Defense Practice Academy
2025-2026 OADC Defense Practice Academy
September 2025 - June 2026 | Portland, Oregon
Registration for the 2025-2026 Program Coming Soon!
Must be an OADC Member to apply. Register here to become an OADC Member and receive your first year complimentary.
Accepting up to 30 registrants. Apply before it's too late!
OADC is here to support the continuing education of newly admitted defense attorneys and junior associates by teaching them how to manage a case from initial intake through arbitration or trial, and everything in between. Our aim is to provide the kind of nuts & bolts, hands-on training and instruction that most partners and senior associates are simply too busy to provide in today’s legal market.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
Session 1: Getting Your Game On (Case Intake)
Initial file review, planning and case strategy
- Investigation of facts
- Analysis of Law
- Reporting to Clients
- Preparing Budgets
- Recording hours
- Managing Stress*
*Hard to get CLE credits (Ethics & Other)
NOVEMBER 11, 2025
Session 3: Depositions and Corporate Depos
- Outlines and Exhibits
- Effective questioning
- Preparing a witness
- Objections: proper v non-proper
- Managing obstreperous witnesses and counsel
- ORCP 39C6
MARCH 10, 2026
Session 5: Mediation / / ADR
- Negotiating like a pro
- Tips for drafting settlement & release agreements
- Understanding Brackets
…and Arbitration - Binding vs non-binding
- Trial de novo
- Presenting evidence & planning witnesses (in person vs paper)
- Prehearing Statement of Proof
- Briefing
- Hearing
JUNE 2026
Session 7: Trial - Part II
Mock "clopening' with opportunity for feedback.
OCTOBER 14, 2025
Session 2: Discovery
- Scope of discovery (based on injury, prayer, type of suit, etc.)
- E-discovery, social media discovery (including new consensus statement)
- RFPs/RFAs, and subpoenas as a discovery tool
- Discovery Motions and conferral (UTCRs)
…and Experts! - Roles of medical experts, economists, and others
- How to identify who you need
- Key practice pointers to know regarding your experts’ “files”
JANUARY 27, 2026
Session 4: Writing & Arguing Winning Motions/MSJs
- Structuring and presenting your ideas and argument in a good way
- Persuasive drafting
- Processes in writing
- Rule 21, MSJ, MTC
APRIL 21, 2026
Session 6: Trial Part I
- Jury Instructions
- Voir Dire
- Introducing an Exhibit
- Direct and Cross-Exam
- Expert Examinations
- Impeaching a Witness
- Objections, Making Your Record
- Tips for Opening Statement and Closing Argument (to prepare for final
programming at Convention)
2025 Cost:
Entire Program: $1,750 A la Carte Sessions $350
The seven-part series is $1,750. Register now to secure your place in this transformative series.
*2026 OADC Annual Convention Registration included in enrollment fees.