Learn the intricacies of admitting and excluding evidence and how to make appropriate objections.
The Evidence Program teaches proper recognition and handling of common evidence issues through dynamic lectures and demonstrations and then provides attorneys the opportunity to practice those skills in small workshop settings where they receive individualized coaching from experienced trial attorneys and trial court judges. Earn up to 10 MCLE Credits.
2025 Program Schedule
Registration Deadline: May 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Cost: $250 (private practice) / $200 (public/non-profit)*
Evidence Lecture Series
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Check-In: 5:00 p.m.
Lecture (Part I): 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Lecture (Part II): 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location
James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep
United States Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room
333 West Broadway, San Diego
Featured Lecturer
Judge Robert J. Trentacosta
About the Lecture Series
Judge Robert J. Trentacosta, a distinguished member of the San Diego bench, presents a two-part lecture on the rules of evidence with demonstrations by experienced trial attorneys. He will discuss the rules of evidence, the intricacies of admitting and objecting to evidence, and courtroom etiquette.
Evidence Workshops
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Check-In: 5:00 p.m. for Courtroom Assignment
Workshop: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Check-In: 5:00 p.m. for Courtroom Assignment
Workshop: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location
San Diego Superior Court, Central Courthouse
1100 Union Street, San Diego
About the Evidence Workshops
At the workshops, the lectures are put into practice. Using written program materials, participants are paired in teams of two and take turns conducting examinations and raising timely and appropriate objections. The workshops are designed to increase competence by teaching a wide variety of evidentiary issues under the guidance of distinguished judges and lawyers who assist with training and provide judicial insight.
*Scholarships: Need financial assistance to attend the Workshop on Evidence? Limited Scholarships are available for registrants who need financial assistance. For more information on how to apply for a scholarship, please email info@sdinnofcourt.com.
Consent To Use Of Photographic, Video, And/Or Audio Materials
Registration, attendance, or participation in San Diego Inn of Court workshops and activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to allow the San Diego Inn of Court to use and distribute (both now and in the future) the registrant or attendee's image or voice in photographs, video recordings, electronic and print reproductions, and audio recordings of such workshops and activities. By registering for this course, you are agreeing that the San Diego Inn of Court may use such photographs, video, and audio recordings of you with or without your name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and website content.
About the Evidence Program
The Evidence Program is for both new and experienced attorneys who want to learn and polish their evidence skills. Key concepts are covered through dynamic lectures and demonstrations by some of San Diego’s top trial attorneys. In addition, participants receive individualized coaching from sitting state and federal judges and premier local attorneys as they practice in small workshop settings.
Program objectives include conducting a competent direct and cross-examination, laying an appropriate foundation, using exhibits, making objections, impeachment using a prior inconsistent statement, refreshing recollection, rehabilitation of a witness, and using factual stipulations.
About the Lecturer
Judge Robert J. Trentacosta completed his term as the Presiding Judge of the San Diego Superior Court in December 2013. Formerly, he held multiple leadership positions within the court including Assistant Presiding Judge, Supervising Criminal Judge and Supervising Judge of the South County Division. He is presently presiding over Juvenile Justice matters. Judge Trentacosta is currently a member of the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) providing ethics advice to all judicial officers in the State of California. He previously served as the Chairperson for all Judicial Leadership Education in the State of California. Judge Trentacosta is Adjunct Professor of Law at California Western School of Law Teaching “Trial Practice.”
When he was a practicing trial lawyer, Judge Trentacosta was the President of the Plaintiff’s Trial Bar (2000) and the President of the San Diego Inn of Court, College of Advocacy (1997). He has been honored as “Outstanding Jurist of the Year” several times by various trial lawyer and bar organizations.
"The San Diego Inn of Court Evidence Workshop is hands down one of the best courses any attorney can attend. This applies to new attorneys and veteran attorneys as well. As a new lawyer, I was able to learn from the Judges who I would inevitably be trying my cases in front of. This course helps attorneys understand how to meet and beat objections from the people who will be ruling on these objections. There is a right way and wrong way. Its best to learn the right way early."
Kris Mukherji, Esq.