Course Offerings
Criminal Trial Advocacy Program (LAW-694)
Fall Semester
In Criminal Trial Advocacy student-attorneys participate directly in three criminal trials. Fictitious case files are used throughout the course. In WCL classroom sessions, student-attorneys prepare and litigate two criminal cases based on assigned National Institute of Trial Advocacy case files. The final criminal case is tried before a jury panel of high school students.
The course focuses on planning, trial strategy and tactics, opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, suppression motions, and closing arguments. In all sessions, student-attorneys are divided into prosecution and defense teams. Students unassigned as counsel in class trial sessions function as witnesses and jurors. Judges preside over in-class trials and the concluding full-day trial. Cases are deemed to take place in the District of Columbia and are tried under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and Evidence. Criminal Procedure and Evidence must be taken prior to or as a co-requisite to this course.
On a team basis, student-attorneys assume responsibility for preparation and trial presentations. Student-attorneys plan and effectuate strategy, make opening statements, examine and cross-examine witnesses, argue motions and present closings. The Criminal Trial Advocacy course is designed to give each student opportunities to participate directly in a complete jury trial. Trial Advocacy is a "controlled clinic" based on the idea of learning by doing and then receiving feedback and critique from faculty and fellow students.
A special feature of the Trial Advocacy Program is a presentation by a professional actor on the use of theatre skills and techniques to communicate and persuade more effectively. Paul Morella is currently on tour in a one-man show on the life of legendary defense attorney Clarence Darrow.
This course is offered each Fall semester for 3 credits. Enrollment is limited.
Civil Trial Advocacy Program (LAW-695)
Spring Semester
Civil Trial Advocacy student-attorneys participate directly in three trials. Fictitious case files are used throughout the courses. In WCL classroom sessions, student-attorneys prepare and litigate two cases based on assigned National Institute of Trial Advocacy case files. A final case is tried before a jury panel of high school students.
During the Spring term, the focus is on planning, case theory, trial strategy and tactics, opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. In all sessions student-attorneys are divided into plaintiff and defense teams. Students unassigned as counsel in class trial sessions function as witnesses and jurors. Judges preside over in-class trials and the concluding full-day trial. Cases are deemed to take place in the District of Columbia and are tried under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence. Civil Procedure must be taken as a pre-requisite and Evidence may be taken as a pre-requisite or a co-requisite to this course.
On a team basis, student-attorneys assume responsibility for preparation and trial presentation. Student-attorneys plan and effectuate strategy, make opening statements, examine and cross-examine witnesses, argue motions and closings. Trial Advocacy is designed to give each student opportunities to participate directly in a complete jury trial. Trial advocacy is a "controlled clinic" based on the idea of learning by doing and then receiving feedback and critique from faculty and fellow students.
A special feature of the Trial Advocacy Program is a presentation by a professional actor on the use of theatre skills and techniques to communicate and persuade more effectively. Paul Morella is currently on tour in a one-man show on the life of legendary defense attorney Clarence Darrow.
This course is offered each Spring semester for 3 credits. Enrollment is limited.
Trial Advocacy: Evidentiary Foundations and Objections (LAW-968)
Trial Advocacy: Evidentiary Objections & Foundations 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 will develop the skills to advocate for or against the admissibility of evidence at trial.
This is a 3 credit course. Enrollment is limited to 12 students. Evidence is a Pre-requisite.
Trial Advocacy: Litigating in a High Tech Courtroom (LAW-913)
In this course, students will 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 visual advocacy, computer technology and digital graphics. Students will 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.
This course is offered in the Spring for 2 credits. Enrollment is limited to 8 students.
Pre-Trial Civil Litigation (LAW-649)
In Pre-trial Civil Litigation, students explore the pretrial process in federal civil litigation, including drafting pleadings, interrogatories, requests for admissions and documents, motions for summary judgment, and trial briefs.
This course is taught by Judges Michael Algeo, Stephen P. Johnson, Charles B. Day and Professor Elizabeth Boals. This course is offered in the Fall and Spring for 3 credits. Enrollment is limited to 16 students per section.
Pre-Trial Civil Litigation--First Year Elective
This is a 2 credit course 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 Pre-Trial Civil Litigation course in the second, third or fourth years.
