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Trial Practice
Hon. Janis M Berry, Hon. Michael Bolden, Hon. Angel Kelley Brown, Ms. Page Kelly,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening. Judge Giles: The operative word for this course is "practice":
students in this class, which is capped at 20, will have at least bi-weekly opportunities to get up
on their feet and perform the fundamental skills of a trial, including opening statements, direct
and cross examination, introducing exhibits, and closing arguments. Each performance will be
critiqued by the course's instructor, a trial judge with over thirty years of experience in trying and
presiding over cases in the trial courts of Massachusetts. By the end of the semester, the students
will have acquired enough trial lawyering proficiency to be able to try their first cases, either
civil or criminal, in any jurisdiction. A student's grade will be based half on his/her performance
during exercises throughout the semester (and improvement thereon) and half on his/her
performance in a final mock trial at the end of the course. Students also are required to view at
least two of his/her videotaped exercises and submit a brief self-critique. Judge Nolan: In Hon.
Joseph Nolan's class, his text book in use - Trial Practice - Nolan
The focus is on having each student participate in various phases of a trial. Students will be
asked to select a jury, make an opening statement, conduct a direct cross-examination, examine
an expert, and give a closing statement. Classes consist of short lectures on each topic followed
by student participation based on fact situations in Mauet & Wolfish, Materials in Trial
Advocacy. Students are required to read about each phase of a trial in Mauet, Trial Techniques,
5th Edition. Evidence is helpful but not a prerequisite. There is no paper. Grades are based upon
evaluation of students as they conduct phases of a trial. Because of the heavy emphasis on
student participation, enrollment is limited. Enrollments will vary by Professor
Prerequisite: Evidence helpful. Students may not also enroll in Trial Advocacy or Trial
Evidence courses.
Elective Course
Meets Skills Menu Requirement
Meets Civil Litigation Concentration Requirements