RCBA–Riverside Superior Court New Attorney Academy

The Riverside County Bar Association, the Riverside Superior Court and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) are pleased to announce the tenth year of the New Attorney Academy — our training program for new attorneys

The purpose of the New Attorney Academy (hereafter “the Academy”) is to provide professional guidance and counsel to assist newly admitted attorneys in acquiring the practical skills, judgment and professional values necessary to practice law in a highly competent manner and to encourage sensitivity to ethical and professional values that represent the traditions and standards of the Inland Empire legal community.

Specifically, the Academy is made up of a series of classes, which take place once a month. The curriculum will be taught by judges and noted attorneys in the community. Topics to be taught will include, but are not limited to, an introduction to the legal community, a practical and intensive primer on depositions and discovery, an introduction to practicing in court (court appearances, legal writing and research, pet peeves of the bench, etc.), transition into practice (dealing with clients, how to successfully participate in ADR, relations with other attorneys, case management, etc.) and an introduction to law practice management. The emphasis of these classes will be for a civil practitioner although anyone who has an interest in participating in the program is invited to apply

At every session, the class will attend the monthly RCBA General Membership meeting for that month so as to promote membership in that organization and to allow for class members to participate in their legal community. The only cost for attending the Academy will be for the lunches provided at the RCBA General Membership meetings.

Admittance to the Academy will be premised upon the following requirements:

1. Admittance limited to attorneys in practice 5 years or less
2. Admittance limited to RCBA members (applicants can join RCBA if they wish to participate in the Academy for a limited cost).
   RCBA dues are:  
   • $25.00 for first year new admittees
   • $120.00 less than 5 years (private)
   • $95.00 less than 5 years (government)

If you are interested in attending the Academy and do not meet the criterium of the limited years of practice, we still urge you to apply as there may be additional availability for those attorneys who have been practicing longer to attend the program.

Once the attendees of the Academy graduate from the program, there will be several brown bag lunches organized throughout the remainder of the year. Those brown bag lunches will serve as an opportunity for graduates to continue to connect with judges and seasoned attorneys and to ask follow up questions or to discuss issues that they may come across in their practice.

**There will be a mandatory orientation meeting for all new students – date and time to be announced.**

For further information, please contact Charlene Nelson at the Riverside County Bar Association at 951.682.1015 or contact Robyn Lewis at robynlewis@jlewislaw.com.