Biography
Mary Connaughton, a clinical faculty member in the Civil Litigation & Justice Program since 1993, teaches courses in lawyering skills, trial advocacy, and evidence law. She also supervises students in administrative, state and federal court hearings in social security disability, unemployment compensation, divorce and housing disputes.
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Courses
Civil Litigation and Justice Program: LAW JD 861
3 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to one of the four clinics in the Civil Litigation and Justice Program. These clinics are: the Access to Justice Clinic (A2J), the Appellate Clinic, the Civil Litigation Clinic (CLC), and the Consumer Economic Justice Clinic (CEJC). Students in the Civil Litigation and Justice Program handle their own caseloads and/or systems change projects under the supervision of clinical faculty. Students participate in the Program for the full year through one of the four clinic options.
NOTE: The Civil Litigation and Justice Program counts towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
FALL 2024: LAW JD 861 A1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
FALL 2024: LAW JD 861 B1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
FALL 2024: LAW JD 861 C1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
FALL 2024: LAW JD 861 D1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 861 A1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 861 B1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 861 C1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 861 D1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
Civil Litigation: Trial Ad: LAW JD 974
3 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to the Civil Litigation and Justice Program. Trial Advocacy is the companion spring classroom component for students in the Civil Litigation and Justice Program IRL and spring ERC clinics. Trial Advocacy is taught in groups of roughly 14 students with two clinical professors per group. Classes are devoted to learning the theories of practice for use in the field, reinforced by activities and simulations in which students practice skills through role play. NOTE: This course does not count towards the Professional Responsibility requirement. NOTE: This course counts towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 974 A1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
Evidence: LAW JD 831
4 credits
Donweber: Practical and theoretical aspects of the rules of evidence. The purpose and policies underlying the evidentiary rules are stressed throughout in order to make the rules meaningful, predictable, and functional both for students interested in trial practice and for students who anticipate engaging in a more diversified practice. In addition to covering the substantive rules of evidence, the course demonstrates the significance of evidence as a tactical device at the trial and as a vital skill for the office lawyer. Gonzales Rose: This course will examine the rules and doctrines of Evidence Law with a focus on the Federal Rules of Evidence and pertinent constitutional law. We will cover hearsay and its exceptions, relevance, prejudice, character evidence, impeachment, and other central subjects. Emphasis will be on the practical application, the policies and purposes, and theoretical considerations of Evidence Law. This course utilizes a problem-based approach to learning and encourages critical analysis of how Evidence Law impacts equity and justice. Assessment for the course will be based upon a bar-style multiple-choice final examination, a policy paper, and short review assignments due before each class (after the first week). Okidegbe: Evidence law is a system of rules and standards that regulates proof of facts in adjudication. This course will examine the rules of Evidence Law with a focus on the Federal Rules of Evidence. It will utilize a problem-based approach to learning evidentiary concepts and standards. The topics covered by this course include relevance, character evidence, impeachment, competency of witnesses, the hearsay rule, opinion evidence, and other central subjects. Assessment for the course will be based upon a final examination. GRADING NOTICE: Professor Okidegbe’s and Professor Reza’s sections do not offer the CR/NC/H option.
FALL 2024: LAW JD 831 A1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
FALL 2024: LAW JD 831 B1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 831 A1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 831 D1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
Semester in Practice Program: Fieldwork: LAW JD 739
10 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have received permission from the Clinical and Experiential Programs Office to enroll. This course is the fieldwork component of the Semester-in-Practice Program. Students spend a semester working full-time for credit in non-profits, government agencies, courts, private companies, or law firms. Placements may be paid or unpaid. Students may find their own placements that must be approved by the Clinical and Experiential Programs Office, or the Office has resources to help students identify and apply to suitable field placements based on their interests and career goals. NOTE: Students who enroll in the Semester-in-Practice Program may count the credits towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Seminar (JD 740).
FALL 2024: LAW JD 739 A1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 739 A1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
Semester in Practice Program: Seminar: LAW JD 740
2 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have received permission from the Clinical and Experiential Programs Office to enroll. This course is the seminar component of the Semester-in-Practice Program. Students will take the course online or on campus course (depending on the location of their placement). Topics covered in class will include legal ethics and professional responsibility, professional development, access to justice, cross-cultural lawyering, and the changing role of the legal professional. Students will have weekly readings and be expected to write weekly reflective memoranda. They will also give a presentation and prepare a final 10-12 page paper. NOTE: Students enrolled in this course may count the credits towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Fieldwork (JD 739).
FALL 2024: LAW JD 740 A1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 740 A1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025