Reaching Outside the Courtroom: Why Community Matters
By: Craig Peters
As trial lawyers, we spend a lot of time talking about advocacy in terms of what happens in the courtroom—how well we prepare, how clearly we present the facts, and how effectively we tell our clients’ stories. But over the years, I’ve realized that real advocacy doesn’t start or stop at the courthouse steps. It stretches into our communities, our professional organizations, and the spaces where future trial lawyers are learning what it takes to carry this work forward.
My involvement with groups like CAOC, AAJ, ABOTA, IATL, ACTL, and ISOB has really shaped this perspective. These organizations remind us that being a trial lawyer isn’t only about winning cases. We’re caretakers of a public institution, and part of that responsibility is supporting the rule of law, promoting civility, and making sure the next generation has the education, mentorship, and opportunities they need to keep our profession strong.
Mentorship: Helping the Next Generation Grow
Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from mentoring newer lawyers. These organizations have long believed that trial advocacy is a craft—one best learned by doing, by talking things through, and by learning directly from people who’ve spent years in the trenches. I’ve had the chance to help lawyers sharpen their courtroom presence by improving their storytelling, using better visuals, and practicing over and over.
But mentorship isn’t a one-way street. Younger lawyers ask bold questions, bring fresh ideas, and push us to grow. They help us see old problems from new angles. When we invest in them, we uplift our profession and strengthen the justice system as a whole.
Flash Trials: A New Way to Build Skills
Back in 2005—starting with my time as Director of Training at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office—I spent a lot of time teaching trial skills programs. One ongoing challenge kept coming up: after people finished a training, it could be months before they actually got to try a case. Skills fade when they’re not used.
So, fellow trial lawyer Rich Schoenberger and I came up with a simple solution: flash trials.
The idea is straightforward. On a Saturday, participants show up to try a case they only received three days earlier. No money on the line, no huge time commitment—just a focused chance to stretch their trial muscles.
Working with the San Francisco chapter of ABOTA, we held these programs at the San Francisco Superior Court courthouse, complete with volunteer judges, witnesses, and even “mini juries.” More than 40 participants joined in. The fast pace and realistic format make the experience both energizing and incredibly effective.
Programs like these show that legal education doesn’t have to be rigid. It can be creative and responsive to what lawyers actually need. And organizations like SF-ABOTA play a big role in keeping trial skills sharp in a changing legal world.
Building Community on a Global Scale
My work with the International Academy of Trial Lawyers has also broadened my sense of what it means to be part of a legal community. The Academy brings together lawyers from all over the world who share a commitment to justice and professionalism.
Talking with colleagues from different countries—hearing how their systems work and the challenges they face—reminds me that while we may practice locally, the principles we value are universal. The relationships formed there create a global network of support and learning.
Giving Back Beyond the Profession
Community involvement isn’t limited to legal circles. Whether it’s teaching Constitution Day sessions at local schools, joining civic education programs, or supporting nonprofits that serve vulnerable communities, lawyers have countless ways to give back.
When we show up outside the courtroom—when we teach, volunteer, or simply help explain how the legal process works—we help build trust in the justice system. That trust is essential to any healthy democracy.
Why Service Matters
In the end, everything we do outside the courtroom strengthens what we do inside it. Mentoring, teaching, volunteering, collaborating—these are all part of building a profession that is fair, accessible, and grounded in service.
For me, being a trial lawyer has always meant more than trying cases. It’s about lifting others up, honoring the institutions that protect our rights, and preparing the next generation to carry the torch with integrity. Community involvement isn’t extra—it’s essential.