SCCTLA provides members with continuing legal education, social and professional networking opportunities and assistance to improve the administration of justice.
Members
Our members are trial lawyers, students, paralegals and support staff with a commitment to trial work and to our community.
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SCCTLA supports our community and local trial lawyers with continuing education, camaraderie, and networking and community outreach opportunities.
“”This year is about community! Let’s reconnect, rub elbows, learn together, and solve some puzzles. Join us this year for social and learning events designed for trial lawyers–designed for us.”
~ Lisa Peck, Co-President
What We Do
COOKIE COURT. With SCCTLA’s support, Santa Cruz County 5th graders continue to benefit from volunteer trial attorneys who help students put on a “Cookie Trial” inside the courthouse.
MOCK TRIAL. SCCTLA works hard to ensure that Santa Cruz County high school students have the opportunity to participate in the statewide Mock Trial program. This next generation of trial lawyers benefits from our members’ expertise, mentorship and support.
ELBOW RUB. Our annual Elbow Rub gives members and guests the opportunity to enjoy food, drinks, and fun, while honoring someone who has made a unique contribution to our trial lawyer community.
MCLEs. SCCTLA offers regular MCLE courses during the lunch hour at the courthouse, designed specifically for civil and criminal trial lawyers. Earn your MCLE credits while mingling with friends.
ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUP. SCCTLA members have exclusive access to our online discussion group geared at keeping local trial lawyers connected and informed.
TRIAL RESULTS. SCCTLA tracks and analyzes local civil trials to provide members with regular updates.
CIVILITY & DECORUM COMMITTEE. SCCTLA offers members a forum to anonymously share concerns regarding civility and decorum in local practice. The Committee offers candid advice and proposes solutions.
LITIGATION TRENDS. SCCTLA monitors local and statewide litigation trends and creates partnerships with trial lawyers in other counties to offer members access to cutting edge information relevant to their practice.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH. SCCTLA brings trial lawyers together to support our community. Whether it’s coming up with ways to support members who have been affected by natural disasters or personal hardships, organizing wellness and social activities to bring balance to busy lives or spreading the word about volunteer opportunities, SCCTLA nurtures a community of trial lawyers who are actively engaged in the community as a whole.
Donation Dues Model Continues Through 2024: JOIN US!
In 2024, SCCTLA remains committed to supporting local trial lawyers and building our trial lawyer community. We welcome all trial lawyers and people who support trial work to join us. Our donation dues model is designed to make it easy and affordable for everyone to participate in SCTTLA. SCCTLA has been an integral part of the Santa Cruz County trial community for over 30 years, supporting signature programs like High School Mock Trial and the Elementary Law Program (“Cookie Court”) and hosting social events like the annual Elbow Rub and CLEs designed specifically for trial lawyers. Dues and donations support this work. If you are in a position to contribute financially, please do. If not, we welcome your energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie. We will leave your dues up to you.
Events Calendar
The Events Calendar tracks volunteer, networking and social opportunities, trials and evidentiary hearings, local court holidays, and other dates of interest to our members. To add an event to the calendar, send a request to scctla@gmail.com.
Trial Lawyer News
Stay tuned for information about events designed for trial lawyers, including virtual happy hours, MCLEs, and opportunities to volunteer and network with our trial lawyer community.
Santa Cruz County Trial Lawyers Association congratulates Pacific Collegiate School (PCS), winner of the 2026 Santa Cruz County Mock Trial competition. Santa Cruz High School competed against PCS in a dramatic finals event on February 24, finishing as runner-up. Micaela Garcia and Camila Suarez from St. Francis High School received the Paul Marigonda Award for the initiative they demonstrated in forming a team this year that performed admirably and finished 4th in the competition. Teams from eight Santa Cruz County high schools competed in the 2026 Mock Trial, with 14 judges and 49 attorneys volunteering their time in support. SCCTLA…
All our welcome at the SCCTLA Elbow Rub. We would love for you to join SCCTLA but you do not have to be a member to celebrate with us. Our dues model is donation-based to make membership accessible to our entire trial law community, including student, interns, nonprofit and government attorneys, and non-attorney trial team members. The Elbow Rub is also donation based. Your tax-deductible donation helps us continue programming that promotes trial law, including our support of High School Mock Trial and the Elementary Law Program.
