Intensive Advocacy Program

USF School of Law is proud to announce its seventeenth annual Intensive Advocacy Program. The program will begin on Monday, May 19, 2008 and will conclude on Sunday, June 1, 2008. This unique program allows students to earn three units of academic credit while studying both pre-trial and trial advocacy skills under the guidance of some of the country's most outstanding judges and trial lawyers. The program is held at the School of Law, which is located in an attractive neighborhood of San Francisco close to world-famous Golden Gate Park.

The Program

Building Litigation and Trial Skills

The Intensive Advocacy Program is a two-week intensive course, focusing on litigation and trial techniques and strategies. The IAP brings seasoned lawyers and judges from across the nation to train law students in the art of advocacy.

The exciting program features over 80 hours of lectures, demonstrations, and practice workshops. Topics covered include taking and defending depositions, evidence, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, direct and cross-examination of experts, jury selection, opening statements and closing arguments.

Law students conduct portions of a simulated deposition and trial, receive critique, and review their recorded performances under the guidance of experienced faculty members. Generally, each classroom has eight students and one or two faculty members. Each student is assigned a case file and a problem to use for his or her presentation. The IAP faculty provides lectures and demonstrations, as well as suggestions that will immediately improve the students’ skills.

At the conclusion of the program each student conducts a mock jury trial. The student lawyers work in teams of two and try either a civil or criminal case before a judge and jury. The pressures and challenges of trial practice give students the opportunity to bring together all of the acquired knowledge and skills developed in the various workshops over the course of the program.

The Intensive Advocacy Program is useful for all students, whether you intend to enter the courtroom or not. The purpose of the program is to develop skills in gathering information, marshalling facts, making persuasive arguments, and making real life court appearances. Most importantly, this course teaches students what to expect after graduating from law school and beginning their legal careers.

What to Expect

The workshops at the IAP begin with a lecture, followed by a demonstration and a discussion of the skills that will be learned in the workshop. Generally the workshop will not begin until the next day so that students will have the evening to prepare.

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