture: Opening Statement
Speaker: Paul Rudof, PD Services of Lane County, Inc., Eugene
3:30p Setting the Scene
Speaker: Joshua Cohen, Fat Pencil Studio, Portland
3:45p How to Prepare for Tomorrow Morning, Trial Binder and Importance of Organization
Speaker: Laura Fine, Law Office of Laura A. Fine PC, Veneta
4:00p Introductory Breakout Session
4:45p Adjourn.
Friday, April 17
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
7:30a Breakfast
8:00a Lecture: Closing Argument
Speaker: Reid Kajikawa, PD Services of Lane County, Eugene
8:45a Break and move to small groups
9:00a Small Group Workshop #1 on Closing Argument with Video Review
10:30a Break/ Transition back to main room
10:45a Demo: Closing Argument
Speaker: Conor Huseby, Boise Huseby LLP, Portland
11:00a All in the Same Boat
Speaker: Laura Fine, Attorney at Law, Eugene
11:15a Demonstrative Evidence
Speaker: Joshua Cohen, Fat Pencil Studio, Portland
11:45a Lunch (included)
12:30p Lecture: Cross-Examination
Speaker: Rosalind Lee, Attorney at Law, Eugene
1:15p Instruction on the Thuemmel Drill
Speaker: Laura Fine, Attorney at Law, Eugene
1:20p Break/ Transition to small groups
1:30p Practice of the Thuemmel drill in small group
1:50p Small Group Workshop #1 on Cross-Examination with Video Review
2:50p Break/move to atrium
April 16–18 • Eugene, OR
Moderated by: Laura Fine
Thursday, April 16
LOCATION: OCDLA Office, 101 East 14th Avenue
12:00p Registration/Check-In / OCDLA Office
1:00p Welcome and Introductions
Speaker: Laura Fine, Attorney at Law, Eugene
1:15p Demo: Opening Statement
Demo: Jeni Feinberg, Attorney at Law, Medford
1:30p Lecture Theme + Theory, Good Facts Bad Facts and Different Ways to Approach It
Speaker: Keith Belzer, Nelson Defense Group, Hudson WI
2:45p Break
3:00p Lecture: Opening Statement
Speaker: Paul Rudof, PD Services of Lane County, Inc., Eugene
3:30p Setting the Scene
Speaker: Joshua Cohen, Fat Pencil Studio, Portland
3:45p How to Prepare for Tomorrow Morning, Trial Binder and Importance of Organization
Speaker: Laura Fine, Law Office of Laura A. Fine PC, Veneta
4:00p Introductory Breakout Session
4:45p Adjourn.
Friday, April 17
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
7:30a Breakfast
8:00a Lecture: Closing Argument
Speaker: Reid Kajikawa, PD Services of Lane County, Eugene
8:45a Break and move to small groups
9:00a Small Group Workshop #1 on Closing Argument with Video Review
10:30a Break/ Transition back to main room
10:45a Demo: Closing Argument
Speaker: Conor Huseby, Boise Huseby LLP, Portland
11:00a All in the Same Boat
Speaker: Laura Fine, Attorney at Law, Eugene
11:15a Demonstrative Evidence
Speaker: Joshua Cohen, Fat Pencil Studio, Portland
11:45a Lunch (included)
12:30p Lecture: Cross-Examination
Speaker: Rosalind Lee, Attorney at Law, Eugene
1:15p Instruction on the Thuemmel Drill
Speaker: Laura Fine, Attorney at Law, Eugene
1:20p Break/ Transition to small groups
1:30p Practice of the Thuemmel drill in small group
1:50p Small Group Workshop #1 on Cross-Examination with Video Review
2:50p Break/move to atrium
3:05p Lecture: Plea Bargains and Ethics
Speaker: Robert Moon, Attorney at Law, Baker City
4:05p Demo: Cross-Examination, Including Controlling a Difficult Witness
Speaker: Keith Belzer, Nelson Defense Group, Hudson WI
Keith Belzer, will cross-examine Dr. Mary Jane Snitch. Dr. Snitch to be played by Laura Fine
4:20p Q & A from students about any issues
4:35p Adjourn for the day.
Saturday, April 18
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
8:00a Doors open and continental breakfast available
8:30a Small Group Workshop #2 on Cross-Examination with Video Review
10:00a Break/move to Atrium
10:10a Voir Dire: Demo & Lecture
Speaker: Justin Rosas, Attorney at Law, Medford
11:10a Break/transition to small groups
11:15a Small Group Workshop on Voir Dire with Video Review
1:15p Group Photo
1:25p Lunch
1:55p Return to small groups
1:55p Small Groups — Closing Argument Workshop #2, Demos
2:40p Break/Return to Atrium
2:50p Closing Remarks: Integration of Theme & Theory into Each Aspect of Trial
Speaker: Keith Belzer, Nelson Defense Group, Hudson WI
3:35p Adjourn
Speaker: Robert Moon, Attorney at Law, Baker City
4:05p Demo: Cross-Examination, Including Controlling a Difficult Witness
Speaker: Keith Belzer, Nelson Defense Group, Hudson WI
Keith Belzer, will cross-examine Dr. Mary Jane Snitch. Dr. Snitch to be played by Laura Fine
4:20p Q & A from students about any issues
4:35p Adjourn for the day.
Saturday, April 18
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
8:00a Doors open and continental breakfast available
8:30a Small Group Workshop #2 on Cross-Examination with Video Review
10:00a Break/move to Atrium
10:10a Voir Dire: Demo & Lecture
Speaker: Justin Rosas, Attorney at Law, Medford
11:10a Break/transition to small groups
11:15a Small Group Workshop on Voir Dire with Video Review
1:15p Group Photo
1:25p Lunch
1:55p Return to small groups
1:55p Small Groups — Closing Argument Workshop #2, Demos
2:40p Break/Return to Atrium
2:50p Closing Remarks: Integration of Theme & Theory into Each Aspect of Trial
Speaker: Keith Belzer, Nelson Defense Group, Hudson WI
3:35p Adjourn
Thursday, April 16
LOCATION: OCDLA Office,101 East 14th Avenue
Friday, April 17
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
Saturday, April 18
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
LOCATION: OCDLA Office,101 East 14th Avenue
Friday, April 17
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
Saturday, April 18
LOCATION: Public Defender Services of Lane County Office, 180 East 111h Avenue
Call OCDLA to register (541) 686-8716.