Author: cdtalaw

Tools Of Trial Advocacy – Preparing For Voir Dire

Tools Of Trial Advocacy – Preparing For Voir Dire

There are many tools of trial advocacy that are important for attorney-advocates to perfect in law school and their practice. One tool that is often overlooked is the voir dire process – choosing a jury. The process of selecting those individuals responsible for fact-finding and deciding a legal matter is not one to be taken lightly. Voir dire may help attorneys identify jurors who can be fair and impartial, rather than unfair and biased. Attorneys are seeking those members of the jury pool who need to be removed and the questions of attorneys should be structured to expose them. As a preliminary...

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CDTA’s Courtroom Atmosphere

CDTA’s Courtroom Atmosphere

The California Desert Trial Academy (CDTA) is a modern, 21st Century law school. We provide legal instruction with an emphasis on transforming law students into not just lawyers, but effective attorney-advocates. One way that the CDTA facilitates this unique focus on the training of attorney-advocates is how each class provides a courtroom, rather than a classroom, atmosphere because it is in a real courtroom setting. Every class in each subject is presented by one of CDTA’s experienced professors in CDTA’s modern courtroom facilities. In fact, class sessions at CDTA typically include more than one legal scholar. These professionals interact with students...

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There are Many Paths To A Meaningful Legal Career – Alternate Dispute Resolution

There are Many Paths To A Meaningful Legal Career – Alternate Dispute Resolution

One of the benefits of a legal education is that law school graduates are not limited to careers working exclusively in the legal profession. There are many career paths for graduates, especially those that have developed into effective attorney-advocates. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a viable career for law school graduates although entering the field may require some years of experience practicing law. In fact, ADR may seem like less of an alternative career path than others because of its relationship to the litigation process. A diverse curriculum, like that of the California Desert Trial Academy (CDTA), helps law students develop...

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Studying & Time Efficiency

Studying & Time Efficiency

By now, graduate-level students know that having time to study is only beneficial if such time is used wisely. One of the most important (soft) skills in law school is maximizing time efficiency when studying. Closely related to this skill are a law student’s organizational and time-management skills. Law students who are not organized will probably be less efficient with the time they expend studying and preparing for class. Here are some tips to help law students get the most out of the precious time they have allotted to study. *Specifically designate your tasks for each study session. Do not just...

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Study Groups: Dividing The Workload

Study Groups: Dividing The Workload

When discussing the best ways to study while in law school, the mention of study groups tends to elicit differing reactions. Some students thrive in such groups while others perceive them as useless and a waste of valuable time. The success of a study group often depends on how and what work is divided among its members. In any given semester, the opportunities to participate in a study group may be minimal and any interested student may have to initiate the process. It is not unusual for many students to have little or no interest in study groups, which may make...

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How Long Should An Attorney Retain Client Records?

How Long Should An Attorney Retain Client Records?

Physical space may not be as great an issue in the digital age regarding the storage of client files, but the fact remains that the storage of client files is necessary for some time. But how long? Each state’s Rules of Professional Conduct specifically describe trust account records and for how long they must be kept by an attorney. A state’s ethical rules typically prescribe, as suggested standards, minimum periods for retaining client files that pertain to certain practice areas, with exception of trust account records. Attorneys are free to choose a longer or shorter term of retention of client files....

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There are Many Paths To A Meaningful Legal Career – Energy, Natural Resources, And The Environment

There are Many Paths To A Meaningful Legal Career – Energy, Natural Resources, And The Environment

There are a vast number of non-traditional legal careers that do not require a law degree. Based on data from the Association for Legal Career Professionals (NALP), annually approximately 10-15% of law school graduates find jobs after graduation in non-traditional legal positions. Employment available in alternative fields varies and can depend on a law school graduate’s undergraduate education and prior work experience. Many alternative careers are in compliance and regulatory affairs, management at all levels, policy analysis, strategic planning, labor relations, personnel and benefits, government, education, and nonprofits. There is a large amount of material out there listing alternative and non-traditional...

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What Is An Alternative Legal Career?

What Is An Alternative Legal Career?

At some point during their law school tenure, law students ponder and consider career options outside of the traditional practice of law. Students and graduates seek alternative careers for various reasons, such as a high level of personal interest in a sector, company, or job type. Alternative careers may be considered simply to facilitate a desire to work a less rigorous schedule than that required by the traditional practice of law. An alternative career may be any career outside of the law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, and judiciary at the heart of the current establishment of the legal profession....

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The Home Office

The Home Office

The digital age and the Internet have significantly affected lawyers’ ability to work at home. Today, many legal practitioners are choosing to base their offices at their residences. Modern technology allows attorneys to maintain accessibility and cost efficiency working at home. Basing a law practice at home is not for every lawyer. Anyone who is easily distracted may find working at home to be inefficient because of too many interruptions. Having to deal with children, spouses, or housemates may create too much chaos and disrupt any semblance of a peaceful work environment. It is beneficial to have an independent personality to...

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A Quick Guide To Running A Law Practice – Records, Calendars, And Dockets

A Quick Guide To Running A Law Practice – Records, Calendars, And Dockets

Calendaring and docketing help you to keep track of time. Records management helps you to keep track of paper. Many state bar associations often report negative audit findings related to attorneys properly tracking records and time. Malpractice insurance carriers expect attorneys to have two calendars minimally. One, a calendar that is typically on a computer (stored and backed up digitally), and, second, a manual (written) calendar. It makes a lot of sense for attorneys to make calendar entries themselves or, at least, have someone they entrust do it. The latter will require a consistent stream of communication and adequate knowledge of...

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