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.
Plan Your Symposium Weekend
Review the full two-day agenda, reserve your seat, book your hotel room, or contact Trial School with any questions.
Learn From Leading Trial Lawyers
Mike Kelly
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Andrew Finkelstein
Finkelstein & Partners LLP
Rich Newsome
Newsome Law
Doris Cheng
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Ben Rubinowitz
Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf
Julie Kane
Colson Hicks Eidson
Joe Fried
Fried Goldberg LLC
Judy Livingston
Kramer Dillof Livingston & Moore, LLP
Kathleen Nastri
Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC
Charla Aldous
Aldous Law Trial Lawyers
Jim Perdue, Jr.
Perdue & Kidd
Mel Orchard
The Spence Law Firm
John Uustal
Kelley | Uustal
Jane Paulson
Paulson Coletti Law Firm
Eric Kennedy
Weisman, Kennedy & Berris
Jesse Wilson
Tell the Winning Story
Marc Diller
Diller Law
Dr. John Naranja
Diller Law
Join Us in Chicago
Spend two days learning, watching, practicing, and refining the skills that matter when you stand up in front of a jury.
Leave with usable tools
This program is designed around specific techniques, questions, and strategies lawyers can immediately apply.
See it, then do it
Day 1 includes lectures and demonstrations. Day 2 gives attendees the opportunity to practice in small breakout groups.
Built for today’s jurors
The program addresses the realities of modern juries, including bias, technology, distrust, changing expectations, and the evolving tools available to trial lawyers.
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