William & Mary Law School to Host Virginia CLE's National Trial Advocacy College in August
William & Mary Law School is pleased to announce a partnership with Virginia Law Foundation (VLF) and Virginia CLE to host the National Trial Advocacy College August 8-12, 2026, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The nation’s premier trial training program, the National Trial Advocacy College has offered trial lawyers of all skill levels throughout the United States valuable experience since 1981.
The National Trial Advocacy College has been held at the University of Virginia Law School for the past 43 years, and William & May Law School is honored by the opportunity to steward the next chapter in the College’s history. As America’s first law school, William & Mary has a long history of preparing legal practitioners to excel in the field. This new partnership allows the Law School to expand its mission to provide an exceptional education for tomorrow’s lawyers by working alongside the VLF to provide an immersive trial training experience for litigators. Since announcing the move, the VLF has seen an increased interest in the program — a reflection on the value of this collaboration to the legal community.
“Our position as a nationally recognized leader in legal education is not a role we take lightly,” said Dean and Trustee Professor A. Benjamin Spencer, who is also a VLF Fellow. “By strengthening our relationship with the VLF and bringing the prestigious National Trial Advocacy College to the Law School, we are further advancing our capacity to prepare citizen lawyers for successful, meaningful careers in the advocacy space. We are grateful for this partnership and the benefits it will provide to our students and alumni.”
The College is a five-day immersive program that features live daily lectures from preeminent speakers and intensive hands-on training. Participants work in small groups led by at least one experienced trial lawyer or judge to practice advocacy skills in different trial contexts, culminating in a mock trial before a judge and, when possible, a jury. The program is especially beneficial for those seeking to enhance their litigation skills and gain lead counsel experience.
"Like William & Mary, the Virginia Law Foundation shares a deep commitment to developing and supporting the citizen lawyer,” said Virginia Law Foundation CEO, Brigadier General (Ret.) Alison Martin. "We couldn’t be more excited about this expanded partnership and how it is resonating with a broad legal community, but above all and through our partnership, we value the opportunity to empower leaders at all stages of their career through exceptional education."
William & Mary Law School alumni of all levels of trial experience are invited to register for the Trial College and participate in the program, where they will be grouped based on skill level. As part of the partnership between the College and Law School, the VLF is offering complimentary tuition to 16 William & Mary Law School students. Alumni with experience as first chair trial attorneys and judges are also encouraged to participate as faculty.
“As a proud alumnus of William & Mary Law School and a longtime faculty member of the National Trial Advocacy College, I know firsthand the extraordinary value of this partnership,” said Michael C. Zogby ’02, Co-Chair of the Trial & Global Disputes Group at Barnes & Thornburg LLP and member of the William & Mary Law School Foundation Board. “Both institutions have played an important role in preparing trial lawyers to become skilled, strategic and highly effective courtroom advocates. The Trial College’s intensive, learn-by-doing approach aligns perfectly with William & Mary Law School’s deep commitment to Legal Skills advocacy and practice-ready legal education. This program will offer tremendous value to William & Mary alumni, whether they participate to sharpen their own trial skills or serve as volunteer faculty and judges to mentor the next generation of advocates. I look forward to working alongside my fellow alumni to help train the next class of lawyers to succeed in the courtroom.”
Registration for the August 2026 National Trial Advocacy College at William & Mary Law School is now open at trialadcollege.org. Participants will earn 38.5 hours of CLE credit, including 36.5 hours of live-interaction credit and 2.0 hours of Ethics credit.
For more information and registration details, visit trialadcollege.org.