NIPNLG-NITA “Advocacy in Immigration Matters” Training

National Immigration Project & National Institute for Trial Advocacy

“Advocacy in Immigration Matters” Training

December 4 - 6, 2024

Application Deadline is October 11, 2024 at 11:59PM ET

Do you defend immigrants in immigration court? Are you looking for an intensive experiential experience with meaningful critique from experienced litigators and retired Immigration Judges?

The National Immigration Project, in partnership with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), is pleased to offer a virtual court skills training to immigrant defenders who have some court background and want to improve their skills.  

The program encompasses and requires attendance at the following:

• A 2-hour session on case analysis from 12-2 PM ET on Friday, November 22, 2024

• The court skills program from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM ET on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 through Friday, December 6, 2024

There are a few reasons for the strict attendance requirements. First, NITA will seek CLE credit on your behalf so long as you attend every aspect of the program. Second, you will be assigned to a small group of participants for the skills workshops, and any changes to the small group participant number will impact the schedule timing. Third, this program builds on prior lessons so, if you miss one lesson, your learning and skills will be incomplete as you move forward. If you have a scheduling conflict, please apply for the next NIPNLG-NITA program. 

Prior to the start of the program on November 22nd, participants are expected to:

• View a series of recorded NITA videos on trial skills

• Review training materials, including the asylum case file 

• Complete a case analysis exercise

To apply, please complete the application form found-HERE. Applications are due on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Private attorneys and law school faculty members will be considered only if they are NIPNLG members. Attorneys or fully accredited representatives working full-time at a non-profit regardless of NIPNLG membership are eligible to apply. NIPNLG will also prioritize diversity, as well as applicants with scheduled individual hearings.
 

NIPNLG will inform applicants of their status by Wednesday, October 16, 2024. If the application is approved, the applicant must submit the registration fee to NIPNLG and sign a certification affirming an understanding of the attendance requirements. Failure to complete these requirements by Wednesday, October 23rd at 5PM ET will result in the selected participant forfeiting their spot in this training.

Selected participants should expect to spend approximately 10 hours preparing for the program in addition to actively participating in the 2-hour case assessment session on Friday, November 22nd and the entire court skills program from Wednesday, December 4, 2024 through Friday, December 6, 2024. Please consider and be realistic about this time commitment— for both preparation for the program and the program itself— before applying.
 

This is an intensive, but rewarding program, provided you put in the time and effort. As one past participant put it, “I have had a few trials since [the NITA-NIPLG court skills training], and the training was invaluable in prepping for them….I think I would have been drowning if not for the training. But instead, I think I felt confident enough, which I think was helpful for my clients, and I think we got out the testimony we needed in both cases.”

If you have any questions, please email Michelle Mendez at mmendez@nipnlg.org.