789 Writing: Federal Litigation
This writing and experiential course will provide students with the opportunity to practice several different types of writing used in federal criminal litigation. The students will take on the role of Assistant U.S. Attorneys or criminal defense counsel on a hypothetical criminal investigation and prosecution. The students will follow the case from investigation and indictment through pre-trial proceedings culminating in a mock hearing and related briefing. In addition to writing, the students will have the opportunity to conduct mock witness interviews and practice oral advocacy skills in a mock hearing. This course will be useful for anyone interested in practicing in federal court particularly in the criminal context or pursuing a federal clerkship.
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| Degree Requirements |
JD elective
JD experiential
IntlLLM-SJD-EXC elective
IntlLLM writing
PIPS elective
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Sample Syllabi |
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Spring 2026
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Ryan Christian | ||
This writing and experiential course will provide students with the opportunity to practice several different types of writing used in federal criminal litigation. The students will take on the role of Assistant U.S. Attorneys or criminal defense counsel on a hypothetical criminal investigation and prosecution. The students will follow the case from investigation and indictment through pre-trial proceedings culminating in a mock hearing and related briefing. In addition to writing, the students will have the opportunity to conduct mock witness interviews and practice oral advocacy skills in a mock hearing. This course will be useful for anyone interested in practicing in federal court particularly in the criminal context or pursuing a federal clerkship. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Fall 2024
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Melissa Hanson | ||
This writing and experiential course will provide students with the opportunity to practice several different types of persuasive writing used in federal litigation. The students will work on a hypothetical case involving an employment discrimination matter. The students will follow the case from the administrative agency level, to the filing of a complaint in federal court, through the discovery process, and culminating in the filing and arguing of a motion for summary judgment. In addition to writing, the students will have the opportunity to interview a client and a witness and to practice their oral advocacy skills in a mock meeting with a partner and a mock hearing. This course will be useful for anyone interested in practicing in federal court and/or pursuing a federal clerkship at the trial court level. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Fall 2022
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Melissa Hanson | ||
This writing and experiential course will provide students with the opportunity to practice several different types of persuasive writing used in federal litigation. The students will work on a hypothetical case involving an employment discrimination matter. The students will follow the case from the administrative agency level, to the filing of a complaint in federal court, through the discovery process, and culminating in the filing and arguing of a motion for summary judgment. In addition to writing, the students will have the opportunity to interview a client and a witness and to practice their oral advocacy skills in a mock meeting with a partner and a mock hearing. This course will be useful for anyone interested in practicing in federal court and/or pursuing a federal clerkship at the trial court level. Syllabus: 789-01-Fall2022-syllabus.pdf235.57 KB Degree RequirementsPre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Fall 2021
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Melissa Hanson | ||
Persuasive writing is integral to almost all aspects of civil litigation. This two-credit hour advanced experiential course will allow you to deepen your understanding of legal research while honing your written and oral advocacy skills. Using a simulated case, you will plan litigation strategy by interviewing a client, preparing a factual chronology of the case, and analyzing the merits of the claims. You will also practice drafting and responding to discovery requests and preparing to take and defend depositions. Finally, you will draft a motion for summary judgment and supporting memorandum of law and argue the merits of the motion in a mock oral argument. Degree RequirementsPre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Fall 2020
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Sarah C. W. Baker | ||
Persuasive writing is integral to almost all aspects of civil litigation. This two-credit hour advanced experiential course will allow you to deepen your understanding of legal research while honing your written and oral advocacy skills. Using a simulated case, you will plan litigation strategy by interviewing a client, preparing a factual chronology of the case, and analyzing the merits of the claims. Finally, you will draft a motion for summary judgment and supporting memorandum of law. For Fall 2020, Prof. Baker’s course will be offered virtually, with some opportunities for in-person interaction, such as office hours or conferences. The class offers numerous opportunities for peer interaction and review of work (virtually), as well as numerous opportunities for professor feedback on work. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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| 789.02 | 2 |
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Melissa Hanson | ||
Persuasive writing is integral to almost all aspects of civil litigation. This two-credit hour advanced experiential course will allow you to deepen your understanding of legal research while honing your written and oral advocacy skills. Using a simulated case, you will plan litigation strategy by interviewing a client, preparing a factual chronology of the case, and analyzing the merits of the claims. You will also practice drafting and responding to discovery requests and preparing to take and defend depositions. Finally, you will draft a motion for summary judgment and supporting memorandum of law and argue the merits of the motion in a mock oral argument. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Spring 2020
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Melissa Hanson | ||
Persuasive writing is integral to almost all aspects of civil litigation. This two-credit hour advanced experiential course will allow you to deepen your understanding of legal research while honing your written and oral advocacy skills. Using a simulated case, you will plan litigation strategy by interviewing a client, preparing a factual chronology of the case, and analyzing the merits of the claims. You will also practice drafting and responding to discovery requests and preparing to take and defend depositions. Finally, you will draft a motion for summary judgment and supporting memorandum of law and argue the merits of the motion in a mock oral argument. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Spring 2018
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Sarah C. W. Baker | ||
This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn several different types of persuasive writing used in federal litigation. The course will focus on one hypothetical matter involving federal law. Priority in registering for this course is given to J.D. students, specifically those who have not yet fulfilled the upper-level writing requirements. LLM students are allowed to enroll if fewer than fourteen J.D. students enroll. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Spring 2017
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 |
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Sarah C. W. Baker | ||
This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn several different types of persuasive writing used in federal litigation. The course will focus on one hypothetical matter involving federal law. Priority in registering for this course is given to J.D. students, specifically those who have not yet fulfilled the upper-level writing requirements. LLM students are allowed to enroll if fewer than fourteen J.D. students enroll. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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Spring 2016
| Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789.01 | 2 | Sarah C. W. Baker | |||
This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn several different types of persuasive writing used in federal litigation. The course will focus on one hypothetical matter involving federal law. Syllabus: 789.01.Spring2016-syllabus.docx22.28 KB Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
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