Trial Practice II

Catalog description

Law 412 Trial Practice II, Section One This graded 3 unit course offers the opportunity to build upon the basic trial advocacy skills developed in the Trial Practice I course through in-depth case analysis and strategy, advanced direct and cross examination including expert witnesses, and use of the written and oral motions in limine to support the basis for evidentiary objections and foundations for admissibility of evidence. The student/faculty ratio is 8 to 1. The faculty rotate among the student groups and each student is given the opportunity to perform the exercises necessary to learn the skill. Each student is paired with a partner and required to conduct a two bench trials and a jury trial during the course of the semester. Law 412 Trial Practice II, Section Two TRIAL PRACTICE II: A SECURITIES FRAUD TRIAL This semester-long course provides a unique opportunity to try a securities fraud case to verdict culminating in a full-day mock jury trial as the final. Students in this class, limited to 8 students, will try one complex civil case: a private claim of securities fraud alleging that the Defendants operated a Ponzi scheme in violation of Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Students will work with a complex case file, including deposition transcripts, sworn statements, an expert report, investment offering materials, correspondence, bank records, and accounting records. Students will create their own summary and demonstrative exhibits to better inform and persuade the jury, and learn how to persuasively use courtroom technology to use exhibits at trial. Leading up to trial, the students will submit brief written motions in limine and responses; these and other pretrial matters will be addressed at a pretrial conference the week before trial. This course satisfies the Trial Practice II requirement.