Course Offerings
Criminal Trial Advocacy Program (LAW-694)
Fall Semester
Criminal Trial Advocacy courses are team-taught in small sections by a sitting or retired judge and an experienced litigator. Students divide into litigating teams and through simulation, try three separate cases based on case files developed by the
National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). Students play the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and jurors in two of the trials. This simulation structure allows students to get "on their feet" in a courtroom and, with the guidance and instruction of the faculty, learn the tools of courtroom lawyering. The focus is on planning, case theory, trial strategy and tactics, opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments.
In addition to the semester-long coursework associated with Criminal Trial Advocacy, the course features a final mock trial which takes place in the Montgomery County Courthouse in Rockville, Maryland, with trial court judges presiding. To further enhance the realism of this final trial, the Program uses outside witnesses and enlists the assistance of local high schools to provide jurors for all of the final mock trials. The result is an environment that gives the students an opportunity to work before a jury, and provides local high school students the opportunity to better understand the workings of the legal system.
A unique feature of this Program is a professional actor, Paul Morella, who critiques student performances and teaches stage techniques to improve presence and persuasion. Click here for more information about Paul Morella.
This course is offered each Fall semester for 3 credits. Criminal Procedure and Evidence must be taken prior to or as a co-requisite to this course. Enrollment is limited to 14 students per section.
Civil Trial Advocacy Program (LAW-695)
Spring Semester
Civil Trial Advocacy courses are team-taught in small sections by a sitting or retired judge and an experienced litigator. Students divide into litigating teams and through simulation, try three separate cases based on case files developed by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). Students play the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and jurors in two of the trials. This simulation structure allows students to get "on their feet" in a courtroom and, with the guidance and instruction of the faculty, learn the tools of courtroom lawyering. The focus is on planning, case theory, trial strategy and tactics, opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments.
In addition to the semester-long coursework associated with Civil Trial Advocacy, the course features a final mock trial which takes place in the Montgomery County Courthouse in Rockville, Maryland, with trial court judges presiding. To further enhance the realism of this final trial, the Program uses outside witnesses and enlists the assistance of local high schools to provide jurors for all of the final mock trials. The result is an environment that gives the students an opportunity to work before a jury, and provides local high school students the opportunity to better understand the workings of the legal system.
A unique feature of this Program is a professional actor, Paul Morella, who critiques student performances and teaches stage techniques to improve presence and persuasion. Click here for more information about Paul Morella.
This course is offered each Spring semester for 3 credits. Civil Procedure must be taken as a pre-requisite and Evidence must be taken prior to or as a co-requisite to this course. Enrollment is limited to 14 students per section.
Trial Advocacy: Evidentiary Foundations and Objections (LAW-968)
This is a practical course designed to enrich students' understanding of the Federal Rules of Evidence and their application in a trial setting. Through a series of exercises, which simulate witness examinations, students develop the skills to advocate for or against the admissibility of evidence at trial. In addition to these trial simulation exercises, the course has an instructional component that draws upon the assigned readings to contextualize the exercises.
This course is taught by practicing attorneys Roy Austin, Michael Bruckheim, Phil Andonian, Kay Winfree, and Professor Elizabeth Boals.
This course is offered each Fall and Spring for 3 credits. Evidence and either Civil or Criminal Trial Advocacy are pre-requisites. Enrollment is limited to 12 students per section.
Trial Advocacy: Litigating in a High Tech Courtroom (LAW-913)
In this course, students explore through lecture, demonstration, and discussion the accumulation, organization and presentation of proof in the digital world. This includes an examination of evidentiary and procedural rules as they relate to ediscovery, visual advocacy, computer technology and digital graphics. Students also prepare and present visual evidence using the evidence camera and PowerPoint graphics in various trial segments (opening, closing, etc.) based on case files by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.
This seminar is taught by Mark Austrian, Esquire and Stephen Pavsner, Esquire.
This course is offered in the Spring for 2 credits. Enrollment is limited to 8 students.
Pre-Trial Civil Litigation (LAW-649)
In Pretrial Civil Litigation, students explore the pretrial process in federal civil litigation, including drafting pleadings, interrogatories, requests for admissions and documents, and motions for summary judgment. These skills are taught through the use of a simulated case file, which allows students to learn the theory behind pretrial litigation and to apply that knowledge to prepare a case from the initial client interview through the beginning of courtroom litigation.
This course is taught by Judges Michael Algeo, Stephen P. Johnson, Charles B. Day, and practicing attorneys Michael Bruckheim and Jim Lay.
This course is offered in the Fall and Spring for 3 credits. Enrollment is limited to 16 students per section.
Pretrial Civil Litigation - -First Year Elective
In the first year elective of Pretrial Litigation students cover the same material that is covered in the upper-level course less the drafting of the motions for summary judgments.
This course is taught by practicing attorney James Lay and Professor Elizabeth Boals.
This course is offered in the Spring for 2 credits. Enrollment is limited to 16 students.
Students who take this course will not be eligible for the Pretrial Civil Litigation course in the second, third or fourth years.