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About
California Desert Trial Academy College Of Law

California Desert Trial Academy College of Law​​

Educating, training, and developing extraordinary legal advocates … That’s our mission at the California Desert Trial Academy.

 

CDTA was founded by John Patrick Dolan and Irene Garcia Dolan after conversations with F. Lee Bailey and Gerry Spence. These powerhouse trial attorneys bemoaned the dearth of law school graduates who held the skills required to excel in the courtroom. While it is not a requirement that you become a trial attorney with your law degree from CDTA, you will be exceptionally prepared to should you wish. CDTA is the only law school in the country dedicated to trial advocacy

 

We are proud to offer California State Bar Tested Courses for students wishing to become legal advocates in addition to Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit classes for those already practicing.

 

CDTA welcomes students for admission with two or four year degrees as well as students with at least 60 transferable credits.

 

All our California State Bar tested courses are uniquely taught in a real courtroom environment. Most classes are taught by two professors who are highly respected and experienced attorneys and judges.

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Top 10 Reasons to Attend CDTA College of Law

  1. ALL OF YOUR TEXTBOOKS ARE INCLUDED WITH YOUR TUITION.
     

  2. LexisNexis is included in your tuition. Learn how to research and apply case authority with the same tools you will use in your law practice.
     

  3. ExamSoft is included in your tuition. All practice, midterm and final exams are given on a similar software program the State Bar uses for your bar exams. Repeated exposure to this software means you will be ready to tackle the bar exam with confidence!
     

  4. AdaptiBar is included with your first-year tuition. Practice thousands of actual bar multiple choice questions on the premier MBE program designed to prepare you for success in bar examinations.
     

  5. Our Distance Learning Option allows you to obtain your J.D. while completing your studies from the convenience of home if you reside 50 miles or more from our campus. "Attend" CDTA in real time, enjoy 24/7 access to review all classes online and solidify the week's learning in person in our Saturday enrichment classes.
     

  6. Fleming's Fundamentals of Law course reviews are included in your tuition. Substantive video reviews and outlines condense every bar tested subject into a straightforward and understandable format you will find invaluable as you prepare for exams.
     

  7. Saturday Enrichment Program… Practice skills such as direct & cross examination skills, depositions, negotiations, practice management & presentation skills.  You will participate in mock trials, prepare & argue motions, and negotiate settlements.
     

  8. Student Support is invaluable to your success. Our students have found that together they can accomplish what might be impossible alone. Our professors make themselves available for our students, whenever the student wishes to confer about anything related to class, curriculum, exams, or grades.
     

  9. Weekly "Barrister" Luncheons are provided each Saturday by CDTA. This allows students, attorneys and judicial officers the opportunity to network and connect while enjoying a meal. Snacks and Drinks are provided at all CDTA classes and events at no charge to you. Never underestimate the power of a little sustenance to get you through a long day!
     

  10. We Commit to Keeping You in School! It often feels as if law school is an exercise in exclusion, not inclusion. Not at CDTA. We will help you overcome any challenges you encounter in your law school curriculum.

FRIENDS OF CDTA

As a Friend of CDTA, your donations support public legal education, the CDTA law library and research facility, Project 180, textbooks and study materials for CDTA students and La Reina Limited Means Legal Clinic.

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