Complaint drafting, pretrial motions, depositions and other discovery methods, preparation of witnesses, jury selection, the use of experts, direct and cross-examination, introduction of documents, courtroom techniques, and opening and closing arguments. Role playing in simulated courtroom situations. Once registered, no student may drop this course without the express permission of the dean of students. Enrollment is limited. Pretrial motions and discovery, including depositions of lay and expert witnesses, witness examination, introduction of evidence, courtroom techniques, and oral argument, are covered using pleadings from actual cases tried in federal court.
Enrollment is limited.
Students are required to attend pre-trial conferences and conduct extensive discovery, including conduct of depositions, argument on discovery motions to compel or sanctions, preparation and service of interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, and motions for physical and mental examinations. The course ends with a five-hour mock trial by jury. Participants earn 1 credit for each competition in which they participate, regardless of how they finish. Participants in the Jessup Competition and the Giles S. Rich Competition who compete in the regional rounds must register for this course again, and receive 1 credit in addition to the credit earned for participating in the in-house competition. Once registered, no student may drop this course without permission of the dean of students.