When: May 28–30, 2026 | Where: Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles, CaliforniaÂ
CELA's Trial College is a three-day, intensive trial training program for California employment attorneys, hosted by the California Employment Lawyers Association at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. Now in its 11th year, it is one of the most practical trial education programs available to employment lawyers in California.
The program is built around a learn-by-doing approach. Participants practice voir dire with live jurors, deliver opening statements, conduct direct and cross-examinations, and argue closing arguments under the guidance of experienced employment trial lawyers who provide real feedback on their performance.
Legal Soft is proud to be a sponsor of CELA's 11th Annual Trial College 2026. Visit us at the event to learn how we help employment law practices run better operations with the right systems and staff in place.
About CELA Trial College
CELA Trial College runs May 28–30, 2026, from 7:45 AM to 5:00 PM each day at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. It is designed specifically for plaintiff employment attorneys who want to build real courtroom confidence through direct practice, not lectures.
The program uses a learn-by-doing approach where every participant is active throughout the full three days. There are no observers. You come prepared to participate, and you leave with a sharper, more practiced set of trial skills.
There are no observers. Every participant is active throughout all three days. You come prepared to participate and leave with a sharper, more practiced set of trial skills.Â
Registration is open to current CELA attorney members only. Register here
How Trial College Works
Trial College is structured closer to a working clinic than a standard CLE. You get direct, personalized instruction in a focused group setting throughout the full program.
- Participants are divided into small groups based on experience level
- Every participant is video recorded throughout the training
- You receive critiques and feedback in both individual and group settings
- Employment trial lawyers guide you through each stage of trial
- Leaders in the employment and civil rights community deliver live demonstrations throughout the full-day sessions
- One informational webinar is held before Trial College begins
- Minimum 20 hours of pre-event reading and preparation is required
What the Program Covers
Trial College walks participants through every major stage of trial, with dedicated instruction on each:
- Voir dire with live jurors: Practice jury selection with real jurors in the room.
- Opening statement: Learn how to frame the case clearly and persuasively from the start.
- Direct examination: Learn how to draw out testimony that keeps jurors engaged with your witness.
- Cross-examination: Practice controlling a hostile witness and locking in favorable facts.
- Closing argument: Bring the evidence together into a persuasive argument.
Leaders in the employment and civil rights community are scattered through the session who will present live demonstrations to show how these skills look at the highest level.Â
What You'll Get Out of It
Trial College gives employment attorneys the experience and confidence they need to take cases all the way to verdict. You get:Â
- 26.0 General CLE credits approved by the State Bar of California
- Hands-on practice through every major stage of trial
- Video recording and personalized feedback on your performance
- Live demonstrations from leaders in employment and civil rights law
- Small group instruction with attorneys at similar experience levels
- Training materials, breakfast, lunch, and refreshments included
Registration and Key Policies
Registration is open to current CELA attorney members only, on a first-come, first-served basis. Before registering, here is what you need to know:Â
- CELA membership must be active through all three Trial College dates
- Full attendance across all three days is required, no partial attendance
- No observation-only registrations are available
- Plan for at least 20 hours of preparation before the event begins
- Refunds before May 4, 2026 are only issued if your spot can be filled from the waitlist
- No refunds, credits, or cancellations after May 4, 2026, no exceptions
If you have questions about registration, contact us and we will be happy to help.Â
CLE CreditÂ
This program has been approved by the State Bar of California for 26.00 General credits.Â
Virtual Assistants Supporting Employment Law Practices
Employment law practices carry a heavy administrative load alongside the demands of active litigation. Legal Soft specializes in virtual staffing for law firms, including those focused on employment and civil rights work. Our staff work directly as part of your team, handling the same responsibilities you would expect from in-house support in a remote setting.Â
They can support your practice with tasks such as:
- Case intake and initial client screening
- Legal research
- Drafting demand letters, complaints, and routine correspondence
- Organizing and managing case files and evidence
- Court filing and deadline tracking
- Discovery coordination and document management
- Client communication and status updates
- Calendar and scheduling management
- Timekeeping and billing support
You can choose from roles like virtual paralegals, legal assistants, and intake specialists who handle day-to-day work remotely, so you can stay focused on trial preparation and the strategy your clients are counting on.
Legal Soft is a Proud Sponsor of CELA Trial College 2026
Legal Soft is honored to support CELA Trial College 2026 and the attorneys who are committed to sharpening their trial skills and fighting for workers across California.
If you are attending, come find us at the event. We welcome practical conversations about your current operations and any challenges you are facing. We are happy to share specific insights on how the right staffing support can help your employment practice run more productively.
Visit legalsoft.com to learn more about what we do before the event.
