About

“Educating, Training and Developing Extraordinary Legal Advocates”

Educating, training, and developing extraordinary legal advocates … That’s our mission at the California Desert Trial Academy.

CDTA was founded by John Patrick Dolan and Irene Garcia Dolan after conversations with F. Lee Bailey and Gerry Spence. These powerhouse trial attorneys bemoaned the dearth of law school graduates who held the skills required to excel in the courtroom.  While it is not a requirement that you become a trial attorney with your law degree from CDTA, you will be exceptionally prepared to should you wish. CDTA is the only law school in the country dedicated to trial advocacy

We are proud to offer  California State Bar Tested Courses for students wishing to become legal advocates in addition to Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit classes for those already practicing.

CDTA welcomes students for admission with two or four year degrees as well as students with at least 60 transferable credits.

All our California State Bar tested courses are uniquely taught in a real courtroom environment. Most classes are taught by two professors who are highly respected and experienced attorneys and judges.

1. We Commit to Keeping You in School! It often feels as if law school is an exercise in exclusion, not inclusion. Not at CDTA. We are committed to assisting students in whatever obstacles they face throughout their law school experience to have you graduate and pass the bar exam.
2. LexisNexis Advance, the premier legal research platform, is included in your tuition. Learn how to research and apply case authority with the same tools you will use in your law practice.
3. Exam Soft the only software used in the administration of the Baby Bar and General Bar exams, is also included in your tuition. All practice exams as well as midterm and final examinations at CDTA are administered through Examsoft. You will feel confident when sitting for the State Bar exams with repeated exposure to this format.
4. Fleming’s Fundamentals of Law Legal Essay Exam Writing Workshop is a two-day, twelve-hour program that teaches you the three skills every law student must develop and master to pass legal essay exams. You will receive both the live and home study version of the course, included in your tuition.
5. Student Support course reviews are provided to each student as part of your tuition. Every bar tested subject is condensed into a substantive review with complete outlines taught by bar review professor, Jeff Fleming. These video outlines are available 24/7 and offer an invaluable study aid for final exam and bar exam preparation.
6. Fleming’s Fundamentals of Law Students who live within 50 miles of the school can attend CDTA in a hybrid online/in-person program via the Zoom platform. All students must attend the Saturday Enrichment program every week, as well as take midterm and final exams in person.
7. Our Saturday Enrichment Program is considered by many the “not so secret” key to our students’ success. Legal essay writing is unlike any other form of writing you may have experienced. Practicing essay writing and multiple-choice questions under simulated exam conditions means that when you sit for the bar exams, it will be second nature to tackle the same types of questions.
8. Student Support is invaluable to your success. Our students have found that together they can accomplish what might be impossible alone. You will find that CDTA students and alumni form a family-like bond and share their experience, study tips, and advise on balancing school, work, and home life.
9. Weekly “Barrister” Luncheons provided by CDTA allow students, attorneys, and judicial officers an opportunity to share their experiences and to network while enjoying a meal during the Saturday Classes noon break.
10. Snacks and Drinks are provided at all CDTA classes and events at no charge to you. Never underestimate the power of a little sustenance to get you through a long day!

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