Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

Evidence is a pre-requisite for this seminar. Class attendance, including the first class, is required.

The class focuses on developing trial skills and actually practicing trial techniques, including making effective opening statements and closing arguments, introducing evidence, conducting effective direct and cross examinations, and objecting to witnesses' testimony or the introduction of evidence. Lecturing is kept to a minimum; the emphasis during class time is on students performing simulated trial exercises, which are critiqued by the professor. When they are not performing, students are the jurors for their class colleagues. In lieu of a final exam, the semester culminates with the students in teams conducting a full-scale jury trial at one of the courthouses downtown. Party and expert witnesses for class and trials, as well as the judge and jury at the trials, are recruited by the professor. On the premise that participants in this class want to acquire professional-level skills, active, committed participation is expected by everyone.