AABANY’s Litigation Committee is proud to present the 2026 Trial Advocacy Program (“TAP”) at the Fall Conference this year. TAP offers junior lawyers a unique opportunity to hone their trial skills under the guidance of seasoned trial veterans (former state and federal prosecutors and state and federal trial judges) and receive constructive feedback to help you become a stronger trial advocate. This year, we will conduct TAP as its own track at the Conference, focusing on essential trial skills, including opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, and closing statements. Participants will be given a mock trial problem to work through with a partner and then perform the mock trial for a faculty of mentors, who will provide individualized critiques to help participants sharpen their trial advocacy skills.
Please note that TAP registrants will have to attend all TAP sessions to receive CLE credits.
Please also note that your registration includes the Plenary Lunch Session and the Cocktail Reception at the end of the day. TAP registrants can attend any of the CLE programs being offered during the last afternoon session, which are scheduled for 4:15 to 5:45 pm. You can attend the Diversity Career Fair only during the times that do not conflict with TAP sessions.
Agenda & Curriculum:
Registrants will be asked to prepare portions of openings, direct examinations, cross-examinations, and summations focused on developing specific skills relevant to each. Registrants will receive the fact pattern and materials around September 11, 2026, along with further information as to what skills they should focus on as they prepare their examinations.
The program will begin at 9:00 am and will consist of speaker lectures on direct examination, cross-examination, and summation and closing practice tips. Students will be able to practice and hone their trial skills in small group settings and will receive individualized, tailored feedback on their presentation and efficacy.
Schedule (subject to change) – students must stay for all parts to get full credit (5.5 credits total):
- 9:00 AM – 10:50AM: Presentation on Opening, Directs, Crosses and Summations (Judge Cho, Judge Wang, Joe Gim) – 2 credits
- 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM: Breakout Session 1- Mock Openings and Direct Examination – 1.5 credits
- 2:30 PM – 03:20 PM: Breakout Session 2- Mock Cross Examination – 1 credit
- 03:25 PM – 04:15 PM Breakout Session 3 – Mock Closings – 1 credit
Confirmed Faculty and Speakers:
Experienced judges and trial attorneys will serve as lecturers and/or coaches who will provide feedback in small group settings. Students will have the opportunity to practice in front of them and ask questions on best practices and applicable rules.
The list of confirmed faculty and speakers include the following, and will be updated as we near the date of the program.
- Hon. James R. Cho (U.S. District Court, E.D.N.Y.)
- Hon. Frances Wang (Queens Supreme Court)
- Joe Gim (Chief of Criminal Court, Kings County District Attorney’s Office)
- Jacqueline Choi (In-House Litigation Counsel, Red Apple Group, Inc.)
- Genny Ngai (Partner, Morrison Cohen)
- Hana C. Kim (Bureau Chief, Financial Frauds Bureau, Queens County District Attorney)
- Qian (Sheila) Shen (Partner, Holland & Knight LLP)
- Sarah Khan (Homicide ADA, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office)
Please see the pricing chart below. To register, click the price of your desired ticket.
Please note that in order to redeem the member pricing, you must be logged into your AABANY account.
|
MEMBER PRICES |
EARLY BIRD PRICES |
REGULAR PRICES |
|
$165 | |
|
$125 | |
|
NON-MEMBER PRICES |
EARLY BIRD PRICES |
REGULAR PRICE |
|
$305 | |
|
$180 |
Financial aid is available for qualified attorneys.
Please request a financial aid application from [email protected] before registering.
The deadline to request financial aid is September 11th, 2026.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations for any AABANY Fall Conference (Fall Conference) registration must be submitted via email to [email protected]. If a cancellation is received on or before Friday, September 18, 2026, AABANY will reimburse all fees paid minus a twenty-five dollar ($25) administrative fee. There will be no refunds for cancellations received after 11:59 pm ET on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Transfer Policy: Request for transfer of any Fall Conference registration to another individual must be submitted via email to [email protected]. You must submit the full name and email address of the transferee. Transfer requests received after 11:59 pm ET on Friday, September 18, 2026, will not be accepted.
Photograph/Video Policy: By registering for the Fall Conference, you agree to grant AABANY the right to photograph, film, and use your likeness and voice in AABANY related publicity and advertising.
Standards of Professionalism: Please review the Standards of Professionalism and indicate your agreement to abide by them by checking off the appropriate box in the registration form.