Narrative Edge Trial Academy
Providing advocacy training and consulting for lawyers and persuasion training for business executives.
Better Stories,
Better Trials.
Lawyers are called to persuade. It is our number one responsibility. It is the primary reason clients hire us. And the key to persuasion is storytelling. We teach how to incorporate compelling storytelling into all aspects of trial and deposition practice. There are other advocacy programs. Some of them are very good. But nobody teaches what we’re teaching. Come and see the difference.
Courses and Programs
We offer multiple training program options for lawyers and business executives, taught by top professionals in the field. Individuals can attend our programs in Los Angeles, and we can also provide bespoke programs to suit your firm’s individual needs.
Advanced Trial Skills
Our flagship program, this is a cannot-miss, intensive trial-skills class infusing storytelling techniques in all aspects of trial advocacy. Ideal for lawyers at all skill and experience levels, Advanced Trial Skills incorporates performance-based training techniques used by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy in the United States and the Hampel Method in the UK and […]
Mastering Depositions
We learn how to take depositions in school, but not this way! Narrative Edge uses storytelling techniques not just to mine for facts, figures and data points but to gather the pieces we need to weave together a compelling narrative—in motion practice, in mediation, and especially at trial. Very little in litigation changes the settlement […]
Our Executive Persuasion Program
We’ve all seen court room dramas play out on TV and in the movies, those masterful cross examinations, the emotional closing arguments, perhaps an intense deposition. Extracting information from a witness is one thing, but distilling it into a compelling narrative that tells a story, paints a picture, advocates a point of view, evokes emotion, […]
A Better Cross
Almost every lawyer has heard that trials are about storytelling. Many lawyers who don’t know how to tell effective stories still parrot that longstanding truth. But few lawyers know how to tell effective stories in cross examination. We will teach you how. Telling effective stories in cross examination is critical, because your audience can only […]
Why Choose Narrative Edge Trial Academy?
With a unique focus on performance-based learning, our programs are designed to bring out the best in each participant. Whether you’re a lawyer or business leader, Narrative Edge has the training and expertise to elevate your skills.
Learn Our Story
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Innovative Storytelling Focus
We place storytelling at the center of every skill we teach, ensuring you not only present facts but also engage and persuade your audience effectively.
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Expert Instruction
Learn from top faculty from around the world who bring real-world experience and success to the classroom.
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Bespoke Programs
Our training is tailored to meet the unique needs of your firm or business, whether in Los Angeles or at your location.
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Proven Results
Our programs are designed to deliver real, measurable improvements in your trial performance and business communication skills.
Mission Statement
Our mission at Narrative Edge Trial Academy is to elevate the art of advocacy through effective storytelling. We provide lawyers with the tools they need to tell compelling stories in all aspects of trial. And we help business leaders take the tools of a trial lawyer and employ them in the business world, in board presentations, negotiations, public-facing communications, and in selling a vision to employees.
Founder & Director of Narrative Edge Trial Academy
Chris Arledge is a Partner at Ellis George LLP and the creator and director of Ellis George’s Trial Academy. He has been trying intellectual property and other complex business disputes for more than twenty years.
Chris has landed multimillion-dollar verdicts for plaintiffs in a wide range of cases involving patents, trademarks, licensing agreements, and other commercial disputes, as well as defense verdicts for defendants. His verdict in a 2024 trademark infringement case of $34.9 million is the second-largest jury verdict in the State of California this year and is the 14th largest jury verdict in a trademark case in the nation over the last 25 years.
Learn about Faculty
Professional Testimonials
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Dan Livingston
Partner, Payne & Fears LLPChris is the best trial practice teacher that I have ever met. His programs are always interesting, practical and innovative. I highly recommend his workshop on the art of cross-examination – he takes the legendary Francis Wellman and Irving Younger to a whole new and modern level. -
Justice Ann Ainsley-Wallace
Chair, Australian Advocacy InstituteAll advocates should continually look to improving their skills. Every advocate, whatever seniority or standard, would benefit enormously from attending this course. The individual training and considered feedback allow each advocate to reflect on how to improve their preparation and case analysis, effective and persuasive argument and witness handling skills. -
Peter Afrasiabi
Managing Partner, One LLPChris Arledge is the best trial lawyer I have seen. He is also the best teacher of trial advocacy I have seen. I have watched him take complex trial tasks, break them down into their critical components, and in clear and simple language, show a student how to improve their performance immediately. I’ve seen him do this for lawyers of all levels, from absolute beginners to lawyers who have been practicing for many decades. -
Professor Justin Bernstein
Director of Trial Advocacy, UCLA School of LawChristopher Arledge is the rare lawyer who can both connect with a jury and teach others how to connect with a jury. I've seen him teach lawyers—recent grads and veteran trial lawyers alike—how to tell compelling stories, prepare inescapable cross-examinations, and craft themes and arguments that actually persuade. -
Superior Court Judge
Two-Month Jury Trial, Regarding Chris Arledge's Cross ExaminationAs good as anything I’ve ever seen. [Chris Arledge’s] ability to keep control of the witness while also telling a story was something I don’t think I’ve seen anybody else do. If I were still practicing, I would go to one of your classes or read your book. -
Trial Judge
Copyright Case, Regarding Chris Arledge's Closing ArgumentsChris Arledge’s closing argument was “one of the best closing arguments [the trial judge had] seen in 40 years. -
Trial Judge
Defamation Case, Regarding Chris Arledge's Cross-Examination of the PlaintiffThe most riveting examination [the trial judge had] seen in any trial … exquisite work.
The Latest Insights & Updates
Chris Arledge’s Article “Effective Storytelling on Cross Examination” Published in Orange County Lawyer
Orange County Lawyer has recently published an article written by Narrative Edge’s Founder and Ellis George LLP Partner Chris Arledge titled “Effective Storytelling on Cross Examination.”...
Our Current Approach To Trial Advocacy Training Is Lacking | Published in Law360
Chris Arledge, Founder of Narrative Edge Trial Academy, authored an article titled “Our Current Approach To Trial Advocacy Training Is Lacking,” published in Law360. In...