Trial School Symposium
Voir Dire in 2026: Blending the Old with the New
Two days of practical jury selection training designed to help trial lawyers approach one of the scariest parts of trial with more confidence, more strategy, and more usable tools.
Wisdom, AI, and real-time practice.
Jury selection is often known as the scariest part of trial. It requires preparation, judgment, human connection, and the ability to think on your feet.
The 2026 Trial School Symposium will focus on voir dire in today’s courtroom, blending the old with the new: the hard-earned wisdom of experienced trial lawyers, the emerging role of AI in trial preparation, and the irreplaceable value of practicing with real people.
Day 1 will feature focused lectures, panels, and demonstrations. Day 2 will move into breakout rooms for an on-your-feet voir dire experience with coaching, feedback, and practical application.
Voir dire for the modern courtroom
This Symposium is designed for trial lawyers who want to become more comfortable talking with jurors, uncovering bias, using better questions, and preparing for jury selection in a world shaped by technology, polarization, distrust, and changing expectations.
Reserve Your Spot
Park Hyatt Chicago
- Official Symposium hotel
- Opening Night Reception at NoMI
- Located on the Magnificent Mile
- Walkable access to dining, shopping, and Chicago attractions
- Discounted Trial School room rate
Why Stay at the Host Hotel?
The Symposium officially concludes each day, but the conversations rarely do.
Many attendees choose to stay at the Park Hyatt to maximize networking opportunities with faculty, speakers, and fellow trial lawyers throughout the weekend.
Your reservation also places you steps away from Friday evening's opening reception at NoMI, one of Chicago's premier dining destinations.
Rooms are limited and expected to sell out before the event.
Program Format
The Symposium will combine high-level teaching with practical demonstrations and hands-on application.
Learn the strategy
Day 1 will focus on the recurring issues lawyers face in jury selection, with sessions designed to include both substantive teaching and practical demonstration.
- Focused teaching from experienced trial lawyers
- Practical voir dire strategies and courtroom language
- Demonstrations, examples, and role-play
- Takeaways that can be used in real cases
Practice the skill
Day 2 will move from learning to doing. Attendees will work in breakout rooms and practice voir dire techniques with real people, guidance, and feedback.
- Small-group breakout rooms
- On-your-feet voir dire exercises
- Practice with real people
- Real-time coaching and refinement
Mike Kelly
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Andrew Finkelstein
Finkelstein & Partners LLP
Rich Newsome
Newsome Law
Doris Cheng
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Joe Fried
Fried Goldberg LLC
Jim Perdue, Jr.
Perdue & Kidd
John Uustal
Kelley | Uustal
Mel Orchard
The Spence Law Firm
Jesse Wilson
Tell the Winning Story
Marc Diller
Diller Law
Dr. John Naranja
Diller Law
What We Plan to Explore
Final speakers and session titles will be announced soon, but the program is being developed around the real challenges trial lawyers face before and during jury selection.
Leave with usable tools
This program is being designed around specific techniques, questions, and strategies lawyers can immediately apply.
See it, then do it
Day 1 will include demonstrations. Day 2 will give attendees the chance to practice in breakout rooms.
Built for today’s jurors
The program will address the realities of modern juries, including AI, bias, technology, distrust, and changing expectations.
What Past Attendees Say
“The Symposium was the best CLE I’ve attended in 33 years of practice.”
“One of the few conferences where I actually walk away with practical skills I use at trial.”
“Unparalleled quality of education compared to any organization I’ve participated in.”
Eligibility
The Symposium is exclusively for approved Trial School members.
Questions
Email admin@trialschool.org