Trial Advocacy Program
The Trial Advocacy Program at Boston University introduces students to the structure of the trial process and gives them personal training in the skills needed by trial lawyers. Small sections are taught by some of the leading judges and practitioners in New England who use simulated cases to teach students the realities of the courtroom. At the end of the semester, each student performs as counsel in a simulated trial. Instructors are given discretion, but most sections cover opening statements and closing arguments, the preparation of witnesses, developing a theory of the case, objections, introduction of real and documentary evidence and expert witnesses, as well as direct and cross-examination.
Courses
Trial Advocacy: LAW JD 894
3 credits
This course introduces the student to the structure of the trial process and the skills used by trial lawyers. The topics covered range from opening statements to closing arguments, including conducting direct and cross-examination of witnesses, making and meeting objections, introducing documents and discovery into evidence, and using hypothetical questions with expert witnesses. Students must perform simulated exercises and will try one or more civil or criminal cases before a jury. Visit the web for more information on the instructors. PREREQUISITE: EVIDENCE. Students taking TRIAL ADVOCACY in the second semester of their third year may take EVIDENCE as a COREQUISITE. Students who have taken a trial advocacy course as part of a clinic may not subsequently enroll in Trial Advocacy. ENROLLMENT LIMIT: 12 students. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option. NOTE: This course counts toward the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT: A student who fails to attend the first class or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, will be administratively dropped from the class. Students who are on the wait list are required to attend the first meeting to be considered for enrollment.
FALL 2024: LAW JD 894 A1 , Sep 3rd to Dec 5th 2024
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 894 A2 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025
Appellate Clinic Seminar 2: LAW JD 945
3 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have applied to and been accepted by the Appellate Clinic. It is a continuation of the companion seminar that clinic students took in the fall to support their client work. The seminar provides substantive and skills-based training that will support your client work. Seminar focuses on the mechanics of written and oral appellate advocacy and the substantive areas of law the clinic is currently litigating. Seminar addresses each stage of the appellate process so that students develop an understanding of how to litigate an appeal from start to finish. In the spring, seminar will focus on later stages of the appellate process including response and reply briefs, oral argument, and filing letters regarding supplemental authority. PRE/CO-REQUISITES: Professional Responsibility. Federal Courts is highly recommended as a pre-requisite or co-requisite, but is not required. NOTE: The Appellate Clinic counts towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
SPRG 2025: LAW JD 945 A1 , Jan 13th to Apr 23rd 2025