Trials of the Centuries – Landmarks That Shaped History
Date: Feb 20, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Online
Member Price: $203.00
Non-Member Price: $254.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: For All Attorneys
Earn up to 6.7 credits! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
Presenters
- Joel Oster, Esq.
- Comedian of Law, LLC, Shawnee
Rediscover the Soul of the Legal Profession: Landmark Trials That Shaped History and Define Great Lawyering Today
In an era of routine practice and procedural grind, this dynamic CLE course reignites your passion for the law by plunging into the true essence of being an attorney – courageous advocacy, masterful strategy, and the pursuit of justice in the face of monumental stakes.
Journey through time as we dissect some of the most precedent-setting, culturally explosive trials across millennia. We'll unpack the brilliant (and brazen) trial strategies, the profound legal and ethical issues at their core, the dramatic outcomes, and most importantly, the timeless lessons that will sharpen your skills and elevate your practice today.
Highlights include:
- The Trial of Socrates (399 B.C.): The iconic philosopher's defiant stand against charges of impiety and corrupting youth – a foundational clash between individual thought and state authority that echoes in modern free speech battles.
- Marbury v. Madison (1803): The landmark Supreme Court showdown that established judicial review, forever empowering courts to check governmental power and cementing the Constitution's supremacy.
- The Leopold and Loeb Trial (1924): Clarence Darrow's legendary defense in the "crime of the century," a chilling "thrill kill" case that revolutionized arguments on psychology, determinism, and the death penalty.
- The Scopes "Monkey" Trial (1925): The electrifying courtroom duel over evolution vs. creationism, pitting science against fundamentalism in a media spectacle that probed the boundaries of education, religion, and intellectual freedom.
- People v. O.J. Simpson (1995): The "Trial of the Century" that captivated the world, exposing flaws in forensic evidence, the power of media influence, and deep societal divides on race and celebrity justice.
Through vivid storytelling and practical analysis, you'll emerge not just inspired but equipped with strategies from these legal titans to handle your toughest cases with greater insight, persuasion, and impact. Join us to reconnect with why you became a lawyer and become an even better one.
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