Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas (VLS) is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Burns Anderson & Brenner, L.L.P. to offer high quality courtroom skills training to its more than 2,000 VLS volunteer attorneys.
Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner is committed to helping lawyers be the best they can be in and out of the courtroom. That is why this fall the firm will launch a courtroom skills training series developed in partnership with the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin (HBAA) and VLS. The monthly CLE training, the first-of-its-kind to be held in the firm’s new mock courtroom, it designed for young lawyers, new lawyers, and those new to litigation who desire to strengthen trial skills and courtroom etiquette.
Elizabeth “Liz” Brenner, of counsel at Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner, is excited to be a part of this effort, because few opportunities exist outside the courtroom for attorneys to hone litigation skills. As a dedicated VLS Board member and attorney volunteer, Liz recognizes that improving one’s litigation skills benefits the representation of clients – both as a lawyer and pro bono volunteer.
“I love that the legal field is a solutions-oriented practice. Attorneys, in and out of the courtroom, work hard to create positive outcomes from problems and issues that often seem difficult or insurmountable to our clients.”
VLS is thrilled that the Courtroom Skills Series will also be available to our volunteers, who are a vital part of delivering of pro bono legal services to indigent residents of Travis, Hays, and Bastrop Counties. By providing advice at clinic or representing a VLS client, our volunteers connect to issues and cases that are both professionally and personally fulfilling, while advancing our mission to ensure poverty is not a barrier to justice.