Intensive Advocacy Program

The Intensive Advocacy Program (IAP) 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.

This exciting program features more than 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 provide 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.

Program Dates 

The 2013 session will take place from May 20 to June 2, 2013.

Eligibility

Students who have satisfactorily completed one year of study at an accredited law school are eligible to enroll. Students must also have completed a course in evidence.

Credit and Grades

The Intensive Advocacy Program is offered as part of the fully accredited curriculum of the University of San Francisco School of Law. Participants receive three units of credit. The program is offered on a credit/no credit basis. If a student's home school requires a letter grade, this can be arranged on an individual basis. The program complies with ABA requirements.

Tuition 

Tuition information for the 2013 program will be posted as soon as it is available.

The tuition for the 2012 program was as follows:
JD - $4530 ($1510 per unit)
LLM - $5070 ($1690 per unit)
$100 materials fee

Deposits, Payments, and Refunds

Enrollment is limited and applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. All students must submit a non-refundable $150 deposit fee. This should be a check or money order made payable to: USF School of Law. Non-USF students must also submit a $50 non-refundable application fee to cover processing (same instructions apply). Deposit fees are required to secure a place in the program and will be applied to tuition.

The University of San Francisco reserves the right to cancel the program, in case of emergency or under-enrollment. To date, the program has never been cancelled. In the event of such cancellation, all payments will be refunded. 

Applications

Applications for current USF students are available here. Please complete and submit them along with the $150 non-refundable deposit fee* (check or money order made payable to: USF School of Law) to the Faculty Services Office (Kendrick 300) or mail to the address below.

Visiting Students:

Students from ABA accredited law schools are required to have their home schools provide a letter of good standing indicating permission to enroll in IAP before registration will be permitted. If your school requires that IAP issues a letter grade, that must be stipulated in that letter. Members of the bar are required to present their bar card.

Applications for non-USF students are available here.  In addition to the application and letter of good standing, visiting students are required to submit a personal data form. 

Please complete and mail all necessary items along with the $150 non-refundable deposit fee* and a separate $50 application fee (checks or money orders; both made payable to: USF School of Law) to the following address:

Intensive Advocacy Program
University of San Francisco School of Law
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

The Application deadline is 4/8/2013.

* Deposit fee is required at application to secure a place in the program.

Financial Aid

Students enrolled in the IAP program may or may not qualify for financial aid. Please note that if an enrolled student does not qualify for financial aid, s/he will be required to pay tuition in full by the May 1, 2013 deadline.

Summer financial aid information for USF students is available here.

Financial aid information for visiting students is available here.

Deadlines

Deadline for Applications: 4/8/2013
Priority deadline for financial aid (USF Students): 4/1/2013
Deadline for tuition: 5/1/2013
Last day to drop and receive a refund (not including the $150 non-refundable deposit): 5/13/2013
Last day to withdraw with a W, no refund: 6/2/2013

Awards

The following awards are presented in conjunction with the Intensive Advocacy Program: the Edward J. McFetridge Award for excellence in advocacy, the John L. Brennan Award for creativity and innovation in advocacy, and the Director's Award for excellence in advocacy skills. The McFetridge and Brennan awards are endowed in memory of alumni of the USF School of Law and are designated for IAP participants enrolled at USF. The Director's Award is presented to the outstanding advocate from a school other than USF. The McFetridge award winner receives $1,250, the Brennan Award winner $500, and the Director's Awards winner $500.

The amount of the award will be credited to the recipient’s USF Student Account for the Summer 2013 term. It will apply to any charges of tuition and fees for the Summer 2013 term.  Any excess funds will be sent to the recipient by direct deposit or by check via postal service. In the event that the recipient has been awarded the maximum allowed financial aid for the 2012-2013 academic year prior to receiving this award, a financial aid adjustment will be made to the account, reducing loans received by the amount of the award, thereby reducing recipient’s overall loan obligation.  

Student Testimonials

One of the best decisions I made during my law school career was to participate in the Intensive Advocacy Program at USF.  IAP provides an invaluable opportunity to any law student whether they aspire to be a trial attorney or simply desire to improve their public speaking skills.  For two full weeks I was surrounded by some of the best trial attorneys and judges from across the nation.  In a small classroom setting, I received hands-on training from the experts and learned by doing.  In addition, these experts provided me with constant constructive feedback throughout those 14 days.  I walked away from IAP knowing how to create a theory of a case, to depose a witness, to hone case strategy, to prepare a witness for testimony, to conduct voir-dire, to create compelling opening statements and closing arguments, and how to properly and effectively examine and cross-examine witnesses on the stand.  While it will take years for me to become an expert in the art of trial advocacy, I know that IAP has prepared me to hit the ground running in any legal setting and will set me apart from my peers.  I highly recommend this program to all law students.
- Leslie Fales

When I asked a former IAP participant whether or not I should apply for the program, the only reaction I got was "Do it!" I have to say, after finishing, I completely understand why former participants were so emphatic about IAP. This was by far the best experience of my law school career. This class embodied hands on learning, with the students on our feet doing drills and workshops implementing what we had learned from short lectures. This was about learning through doing, something most law school classes don't offer.

Was it tough? Yes, because we were doing things many of us had never done before. Was it grueling? Yes, because two weeks of 8-9 hour days of learning, plus prep for the next day, was a tonof work. Was it worth it? Absolutely, without reservation, yes. Learning from trial attorney faculty, some of whom have been trial attorneys for over 40 years, was an immeasurable learning and networking opportunity.  In addition, these experts provided me with constant constructive feedback throughout those 14 days. In groups of 6 and 8, we learned how to direct and cross examine witnesses, depose a party, and develop a trial theory. This experience is one I will proudly highlight on my resume and in any interview I have. The only thing I can say to anyone thinking about doing IAP is to just DO IT!!!            
- Cassandra Jenecke 

Participating in the two-week IAP course was definitely one of the highlights of my law school experience. Think about it: when in the course of your career will you have the opportunity to have attorneys from around the country critique your trial techniques for a full two weeks? IAP provides that and more! In most cases, the prospect of performing in front of a group of professionals would spark anxiety to say the least. However, working with fellow students in the program helps to take away much of the apprehension that one might feel. In fact, practicing new trial techniques in front of the group was fun and enjoyable! IAP taught me the skills I need to begin a career in the courtroom. I recommend the course to all students
- Richard K. Owen

2011 Faculty