Join the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and The American College of Trial Lawyers on Friday, September 18, 2026, for a day of continuing legal education on the anatomy of a trial.
This program will feature a faculty of preeminent trial lawyers and judges who will discuss and demonstrate opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination, and closing arguments. This program will use the facts of the historic Rosenberg Spy Case as the basis for the trial.
Step back into 1951 and into one of the most polarizing trials in American History. This live mock trial revisits that prosecution, focusing on the charges against Ethel Rosenberg - accused of conspiring with her husband and others to commit espionage against the United States. Using historical transcripts, declassified evidence, and modern legal analysis, seasoned attorneys will argue over her guilt or innocence, a question that continues to divide historians and lawyers. This program will also feature lectures from experienced litigators on trial strategies involving opening statements, witness examinations, and closing arguments, along with several panel discussions with federal and state judges on trial practice and what they want from trial lawyers. Throughout the day, a dynamic Q&A will allow attendees an opportunity to pose questions to the participants.
This program was designed by the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is an invitation-only organization limited to those who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality.
This CLE has been approved for 5 1/2 hours of CLE credit.
Our schedule for the day is below. Please allow sufficient time for parking. Lunch and refreshments provided. The session will be followed by a reception for all participants and speakers.
Schedule
8:30 to 9:00am — Registration
9:00am — Call to Order, Welcome and Opening Remarks
Robert Worley, Senior Exec. Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, MC Bank & Trust Co. (New Orleans, LA)
9:05am — Lecture: Opening Statement
Rachel Webre, Laborde Siegel, LLC (New Orleans, LA)
9:25am — Demonstration of Opening Statements
Government: David Bowling, The Bowling Law Firm (New Orleans, LA)
Defendant: Judy Barasso, Barrasso, Usdin, Kupperman, Freeman & Sarver, LLC (New Orleans, LA)
10:00am — Break
10:10am — Lecture: Direct Examination
Rasch Brown, Phelps Dunbar (New Orleans, LA)
10:30am — Demonstration of Direct Examination
Government: Don McKinney, Adams & Reese, LLP (New Orleans, LA)
Defendant: Peter Sperling, Frilot, LLC (New Orleans, LA)
11:05am — Lecture: Cross Examination
Brent Barriere, Fishman Haygood, LLP (New Orleans, LA)
11:25am — Demonstration of Cross Examination
Government: Honorable Jason Williams, Orleans Parish District Attorney (New Orleans, LA)
Defendant: Kyle Schonekas, Schonekas, Evans, McGoey & McEachin, LLC (New Orleans, LA)
12:00pm — Lunch
1:00pm — Demonstration: Trial Technical Services and Strategies
Peyton M. Bowman, Magna Legal Services (New Orleans, LA)
1:30pm — Lecture: Closing Argument
J. Cullens, Walters, Thomas Cullens (Baton Rouge, LA)
1:50pm — Demonstration: Closing Argument
Government: Jeff Tillery, Jones Walker, LLP (New Orleans, LA)
Defendant: Shaun Clarke, Renzulli Law Firm, LLP (White Plains, NY)
2:25pm — Break
2:40pm — Judicial Panel: Nuances of Trying a Case
Hon. Wendy Vitter
Chief Judge, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA)
Hon. Jane Milazzo
United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA), President, New Orleans Federal Bar Association
Hon. Robert R. Summerhays
United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana (Lafayette, LA)
Hon. Ellen Shirer Kovach
Twenty-Fourth Judicial District Court (Jefferson Parish, LA)
Hon. Madeleine Landrieu
Dean, Loyola School of Law (New Orleans, LA)
4:10pm — Concluding Remarks
Robert Worley
4:15pm — Reception
EDLA Courthouse
