ABOTA-LA

06/05/2026

Next Tuesday, June 9, join LA-ABOTA for a complimentary webinar you won’t want to miss: Try the Case, Not Each Other: Decorum Lessons from Both Sides of the Aisle.

Hear from seasoned trial lawyers and judges as they share practical insights on professionalism, civility, and effective courtroom advocacy from every perspective. Whether you're a new attorney or a seasoned litigator, this program offers valuable takeaways for the courtroom and beyond.

Sign up at www.la-abota.org/events.

06/03/2026

LA-ABOTA was honored to have been recognized as the Outstanding Friend of Southwestern Law School at the 35th Annual Alumni Awards Gala on May 28.

We're proud of our longstanding partnership with Southwestern Law School and its commitment to supporting the next generation of trial lawyers. Thank you to Southwestern Law School for this meaningful recognition.

🎥 The video below highlights our organization and the work we do to preserve and promote the civil jury trial system.

05/25/2026

LA ABOTA loves its Chapter Leaders. This is Patricia (Tricia) Daehnke. Tricia is a defense trial lawyer and founder of DRR Law Group, with offices in California and Nevada. Tricia serves as Chair of LA-WABOTA and originated the LA-ABOTA Law Day at John C. Fremont High School, held May 1, with over 350 students and more than 100 judges, lawyers, legal professionals, teachers, and staff in attendance. The students engaged with a panel of LASC judges, court personnel, and lawyers from all practice areas speaking about their legal careers and the civil justice system, and heard about “The Rule of Law and the American Dream” from prominent LA lawyers.

Tricia is one of the Co-Chairs of the Hon. Victor E. Chavez ABOTA Fellowship Program and serves on the Awards Committee. She is a past president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, past Chair of the LACBA Litigation Section, and founder and current Co-Chair of LACBA PAC-Women. Tricia serves on the board of the LA-ABOTA Executive Committee and on the ASCDC Board of Directors.

Thank you, Tricia, for your dedicated service to LA ABOTA!

05/22/2026

05/21/2026

Mark your calendars for June 9 and join LA-ABOTA for a complimentary webinar you won’t want to miss: Try the Case, Not Each Other: Decorum Lessons from Both Sides of the Aisle. Gain valuable insight from seasoned trial lawyers and judges on professionalism, civility, and effective courtroom advocacy from every perspective.

Learn more on the events page at www.la-abota.org.

05/20/2026

A truly special day in the courtroom. On April 9, LA-ABOTA members came together to create a mock trial experience for 250 LAUSD students and teachers that inspired future lawyers. Check it out below!

This is "ABOTA | 2026 Mock Trial" by AWV Creative on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/19/2026

Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA hosted the 2026 SideBar Program at The Perch in Downtown Los Angeles, bringing together current ABOTA members and a talented group of young trial lawyers for an evening of mentorship, networking, and meaningful conversation.

Created in 2014 by former LA-ABOTA President Walter Yoka and led by Shawn McCann, the SideBar Program continues to help grow membership, strengthen diversity, and introduce the next generation of trial attorneys to the mission and values of ABOTA.

Thank you to SideBar Co-Chairs Shawn McCann, Eddie Ward, and Lyssa Roberts, as well as hosts BD&J and Yoka | Smith, for a fantastic evening.

Photo credit: Brian Everitt of Creative Spoons

05/15/2026

ABOTA Unscripted: Improv For Trial is a one-of-a-kind live competition improv-style show featuring plaintiff lawyers, defense lawyers, judges, and mediators stepping out of the courtroom and onto the stage with no script, no prepared statements, and no safety net. Join us on May 29 for a night to remember at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. Space is limited - get your tickets today at www.la-abota.org/events

05/12/2026

New Date! ‼️ Don't miss our complimentary webinar, Try the Case, Not Each Other: Decorum Lessons from Both Sides of the Aisle on Tuesday, June 9. Learn more at www.la-abota.org/events

04/30/2026

LA ABOTA loves its chapter leaders. This is Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong and Daniel K. Kramer.

Judge Byrdsong sits in Department 28 at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, where he handles unlimited jurisdiction civil cases. He has presided over the LAUSD ABOTA Mock Trial since its inception. He is a past president of the California Judges Association and was LA ABOTA’s Judge of the Year in 2024.

Dan Kramer is a plaintiff trial lawyer and founder of Kramer Trial Lawyers in Westwood. He tries multiple cases each year throughout California. He is one of the creators of the ABOTA LAUSD Mock Trial and a past president of both Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities and the Southwestern Alumni Association. He currently serves on the ABOTA Executive Committee and the boards of CAALA and CAOC.

Together, they put on a mock trial experience on April 9 for 250 LAUSD students and teachers that has changed lives and inspired future lawyers. It is talked about nationwide and will likely be replicated by ABOTA chapters across the U.S. It was truly special. If you have not attended or participated in one of their mock trial experiences, consider joining next year—you won’t forget it.

Thank you for your incredible service to our community and the LA Chapter.