American Board of Trial Advocates Brings "Masters in Trial" Program to the School of Law

On January 24, 2008, the Orange County Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) held its annual Masters in Trial program at the School of Law to a packed audience of local practitioners, students and faculty. This unique mock trial event featured some of the nation's top plaintiff and defense litigators who re-created a major injury trial before an actual judge and jury. Orange County Superior Court Judge Daniel Didier presided over the proceedings, which included jurors borrowed from the court's jury pool. Legendary Orange County trial attorney Wylie Aitken began the all-day event with a moving opening argument before the jury. The day was capped by an instructive live simulcast of jurors deliberating behind closed doors, viewed by the nearly 200 attendees as it happened.