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Course Details

Trial Advocacy (Perricone/Henry/McCartney)

Fall 2024   LAW 702-001  

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Additional Information
Experiential Course

Yes

Skills Training
Oral Presentations
Team Projects

Grading
100% Participation

Satisfies Senior Writing Requirement

No

Location

Class meets in person.

Meeting Times/Location
M 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Tanenbaum Hall 145

Category
Upper-Level

Credits
2.0

This is a credit-fail course focused on learning courtroom skills by way of observation and simulation. Students are required to engage in exercises that demonstrate an understanding of trial techniques and related litigation theory development in civil and criminal cases. Class attendance and participation are mandatory.

Classes consist primarily of student role-play of specific assignments they have read and prepared for outside of class. In the class sessions, each student will perform one of the critical components of a jury trial: direct examination, cross-examination, objections, preparation of witnesses, jury selection, preparation and examination of expert witnesses, introduction of exhibits, and opening and closing arguments. The course instructors, each of whom is a trial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in state and federal court, provide feedback to each student after each exercise. Course objectives include comprehensive understanding of each part of a trial and creating strong fundamental skills in the art of courtroom advocacy.

The student exercises in class are supplemented by in-class demonstrations of trial skills by the instructors, as well as guest practitioners who possess particular expertise in those trial techniques. Each class also involves discussion of the principals of trial advocacy that are explored in the assigned textbook readings. Woven throughout the in-class demonstrations and the instructors’ feedback to students are discussions of the applicable Rules of Professional Responsibility and the Federal Rules of Evidence. It is strongly recommended that students have completed, or are currently enrolled in, an Evidence course.

The course culminates in a full mock trial in which each student plays the role of trial counsel. The mock trials take place in state or federal courtrooms in Philadelphia, with classmates and others playing parties, witnesses and jurors.

Approximately six (6) students will be selected from the combined classes to participate, on a voluntary basis, in the National Trial Competition. Tryouts are held in November. If selected for the Trial Team, a student will not be required to attend the mock trial portion of the first semester, but instead will meet with the trial team for intensive preparation for the National Trial Competition in February. Trial Team members will receive both a Fall Trial Advocacy course credit and a Spring mock trial credit.

Course Concentrations Skills Learning outcomes: Demonstrate an understanding of the timeline of a criminal or civil trial; Demonstrate the ability to receive and implement feedback with the aim of becoming an effective advocate; Demonstrate the individual advocacy skills required to be a trial lawyer.

Courts and the Judicial System Learning outcomes: Demonstrate a core understanding of both substantive and procedural issues in the operation of our legal system; Perform legal analysis in the context of procedural issues, ethical issues, and the judicial process; Communicate effectively on topics related to procedure and the judicial process; Demonstrate an understanding of how procedural issues and the judicial process affect all other area of our legal system.

Textbooks "Modern Trial Advocacy: Analysis and Practice [Connected eBook with Study Center] (NITA)" by Steven Lubet and J.C. Lore Edition: Law Student ed, 6th Publisher: Aspen Pub ISBN: 9781601568984 Required

"Problems in Trial Advocacy " by Bocchino and Beskind Edition: 2023 (December 4, 2023) Publisher: Aspen Pub ISBN: 9798886690255 Required

Course Concentrations

Skills Learning outcomes: Demonstrate an understanding of the individual course skill; Demonstrate the ability to receive and implement feedback; Demonstrate an understanding of how and when the individual course skill is employed in practice.

Courts and the Judicial System Learning outcomes: Demonstrate a core understanding of both substantive and procedural issues in the operation of our legal system; Perform legal analysis in the context of procedural issues and the judicial process; Communicate effectively on topics related to procedure and the judicial process; Demonstrate an understanding of how procedural issues and the judicial process affect all other area of our legal system.


Textbooks

"Modern TrialModern Trial Advocacy: Analysis and Practice [Connected eBook with Study Center] (NITA)" by Steven Lubet and J.C. Lore
Edition: Law Student ed, 6th
Publisher: Aspen Pub
ISBN: 9781601568984
Required

"Problems in Trial Advocacy " by Bocchino and Beskind
Edition: 2023 (December 4, 2023)
Publisher: Aspen Pub
ISBN: 9798886690255
Required