Introduction It may come as a surprise to some that a lawyer can, and should, prepare a case for settlement in the same manner as they prepare a case for trial. An attorney’s preparation for trial, including a deep and thorough analysis of the facts, legal issues, and...

Introduction Advocacy goes beyond the courtroom. A good advocate can find themselves negotiating international treaties and making change for the world while still applying many of the concepts we learn in domestic U.S. classrooms. Mastery of material, charismatic...

Introduction In combination with my personal life experiences and my law school experience, I created my own personal definition of an advocate. In my perspective, to be an advocate is of course a legal one. We all have different opinions of what an advocate may be....

Introduction Character Evidence is a difficult evidentiary concept to understand. Federal Rule of Evidence (“FRE”) 404 prohibits the admissibility of character evidence when used to show propensity of a particular conduct.[1]  Propensity means “[a] natural tendency to...

Appellate advocacy has undergone massive change since the founding of the Supreme Court in 1789. In its early years, the Court only required oral advocates to submit brief statements that merely outlined the points of their case.[1] As a result, the Justices listened...

Introduction Often during Mock Trial Competitions, the main focus for areas of growth is based on in-court performances such as opening statements or examinations. However, there are many detailed areas of trial advocacy that can be focused on to elevate performance...

Introduction During tough times, or when we are under a lot of stress, we all lean on mantras or aphorisms to keep ourselves going. One of my favorites is “fake it till you make it.” Statements such as those are meant to remind us of our values and bring us a sense of...

Take Trial Advocacy This past summer, I took Trial Advocacy with Professor Hatcliffe. Unlike most of my other classes, there wasn’t a final. Instead, the class culminated in a mock trial. During the mock trial, Professor Hatcliffe presided as the judge, while the...

Introduction “Feel the rush, break the rules, the thrill kills.” The first line of my opening statement at my first mock trial competition. Well... I certainly felt the rush to say the least! As I stood up to deliver my opening statement, my legs were shaking and I...

As the great Evidence professor Jerome Prince once instructed: “truth, while never simple, is one of society's most essential virtues.” For a trial attorney, cross-examination is universally recognized as the preeminent truth-seeking device. During a...