Upcoming Events & Programs
2026 SCCTLA Belli Trial Skills Seminar
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Build Better Cases. Get Better Results.
In the spirit of the late Melvin Belli, this seminar serves as a forum to learn innovative strategies, tactics, and techniques to help your law firm thrive. Today’s plaintiff attorneys know that most cases never reach a jury. The strongest advocates, however, use the same skills that make a great trial lawyer to build leverage, communicate the value of a case, negotiate from a position of strength, and ultimately achieve better results for their clients. This year’s seminar is designed around those practical, real-world skills.
Our speakers will share strategies and lessons that can be put to work immediately, whether your next case settles at mediation, resolves through negotiation, or goes all the way to trial. Presentations will focus on the decisions and techniques that can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of a case.
The half-day program is fast-paced, with each presenter given 20 minutes. The format is the same one used by the late Mr. Belli and has been very well received by both attendees and presenters.
Build better cases. Get better results.
2026 Presenters:
John Demas - Presenting and framing wrongful death damages: The Anatomy of a $32m wrongful death verdict
Wrongful death of 33-year-old father of two young children, ages 6 and 10. John will share how he persuaded a jury to award $30m in noneconomic damages when the defendants stipulated negligence. Known for his strategic approach and powerful courtroom advocacy, he has secured landmark trial verdicts and significant settlements, earning recognition among California’s leading personal injury attorneys.
Michael Gatto - Identifying and tips for getting full damages for physical injuries
Gatto specializes in prosecution of personal injury claims involving complicated medical issues and theories of liability. He was also on the Amazon Prime Series, This Giant Beast That Is the Global Economy, Season One, Episode Six; The Death Episode.
Neil Berman - Workplace Injuries and Third Party Cases: A Twisted Tale.
The presentation will focus on subrogation liens and credit issues and how to maximize recovery to the injured worker/Plaintiff. Neil practices primarily personal injury law, including products liability, automobile accidents, toxic torts, wrongful death, and premises liability matters.
Lauren Cerri - Overcoming Challenges Posed When Representing Developmentally Disabled Clients
Representation issues to be discussed include: the Guardian Ad Litem, records gathering, challenges in proving liability and damages, and The Petition for Minor's Compromise.
Scott Montgomery - Topic TBA.
Scott has obtained some of the largest and most significant jury verdicts in California history for minor child sexual abuse victims and has also obtained significant jury verdicts in wrongful death, auto crash, and other personal injury cases.
Drew Lloyd - Topic TBA
Trial presentations. What jurors respond to and the tech that delivers it. A playbook for demonstratives, courtroom technology, and persuasion in 2026.
Hon. Vedica Puri (Ret.) - AI Topic TBA.
Adante Pointer, Partner & Civil Rights Trial Attorney at Pointer & Buelna LLP in Oakland - Topic TBA
Jerome Bellotti, Harris Law - Topic TBA.
The seminar is moderated by SCCTLA President-elect, Kathryn Holt Montaperto and Melvin C. Belli.
Date, Time & Location
- Friday, October 2nd
- 9 am to 12:30 pm
- Westin San Jose Hotel
Continental breakfast provided beginning at 8:15 am.
This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. This program qualifies for 3 hours of General MCLE credit. SCCTLA is a certified provider. Provider # 3376.
Earn Your Mandatory CLE Specials Online
Self-Study CLE Videos
Visit the archive for additional self-study videos. The following videos are available for on-demand viewing. Upon completion, please notify SCCTLA for your Certificate of Completion. It is up to the attorney to self report the credit hours to the CA State Bar. All videos are password protected.
Ethics
Update on Legal Ethics
AI on Trial
Ethical Issues in Negotiation & Conflict Dispute Resolution
Bias, Competence & Civility
Unveiling Implicit Bias
Is Practicing Law Driving Us Crazy?
Civility in the Legal Profession
Video Recording of the 2025 Trial & Mediation Skills Seminar
Register to View the Trial & Mediation Skills Seminar
Catch a video replay of the 2025 SCCTLA Belli Trial & Mediation Skills Seminar. In the spirit of the late Melvin Belli, this seminar serves as a forum to learn innovative strategies, tactics, and techniques to help your law firm thrive. Learn from top legal minds (15 minutes per presentation) and discover new ways to increase the value of your cases.
About SCCTLA
Providing members with continuing legal education, social and professional networking opportunities.
Mission Statement: The Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association is a non-profit organization committed to providing members with continuing legal education, networking & involvement with the local bench, providing the community with fair access to the justice system & promoting a positive image of Trial Lawyers.
SCCTLA is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider.
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