Orman L. Kimbrough, Jr. was once again an instructor at this year’s Trial Advocacy Seminar put on by the Florida Bar and The Trial Lawyers Section in conjunction with the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law. Diego M. Madrigal, III, was a participant at this year’s seminar which resulted in a Partner and Associate taking on the roles of Instructor and Student.
The seminar is a hands-on, learn by doing trial skills training. While there were lectures, discussions and demonstrations put on by Mr. Kimbrough and the other instructors, Mr. Madrigal and the other participants learned primarily through participating in witness examinations, opening statements and closing arguments. All of the exercises were conducted in a simulated courtroom as if it was an actual trial.
The student’s participation in the simulated trial was videotaped. They then had the opportunity to review their performances one-on-one with one of the instructors on ways to improve their trial skills.