CIVIL TRIAL ADVOCACY FOR LLMs

If you want to develop the advocacy skills of a US trial lawyer, watching re- runs of Boston Legal or The Practice won't be enough. You need hands-on training. This course introduces LLM students to the structure of the jury trial process in the United States and the core skills used by trial lawyers. The seminar will give students first-hand exposure to the full range of trial advocacy skills, from opening statements to closing arguments, including conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses, making and meeting objections, introducing documents and discovery into evidence, and using hypothetical questions with expert witnesses. Throughout the term, students will try their hands at using these skills through simulated exercises and role plays. At the end of the semester, each student will perform as counsel in a simulated "mock" civil trial before a jury. Limited to 12 LL.M. in American Law Program students. A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.