Our annual Elbow Rub, honoring Court CEO Sasha Morga and raising money to support the Elementary Law Program (Cookie Court) and High School Mock Trial, drew a crowd of trial lawyers, court staff, family, friends, and children. Revelers enjoyed music by Public Defender DJ Juan Calzetta, tacos by Taco Nayarit, and a piñata filled with candy and Constitutions. Thanks to all our sponsors and to everyone who came out to enjoy this balmy Spring celebration.
Santa Cruz County Trial Lawyers Assocation was honored to support the high school Mock Trial teams who lit up the courthouse this winter with their commitment, passion, and advocacy. Congratulations to Pacific Collegiate School’s Mock Trial Team who won the 2025 Santa Cruz County Mock Trial competition in a hard-won finals round. Santa Cruz High School finished as the first runner up. We were pleased to present the second annual Paul Marigonda Award for exemplifying the courage, commitment and integrity of the late Santa Cruz County Superior Judge Paul Marigonda, to Scotts Valley High School’s Ben Baum, who gave an…
Join us on May 16, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Harvey West Clubhouse to honor Judge Timothy Volkmann with tacos, drinks, and dancing to the Alex Lucero Band.
SCCTLA is proud to announce that Santa Cruz High School won the 2024 Santa Cruz County Mock Trial, following a nail-biting finals event that resulted in a rare tied score. In adherence to Mock Trials rules, presiding Santa Cruz Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati broke the tie between Santa Cruz High and co-finalist Pacific Collegiate School. Santa Cruz High is now eligible to compete in the 2024 California Mock Trial Finals. As runner up in the countywide event, Pacific Collegiate School may be eligible to participate in the wild card lottery to appear in the statewide finals. Wild card eligibility…
Congratulations to the 2023 Pacific Collegiate School Mock Trial Team, winners of the Santa Cruz County competition. And a shoutout to all the SCCTLA members and others who volunteered as coaches and scorers and supported our teams. In 1980, Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) introduced the Mock Trial program to help students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. Mock Trial students prepare for trial. The program currently involves 38 California counties. In Santa Cruz County, Mock Trial is…
Our 2023 Elbow Rub honored the legacy of the Honorable Paul Marigonda and the service of the Honorable Paul Burdick, who retired this year after a lifetime of service to our community. This donation-based event was a chance for trial lawyers, friends, and family to connect in a casual, comfortable venue with live music by local rock band Wonderstill and Mexican food by Taquitos Nayarit. Thanks to everyone who turned out to support SCCTLA and celebrate our trial lawyer community.
On July 14, 2021, we hosted our first in-person MCLE of the year on a topic that we’ve all been scrambling to catch up with: Depositions, Evidence & Persuasion – By Remote.
On October 30, 2020, trial lawyers and their families got together to run the Covengers! 5K to support Santa Cruz County Parks. Together, we raised several hundred dollars for this worthy cause.
2022 Elbow Rub on May 5 Honored Judge Heather Morse with an In-Person Event Enjoyed by All
On May 5, 2022, the trial lawyer community came together to honor Judge Heather Morse at SCCTLA’s first Elbow Rub since the onset of the pandemic. Members and guest enjoyed tacos, live music, and camaraderie at Harvey West Park. Thank you to our generous sponsors and donors who raised over $2,000 to support SCCTLA’s programming, including High School Mock Trial, Elementary School Cookie Court and MCLEs designed to elevate the practice of trial law in Santa Cruz County.
Join us or renew your membership to support our growing trial lawyer community.
About Us
SCCTLA has been supporting local trial lawyers and building community for over 30 years. In 1989, local trial lawyers Bob Katz and Robert Yonts saw a need for an organization dedicated to providing programs, events and services designed specifically for local trial lawyers. SCCTLA continues to fill this niche.
For premium content available only to members, including a compilation and analysis of local civil trial results, access to the online discussion group, and a confidential form for submitting issues to the Civility & Decorum Committee, enter your Member Password here. SCCTLA membership for 2021-2022 is completely free. To join and get a Member Password, fill out a simple form here.
Support Our Sponsors
Our sponsors make it possible for SCCTLA to consistently provide quality programs, events, and services to our members and community. If you would like to support SCCTLA with a tax-deductible sponsorship of $250, get in touch. You can pay for your sponsorship now at our online store, or by sending a check to SCCTLA, 716 Ocean Street, Ste. 100, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. If you would like to make a lasting contribution to the growth and future of SCCTLA, consider making a sustaining monthly or yearly donation to support SCCTLA or the 5th Grade Cookie Court or high school Mock Trial programs.
