Lindsey Halligan, the former insurance attorney who spent some time “masquerading” — to use a federal judge’s words — as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia attempted to ramrod criminal cases against Donald Trump’s political enemies and failed spectacularly. Halligan botched the grand jury process, submitted an indictment that the full grand jury never saw, and got two cases dismissed simultaneously. After a judge ruled that she held the position illegally, she continued signing off on filings. When all was said and done, another federal judge wrote that she escaped a disciplinary referral “in light of her inexperience.” It still might not be enough to shield her from sanctions.
Halligan might be a perfectly passable insurance lawyer, like Alina Habba before her, Halligan learned the hard way that courtroom advocacy requires more than the Trump administration’s “Have Law Degree, Will Prosecute” approach to filling key positions.
Law school alone can’t prepare someone for court, but practical education from experienced mentors can. And law students can get paid while learning.
Once again, elite litigation boutique MoloLamken will host its Advocacy Academy, an intensive one-week courtroom training program for 12 rising 3Ls. Applications are open now, and if you’re a current 2L who wants to learn trial and appellate advocacy from lawyers who have collectively tried hundreds of cases and argued hundreds of appeals, check out this program.
The ML Advocacy Academy runs from the evening of Sunday, August 3 through Friday afternoon, August 8, 2026 — dates intentionally chosen to avoid conflicting with other summer associate programs or government and public interest internships. The program offers stand-up experience examining witnesses and making trial and appellate arguments with personalized feedback from the firm’s partners, including co-founders Steven Molo and Jeffrey Lamken. And MoloLamken Scholars receive a $4,500 cash award, with travel and lodging covered for participants coming from outside New York City.
We’ve covered the Academy since its launch, and the reviews from past scholars have been consistently impressive. Participants have called the program “mind-blowing” and “invaluable,” praising the low-pressure environment where they could take risks and get direct, honest feedback. One described learning that their perceived weakness — being a hand-talker — could be leveraged into a courtroom strength after watching advocacy videos on mute. The virtue of breaking down game film!
As we noted in our recap of last year’s program, attendees were particularly struck by the resources the firm commits. Partners flew in from every MoloLamken office to lead sessions, and both named partners made themselves consistently present for individualized feedback.
“It’s difficult for lawyers starting out to get practical courtroom skills training,” said co-founding partner Jeffrey Lamken. “This program provides outstanding law students who want to become great advocates a solid grounding based on our real-world experience.”
Partner Megan Church, one of the Academy’s organizers, added: “It’s important for us to stay close to what’s happening with law students. This is a way to do that and contribute to the training of the next generation of great advocates.”
The gap between law school and courtroom competence isn’t closing on its own. If anything, with AI handling more of the grunt work traditionally handled by junior lawyers, young lawyers will need to become assets to their firms as an advocate earlier than ever. Programs like this one offer opportunities that law students don’t often get.
To learn more and apply, visit mololamken.com/academy. The deadline for applications is March 3.
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter or Bluesky if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.