Area of Study in Advocacy
Prepare for a career in litigation with an area of study in advocacy. Our courses will give you a broad background in pretrial and discovery, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution. You may focus in trial advocacy, appellate advocacy, or both. Additionally, you will learn the legal theory necessary to make critical decisions regarding the legal landscape in which you will represent clients.
To receive an Area of Study in Advocacy, you must complete each the following courses with a grade of B- or higher.
Required
- Lawyering Skills IV (which covers all written discovery devices, complaint drafting, affidavits, and depositions)
- Trial Advocacy
- Federal Jurisdiction, Conflict of Laws, or Remedies (choose at least one)
- Appellate Advocacy, Advanced Appellate Advocacy (competing on a moot court team), Advanced Trial Advocacy, Mediation, or Trial Team (choose two)
Electives (choose two courses totaling a minimum of 3 credits)
- Appellate Advocacy
- Advanced Appellate Advocacy (competing on a moot court team)
- Advanced Trial Advocacy
- Mediation
- Trial Team
An audited course cannot be used to satisfy an area of study requirement.
More on the Advocacy Area of Study
“Advocacy is the heart of what we do as lawyers. We advocate. Whether representing a client in court, drafting a contract for a client, or testifying before a governmental body, our job is to advocate for the client.”
— Professor Scott E. Thompson
“For any law student focused on advocacy, I highly recommend pursuing one or more externships in a judge’s chambers. Working for a trial or appellate judge provides an invaluable perspective on what does and does not constitute effective advocacy.”
— Ben Walton, Alumnus