This course is designed to maximize the development of decision-making and analytical ability. The various problems emphasize the importance of theory choice by lawyers, as well as the interrelationships among the rules of trial procedure, evidence, and legal ethics. Students are strongly urged to enroll simultaneously in either Professor Burns' or Professor Hughes' Evidence class, although any section of Evidence meets the Corequisite or Prerequisite requirement. This course is graded on the basis of the students' weekly performances and final jury trial. There is no exam.
Attendance is mandatory.
Students may not drop this course after the first week of classes. The faculty consists of sitting judges and active trial lawyers all of whom have extensive experience teaching trial practice. In the classroom, students perform problems as trial counsel in small groups with a faculty member in charge of each group. These problems include direct and cross examination of lay and expert witnesses, adverse examinations, introduction of exhibits, impeachment, opening statements, and closing arguments. Each student's performance is critiqued by a faculty member.