Prizes are awarded on the quality of the student's oral argument. All second-year students are required to enroll in Professional Responsibility. Ethical responsibilities of the lawyer are examined in the course. Considerable emphasis is placed on the Code of Professional Responsibility of the American Bar Association. A practical approach is taken in this course for third-year students interested in careers as trial lawyers.
Students argue criminal and civil cases before faculty and members of the bench and bar.
A trial is divided into component parts, and each student is required to handle pleading, voir dire, opening statement, direct examination, cross examination, introduction of exhibits, preparation of instructions, and closing argument. Court Certification Students may become court certified after their second year at Willamette, according to provisions established by the American Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar. Court certification permits the law student, with the supervision of a practicing attorney, to argue in an Oregon courtroom. Other academic and professional requirements must also be met before court certification is approved. Because of Willamette's proximity to the State Courts, some students seek positions as judicial externs to enhance their academic and professional experience.