Free courtroom skills training in Miami
Leesfield Partners Courtroom series examines trial process
Attendees of Courtroom Session IV “Anatomy of a Trial: From Jury Selection to Closing Argument – Part I” at the Leesfield & Partners Miami office on January 13. Registration is now open for Part II.
Bar members are invited to register for a free training session, “Anatomy of a Trial from Jury Selection to Closing Argument — Part II,” on Thursday, March 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by Leesfield & Partners in Miami, located at 2350 South Dixie Highway.
“We have developed this series to share the experience and techniques of some of the state’s greatest legal minds,” Ira Leesfield said. “This is a hands-on learning series meant to foster future trial lawyers and teach essential skills, courtroom confidence, and ethical excellence from seasoned trial lawyers and judges.”
The session is part of Leesfield & Partners’ Courtroom program, a free, in-person, professional development series presented by experienced judges, leaders of national and state trial associations, chief and retired judges, federal magistrates, U.S. attorneys, and trial advocacy professors. The training series, which started in October 2025, was developed in response to concerns about declining courtroom decorum and skills. It covers a range of litigation approaches meant to reinforce the highest standards of representation.
“Every time I attend a CLE, there is talk about how much something like this is needed, but [Leesfield] actually made it happen — and [they] aren't even charging,” said recent attendee Julieth Monroy. “I cannot wait for the next session.”
“We have had people spilling out into the hall for nearly every session to listen in on the incredible trial stories from our faculty,” said Leesfield. “We were impressed by the quality of attendees — motivated, well-prepared, and ready to grow.”
The Courtroom curriculum was designed in partnership by retired Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis, founder of the Justice Teaching Center at Florida Southern College, and Leesfield, who delivered a similar chain of lectures to law students and practitioners in California, Michigan, and North Carolina approximately 10 years ago.
Courtroom training series presenters include:
- Senior Judge Paul Huck, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Senior Judge Federico A. Moreno, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Senior Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr., U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Magistrate Judge Detra Shaw-Wilder, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Chief Judge Edwin Scales III, Florida Third District Court of Appeal
- Judge Milton Hirsch, 11th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division
- Judge Richard J. Suarez (retired), Florida Third District Court of Appeal
- Judge Milton Hirsch, 11th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division
- Judge Ellen Leesfield, ADR, (retired), 11th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division
- Roland Sanchez-Medina, immediate past president of The Florida Bar
- Stephen Talpins, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office
- Kendall Coffey, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
- Lonny Rose, Professor Emeritus, University of Miami Law School
- T. Smith, Florida International University College of Law
- Justin B. Shapiro, Leesfield & Partners
- Clancey Bounds, Bounds Law Group
- Rachel Wagner Furst, Maderal Byrne & Furst
- Navan Ward, American Association for Justice
To register, or for additional training dates, CLE details and more information email [email protected] or call 305-854-4900.
