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News from The Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program May 2013

The Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program offers 35 sections of Trial Advocacy courses to over 400 students. Each section is taught by two instructors, usually a trial judge and a full-time faculty member or an experienced litigator.

New Summer Litigation Skills Program

WCL will host an annual Litigation Skills Program beginning this summer from July 13 through July 28. The program is designed for both experienced practitioners and advanced law students interested in mastering basic litigation skills.  The two week program consists of four courses: lay witness depositions, expert witness depositions, digital presentations, and civil trial advocacy.  Participants have the choice to take one, two, three, or all courses. Courses are primarily held in the evenings and weekends to accomodate busy practitioners and students.

Fifth Annual Capitol City Challenge Incorporates a Jury Voir Dire

The American University, Washington College of Law Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program and Mock Trial Honor Society proudly announce the Fifth Annual Capitol City Challenge. This year’s mock trial competition takes place on February 28 - March 3, 2013, at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Unlike any other mock trial competition, the final round will be preceded by a jury panel voir dire during which the final teams will be able to select their panel of scoring judges. The competition features a criminal case problem and access to modern courthouse technology. Eighteen of the nation's top trial advocacy schools will compete.

Professor Aaronson Publishes an Article about Social Media

Professor David Aaronson, Director of the Trial Advocacy Program at WCL, co-authored an article addressing the challenges of jury instructions in the digital age. The article, entitled "Modernizing Jury Instructions in the Age of Social Media," was featured in the Winter 2013 publication of the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice magazine. The article analyzes juror misconduct through the use of social media and proposes standard jury instructions in order to address and prevent any such misconduct.

Professor Boals Releases a New Publication

Professor Elizabeth Boals, Associate Director of the Trial Advocacy Program at WCL, has published a new case file entitled Addison v. Peyton.  The casefile involves a negligence claim arising out of a hit and run car collision. The case file explores medical expert testimony, character evidence, bias impeachment, prior recorded testimony, 911 call evidence, breath test admissibility, and criminal conviction impeachment. 

Professor Elizabeth Lippy Receives Teaching Award

Professor Elizabeth Lippy, Assistant Director of the Trial Advocacy Program, received the WCL Adjunct Teaching Award. Professor Lippy teaches Evidentiary Foundations and Objections, Civil and Criminal Trial Advocacy, and Scientific Evidence and Expert Testimony. The award recognizes outstanding teaching, thoughtful pedagogy, committed student mentoring, or exceptional creativity and innovation in instruction by a member of the adjunct faculty.

Trial Advocacy Program Contact Information:

David E. Aaronson, Director - daarons@wcl.american.edu; (202)274-4201

Elizabeth I. Boals, Assoc. Director - eboals@wcl.american.edu; (202)274-4073

Elizabeth L. Lippy, Asst. Director - elippy@wcl.american.edu; (202)274-4145

Kimberly Green, Program Coord. - ksgreen@wcl.american.edu; (202)274-4258