Trial Advocacy

Trial Advocacy  (Summer 2025)

• Course Number: LAW-430
• Course Type: Foundational, Experiential
• Credits: 2
• Enrollment Limit: 20
• Restrictions: Students may not earn credit for both Integrated Evidence & Trial Advocacy and Trial Advocacy.
• Description: 

  This course will teach the basis of trial advocacy in an intensive, hands on way.

  Students completing this course will be competent in the general skills of trial practice: developing a theory of the case, examining witnesses (direct and cross examination), qualifying and cross-examining experts, admitting physical evidence, objecting to testimonial and physical evidence (and responding to such objections), giving an opening statement, and giving a closing argument.

  Students will receive lectures (with assignments) asynchronously during the beginning of the term. Then students will have 2 weeks of intensive practice to hone their skills in small groups and on their feet. Students will be learning a skill, receiving feedback, and then have to implement that feedback the very next day in more on-feet performance. The class will culminate in full trials for the students where they put together all of their skills.

• Prerequisite: none
• Evaluation Method: Weekly simulation assignments, assignments tied to asynchronous lectures, final trial performance.
• Capstone: no
• WIE: no

Note: This course will be a hybrid course with asynchronous lectures and in-person class time. The asynchronous learning will take place during the first 2-3 weeks of summer session II. The in-person classes will occur during the last two weeks of summer session II. Students will need to be able to commit to attending all in-person class sessions which will be: Week 1 - M-F 7:35-9:30; Week 2 - M-Th 7:35-9:30 and Friday 8am-4pm.