Attorneys sharpen courtroom skills at inaugural program

Among the faculty members at the Trial Advocacy Program last month were (seated, left to right) retired U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts, now a mediator with JAMS; criminal defense attorney Steve Fishman; Patrick Hickey of Hickey Hauck Bishoff; and Lena Gonzalez of Bush Seyferth; along with (standing, left to right) Thomas O’Brien of Miller Canfield; James Gerometta of Law Offices of James Gerometta; Audrey Forbush of Plunkett Cooney; Mark Chutkow of Dykema; Keefe Brooks of Brooks Wilkins; David Mann of A Simple Message; Patrick Martin of Saul Ewing; Layne Sakwa of the Law Offices of Layne Ashley Sakwa; Patrick Seyferth of Bush Seyferth; Michael Carter of Honigman; Gerald Gleeson of Miller Canfield; U.S. District Court Judge David Lawson; Thomas Cranmer of Miller Canfield; George Donnini of Butzel; U.S. District Court Judge Robert White; and Lauren Mandel of the U.S. District Court.


Fifty-four attorneys took part in the inaugural Eastern District of Michigan Trial Advocacy Program (TAP) June 24-26 at the Theodore Levin United States Courthouse in Detroit.

The immersive trial advocacy program was developed in coordination with the Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Michigan, and was spread across five courtrooms in the federal courthouse. 

“This year’s Fellows – emerging trial attorneys selected for hands-on advocacy development – spent the program practicing opening statements, direct and cross examination, and closing arguments in a courtroom setting,” said a spokesperson for the Trial Advocacy Program. 

“Each exercise was followed by immediate, individualized feedback from a distinguished faculty of veteran litigators and members of the federal judiciary, giving Fellows a chance to refine their technique in real time,” the spokesperson noted. 

“It served as a great opportunity to see the bench and bar working side by side to strengthen the trial advocacy skills across the Michigan legal community. TAP continues to serve as a practical training ground and mentorship bridge, preparing new attorneys to enter the courtroom with strengthened skills and greater confidence.”

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