This is the basic trial skills course covering Opening Statement, Direct Examination, Cross Examination, Impeachment, Exhibits, Expert Witnesses and Closing Argument. In sections of 12 students per section, students prepare and perform the various skills using simulated problems and case files. After each performance, students receive constructive comments from faculty members who are also experienced trial lawyers. Students also get videotapes of their performances. The course ends with a full jury trial of a civil or criminal case with teams of two students on each side. At the end of the trial, the jury deliberates and students are able to watch the jury as it deliberates.

In the Fall, the class lasts the full semester. Usually only one section is offered in the Fall.

In the Spring, the class begins with a three-day Intensive Session in January and finishes before Spring Break. Students planning to take the course in the Spring should check the academic calendar for the date of the Intensive Session. No student may take the course in the Spring unless he or she can attend the entire Intensive Session. Five sections are offered in the Spring.

Students must have taken Evidence prior to taking this course.

Sections/Instructors

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2013
Sakai Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2013
Sakai Site

Professor Marietta Robinson
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2013
Sakai Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2013
Sakai Site

Michael Dockterman
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2013
Sakai Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2012
Sakai Site

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2012
E-mail List • Sakai Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2012
E-mail List • Sakai Site

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2012
E-mail List • Sakai Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2012
E-mail List • Sakai Site

Michael Dockterman
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2012
E-mail List • Sakai Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2010
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

J. Donald Cowan, Jr.
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2010
E-mail List

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2010
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2010
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2010
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.01
Spring 2010
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

J. Donald Cowan, Jr.
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

J. Donald Cowan, Jr.
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

J. Donald Cowan, Jr.
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2006

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2006

Sandra L. Johnson
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2006

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2006
Download: Course Information

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2006

Donald H. Beskind, Mark Martin
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2006

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2005
Download: Course Information

J. Donald Cowan, Jr.
Trial Practice 420.07
Spring 2005

Sandra L. Johnson, William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2005

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2005

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2005

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2005

J. Donald Cowan, Jr.
Trial Practice 420.07
Spring 2004

Sandra L. Johnson
Trial Practice 420.06
Spring 2004

William S. Mills
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2004

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2004

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2004

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2004

Thomas K. Maher
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2003

Sandra L. Johnson
Trial Practice 420.04
Spring 2003

James C. Fuller
Trial Practice 420.03
Spring 2003

J. Donald Cowan, Jr.
Trial Practice 420.02
Spring 2003

Charles L. Becton
Trial Practice 420.01
Spring 2003

Donald H. Beskind
Trial Practice 420.01
Fall 2002

Elizabeth F. Kuniholm
Trial Practice 420.05
Spring 2002