WTO Academy on Complex Litigation Application Portal

The WTO Academy is a prestigious and distinctive collaboration between the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and the nationally recognized trial law firm of Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell (WTO) designed to train outstanding law students and judicial law clerks in real-world skills relevant to the field of complex litigation. Supervised by expert law school faculty and partners from leading law firms, the WTO Academy fosters competitively selected WTO Fellows in the development of legal skills and strategic insights relevant to the field of complex litigation.

WTO Fellows will (1) participate in a kick-off meeting and several online briefing sessions in fall 2026 addressing legal and strategic issues bearing on class action litigation and the assigned simulation problem; and (2) attend a three-day skills-based bootcamp in Denver on January 16-18, 2027, in which they will take and defend depositions bearing on class certification, engage in oral arguments before one or more federal judges, and receive expert instruction from instructional faculty and law firm partners. The WTO Academy will conclude on January 18 with an event in Denver celebrating Fellows, instructors, and presiding judges.

WTO Fellows will receive a cash award of $5,000, and those located outside Denver will receive stipends for travel and lodging.

Individuals interested in applying to participate in the WTO Academy should submit the following materials by August 3, 2026: (1) a statement of no more than 250 words describing their interest in the WTO Academy; (2) a resume; and (3) a copy of their current law school transcript. Finalists will be interviewed via Zoom during August with selection decisions made by September 1, 2026. Should you have any questions about the WTO Academy, please reach out to WTOAcademy-Questions@du.edu.

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