Liberty Law students attend academy led by distinguished trial attorney Mark Lanier

Six Liberty University School of Law students and Professor of Law Pamela Bell attended the Lanier Trial Academy on June 17-20 in Houston, Texas. The academy is led by distinguished trial attorney Mark Lanier, who stands out as one of the foremost civil trial lawyers in the United States, with a storied career marked by numerous landmark verdicts, collectively nearing $20 billion. Renowned for his tenacity and innovative courtroom strategies, Lanier has won major cases against giants of industry in personal injury and product liability lawsuits.

The academy exists to provide legal professionals with intensive instruction on methods and approaches for plaintiff lawyers to use in trial. While it is intended for plaintiff lawyers already in practice, Lanier extended a personal invitation to Liberty Law after visiting campus this past spring and observing a trial demonstration by students. The students who attended are part of the school’s Trial Team.

“It was a joy to meet the Liberty Law folks at the academy,” Lanier said. “I’m so glad they came.”

Lanier uses his research and science-backed methods in his instruction, as well as his own experiences from courtrooms.

“Lanier teaches the attendees everything from the beginning of the trial through closing arguments, even methods and visual aids,” Bell said. “It’s him the entire time, and he’s absolutely captivating. It’s no wonder he does well in trial because he’s a great communicator, and he shows that he cares about his audience.”

Gavyn Webb, a rising 3L, said he thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the psychology behind a courtroom trial.

“When you’re prepping for trial, you must frame your arguments in a way that’s going to play to the jury,” Webb said. “Lanier did that by walking us through some of the psychology behind trial and the implicit biases that we all have in our mind. He spent a lot of time talking about techniques to take advantage of those biases because we’re not going to get rid of them.”

Over three days of sessions, Webb took more than 12 pages of notes from Lanier’s instruction.

“I would love to be even half the attorney that Mark Lanier is,” he added.

Rising 3L Jessica Tucker said she appreciated the extensive instruction, especially the emphasis on all the small but important details of being an effective lawyer.

“It was all practical advice and instruction, even from the type of pen you should use and how the pen can appeal to jurors and effectively communicate your message,” Tucker said. “Even how you dress is important. It’s not about you in the courtroom; it’s about the defendant and the charge that you are bringing. You want to be effective and that begins with showing up in the right attire and being organized.”

She said the academy has already benefited in her current internship with the Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney, and she is applying what she learned in a practical way.

Outside of the sessions with Lanier, the academy hosted vendors from all over the United States that support legal practices. The students were given the opportunity to network with legal professionals, including trial coaches and other lawyers.

“There was time outside of the sessions to meet with other lawyers that were there,” rising 3L Cody Grove said. “I spoke with one lawyer who worked for the Lanier Law Firm, and he turned around and talked to me and the rest of the team. He gave us really good advice about the practice of law and the next steps as we graduate and look for jobs.”

Lanier even gave the students a shout-out during one of the sessions, telling the over 1,200 legal professionals present that they should hire from Liberty Law, and a few lawyers spoke with them afterward.

Along with the valuable networking, Grove added that the academy taught him just how important it is to develop skills for trial work.

“There are very few lawyers that go to trial, so Mark did a really good job of pushing the information to us. It was great to have an experienced trial lawyer pour into us and teach us the mechanics of trying a case.”

While Lanier largely focused on trial instruction, Bell said he also had an optional Christian presentation on Thursday where he shared about his faith and gave his testimony. All the students attended the optional session.

“He’s a zealous advocate in the courtroom,” Tucker said. “But it is also very evident that he zealously pursues the kingdom of God, and he radiates all the fruit of the spirit in that way.”

Tucker added she was grateful that Lanier invited them, and it has set an example for her of remaining strong in her faith while practicing law.

“As a young Christian who is about to begin her legal career, I’m especially grateful for him as a fellow Christian for just investing in us and all the resources it took to get us to the academy,” she said.

Webb said that he and the other students have immense gratitude for Lanier, Liberty Law, and Professor Bell for such valuable experience. Liberty Law funded each student’s airfare and meals outside of the academy.

“I’m more excited now than I already was to practice law,” Webb added. “It really solidified for me the fact that I want to be in a courtroom.”