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The FBA of West Michigan, together with the U.S. District Court for the W. D. of Michigan, sponsors and supports the Hillman Advocacy Program founded in 1981. The link to the Hillman web site is Hillman Advocacy. Click on the link for access to registration forms and more information about the program. Its namesake, retired Judge Douglas W. Hillman, responded to the call (observation) of then Chief Justice Warren Burger and an investigatory committee of the U.S. Supreme Court of "a need to take positive steps to improve the quality of advocacy in the United States District Courts." Judge Hillman was determined that such criticism should not be directed at the trial practice in the Western District, and so enlisted the aid of his fellow jurists and several leading trial lawyers to form an instructional workshop where young attorneys could learn by doing. In Judge Hillman's own words, "Trial lawyers are made, not born."
The Hillman Advocacy Program is similar in format and approach to other trial practice workshops, except:
- The Hillman Advocacy Program faculty consists of volunteers - the leading trial lawyers in West Michigan from both the civil and criminal bar, as well as a nationally renowned expert on communication skills who, in addition to his opening instructional presentation, circulates through the courtrooms to provide one-on-one feedback to students.
- Prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers, and plaintiff and defense lawyers from the civil trial bar, work together with judges and magistrates in one forum for one purpose - to teach and improve the skill sets of new lawyers.
- The FBA of West Michigan knows of no other program where the entire bench of a federal district court dedicates its full attention, courtrooms, and facilities for 2 ½ days to the mission of teaching and improving trial skills.
- Typically, 5 to 6 basic classes of 10 students each and 2 advanced classes of 6 students each are offered. The advanced classes conduct a one-day jury trial and observe through closed-circuit the jury's deliberations.
- The student/teacher ratio, remarkably, is 3:1.
- The Hillman Advocacy Program endeavors each year to achieve on the faculty a diverse representation by location within the Western District, gender, attorneys of color, and practice discipline.
- Year after year, the Hillman Program teaches and mentors students from small firms and large firms, the U.S. Attorney's and State Attorney General's Offices, the Federal Defender's Office, and even young attorneys still looking for professional assignments.
- No student is turned away because of financial need. The Hillman Advocacy Program offers scholarships, and no legitimate scholarship request has ever been denied.
- In any event, the amount of tuition is remarkable---in 2009, $300 for basic and $350 for advanced, for 2½ days of intensive instruction and experience, resulting in practical and consistent results.