I’ve been meaning to post about this for quite some time…

At the end of the summer, just before the fall semester, I took “Intensive Trial Advocacy”. It’s an eight-day intensive course–and at my school, you have to take the follow up (“Trial Ad 2”) the next semester. Many schools have similar classes, called “Trial Ad” or “Trial Practice” or somesuch.

It was definitely an intense experience. Essentially, you are cramming a three credit hour course into eight days–eight long days–covering as many aspects of trial practice as possible. It’s mentally exhausting, but it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in law school. First, I learned an incredible amount. Second, I felt more camaraderie with my classmates in Trial Ad than in many of my other law school courses–not to say it wasn’t competitive, it was. But it was also a lot of fun.

The course takes you through skills like direct examination, cross examination, witness prep, opening and closing statements, objections, etc. It is without a doubt the best way to learn the rules of evidence–much better than evidence class! Having to think about the rules of evidence in a practical sense, during prep and during trial, is far more instructive than reading caselaw.

Learning to direct and cross witnesses was valuable as well, and opening statements/closing arguments helped cure some of my public speaking foibles (hopefully). All in all, there was a lot of thinking on your feet–it’s a great way to hone your presentation and public speaking skills, all while actually getting to apply your analytical skills and knowledge of the law. I’ll admit, the motion practice section is a little weak, at least in the intensive session. Intensive really focuses on the trial itself, with many exercises and mini-trials, leading up to the final, which is a full-blown jury trial. In the second course, you get to delve into motion practice a little more, and refine some of the skills from intensive.

If you’re a law student looking to take something in your 2/3L year that will not only be educational, but also a lot of fun, I would *highly* recommend taking a Trial Advocacy course, even if you don’t plan on being a litigator–which I don’t. The skills you’ll pick up in Trial Ad will help you think on your feet better and refine your communication skills. Regardless of what type of law you hope or think you will end up practicing, I think every law student would benefit from this type of practical course.