LAW 7053 - Advanced Trial Practice

Institution:

Villanova University

Subject:

Description:

Description: PREREQUISITES: Trial Practice (7050) and Evidence (7024) This course is taught in three different sections; Advanced Trial Practice Civil /The David E. Worby Course Advanced Trial Practice Criminal Advanced Trial Practice Criminal and Civil each section with a unique approach to the subject. Course descriptions for each of the different sections are below. The David E. Worby course in Advanced Trial Practice Course is designed to build on the skills learned in the basic Trial Practice course. The focus of the course will be on developing case theory and strategy, and implementing them through specific assignments involving more sophisticated skills in a civil case. The course will focus specifically on: 1.Voir Dire 2. Preparation of a witness 3. Interrogation of a witness on a complex factual pattern 4. Preparation and examination of expert witnesses. Examples of experts receiving attention are: a. Medical Expert b. Engineer or Scientist c. Economist and/or Accountant 5. Demonstrative Evidence: How graphs, models, computer- generated graphics, and other techniques are employed today in court 6. Damages: The proof and persuasion involved in establishing damages 7. Opening and Closing Addresses to Jury and/or Judge in complex cases. Experienced Trial Attorneys and other experts will join the class in discussing the preparation of witnesses and exhibits in various disciplines, and to demonstrate specific trial techniques. Students who are accepted into the course must review the entire case file and become fully familiar with it at the beginning of the semester. Note Special Scheduling: The schedule doubles up classes most weeks in January, February, and March. Classes end at least one month before the semester ends so that students have adequate time to prepare for the final trial, which requires extensive preparation, before they are into the exam period. The final grade will be based on the student's performance at the trial (which is a full day during a weekend at the end of March and beginning of April), and attendance, preparation, and performance throughout the semester. Advanced Trial Practice, Criminal. This course in Advanced Trial Practice is designed to build on the skills learned in the basic Trial Practice course. It is team-taught by lawyers with experience in trying federal criminal cases. The focus of the course is on sharpening trial skills with respect to a single criminal case. In the first three-quarters of the course, students practice opening statements; direct and cross examination of fact witnesses, an expert witness, and the defendant; and closing arguments. For those exercises, students alternately represent the prosecution and the defense and take turns acting as witnesses. In the final quarter of the course, each student does a complete trial of the case. In the last class before the trials begin, the prosecutors and defense lawyers meet in separate groups to discuss trial strategy; each discussion is led by an instructor. Throughout the course, but especially in the final trials, the emphasis is on developing a theory of the case and building opening and closing statements around a theme that expresses that theory. Students who are accepted into the course must review the entire case file and become fully familiar with it at the beginning of the semester. Students are required to attend two trials: their own and one at which they act as witnesses. The final class is a critique of the trials. The final grade will be based on the student's performance at the trial and attendance, preparation, and performance throughout the semester. Advanced Trial Practice, Civil and Criminal. Advanced Trial Practice is a unique opportunity for students to enhance the fundamental trial advocacy skills learned in Trial Practice and to learn more advanced advocacy techniques. This section of Advanced Trial Practice is taught by The Honorable Juan R. Sanchez. The course is designed to shar

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.villanova.edu

Phone Number:

(610) 519-4500

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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