The course is a practical introduction to courtroom advocacy. Students will be exposed to examples of various types of advocates and advocacy techniques and problems found in leading cases, trial transcripts, novels, plays, films, and biographies of advocates. Much of the course is devoted to practical exercises.

Main Topics

Essential qualities and skills of advocates
Advocacy as the art of persuasion
The problems of advocacy: ethics and misconduct
Preparation for trial
Case theory
Evidentiary and procedural issues in practice
Opening and closing addresses
Examination-in-chief and objections
Cross-examination
The use of written and oral submissions
Sentences
Appeals