Virtual Working with Experts Training 2025

National Immigration Project & National Institute for Trial Advocacy

Virtual Working with Experts Training

August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025

12:00 PM to 5:30 PM ET | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM PT

Applications accepted on a rolling basis

The National Immigration Project is pleased to continue its partnership with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) to offer a two-day skills training on working with experts in immigration court. This training is ideal for immigrant defenders who have some court experience and want to improve their skills through an intensive experiential training with meaningful feedback from experienced practitioners, including retired Immigration Judges.  

What skills will the program cover?

• Choosing an expert
• Working with an expert to improve the expert’s report
• Preparing the expert for direct examination
• Qualifying the expert during the individual hearing 
• Getting the expert’s opinion during the individual hearing 
• Objecting during cross examination of the expert
• Mitigating the harm on cross examination through redirect examination 
• Incorporating the expert’s opinion into closing argument

What are the preparation expectations?

Prior to court skills program starting on August 20th, selected participants are expected to:

• View recorded NITA videos on working with experts,
• Review training materials, including the asylum case file, and
• Complete a case analysis exercise.

Selected participants should expect to spend approximately 8 hours preparing for the program. Please consider and be realistic about this time commitment—both for preparation for the program and the program itself—before applying.

What are the attendance requirements?

Selected  participants are expected to be present for the entire court skills program on August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025. Selected participants should plan to log on to Zoom on time both days and should not plan to log off of Zoom before the program ends around 5:30PM. Selected participants should be mentally present during all aspects of the program, which includes answering email and taking calls during breaks only.

Why are the attendance requirements so strict?

This program is likely unlike any other training you have experienced so this is a valid question. There are a few reasons for the strict attendance expectations. First, The National Institute for Trial Advocacy will seek CLE credit on your behalf so long as you attend every aspect of the program. That is, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy cannot seek partial CLE credit. Second, you are 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. 

How do I apply and when is the deadline?

To apply, please complete the application form found- HERE.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

How will the National Immigration Project select the participants?

Private attorneys and law school faculty members will be considered ONLY if they are National Immigration Project members. Attorneys or fully accredited representatives working full-time at a non-profit regardless of National Immigration Project membership are eligible to apply. The National Immigration Project will also prioritize diversity, as well as applicants with scheduled individual hearings.

How do I register if I am selected?

If selected for this program, the applicant must submit the relevant registration fee to the National Immigration Project and affirm their understanding of the strict attendance expectations by 5PM ET on Friday, August 8. Failure to complete these requirements by Friday, August 8 at 5PM ET will result in the selected participant forfeiting their spot in this training.
 

I need to cancel after registering.

If you cancel after registering, we cannot refund the registration unless someone from the waitlist is willing to take your place.  

I am an attorney. Will I get CLE credit for this training?

Yes. The National Institute for Trial Advocacy will seek CLE credit on your behalf. The National Immigration Program will collect your bar number and the state where you are licensed and will provide that information to the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. The number of approved CLE credits will depend on the schedule.

I am a DOJ accredited representative. Will I receive a certificate of attendance for this training?

Yes. If you attend the entire training, the National Immigration Project will issue you a certificate of attendance.