Civil Trial Advocacy

Catalog description

The Civil Trial Advocacy course is based on trial simulations, practical instruction, learning by doing, and feedback from faculty and fellow students.  The course focuses on case theory, trial strategy and tactics, opening statements, examination of witnesses, and closing arguments.  In this course student-attorneys try three fictitious cases.  Students try the final case in a courtroom before a real judge and jury panel of undergraduate students.  Cases are tried under the Federal Rules of Civil procedure and Evidence.  Each section has two instructors, a judge and a law professor or attorney experienced in litigation.  Special features of these classes are in-class discussions by a professional actor on the use of techniques to communicate more effectively and a homicide detective on the basics of criminal investigations.