Trial Advocacy

The Program

The Trial Advocacy program facilitates law students' training in oral advocacy, courtroom procedures, trial practices and techniques, and trial competition performance. This is accomplished through an integrated program that works closely with the law school's faculty, administration, and legal practitioners. The program's advisor is Chief Judge Dee Benson. The program serves students at all levels of their legal education.

Bylaws of BYU Trial Advocacy

Orrin G. Hatch Distinguished Trial Lawyer Lecture Series

October 26-27, 2007

This is an excellent opportunity to meet and learn from some of the nation's best trial attorneys. The lecture series is free to law students.

2007 Program and Speaker Bios

First-Year Students

Being a Witness

First-year law students can initially become involved in the Trial Advocacy Program by acting as witnesses for the Trial Advocacy Team's annual inter-team competition. As witnesses, law students will work closely with experienced Trial Advocacy team members and are trained in not only how to be an effective witness, but also how to develop a persuasive strategy in order to present winning cases before judge and jury. Witnesses will also have a first-hand opportunity to observe some of the most talented and skilled law students in the nation competing against each other. All law students are afforded the opportunity to become witnesses and can secure their spot as one by signing up at the Trial Advocacy Booth during club week.

Woody Deem Competition

During the winter semester, first-year law students can participate in the annual Woody Deem Trial Competition. The competition is organized into teams of two. Each team member will: (1) present either an opening or closing statement; (2) direct-examine one witness, and (3) cross-examine one witness. Judges score the competitors performances. Workshops are organized and provided by the Trial Advocacy Team's Director of Skills Training for all law students wishing to refine their skills before the competition. Also, Trial advocacy team members act as personal mentors for every team participating in the Woody Deem Competition. The Woody Deem Competition is open to all students who are not currently Trial Advocacy Team Members, including seond and third-year students. Invitations to join the Trial Advocacy Team are based upon students' performances during the Woody Deem Competition.

Second & Third-Year Students

Inter-Team Competition

Students who are invited onto the Trial Advocacy Team will compete in the fall semester against other team members. The competition is organized by the Directors of the Inter-Team Competition. Judges for this competition are largely judges and justices in the local area. Some practioners and faculty also serve as judges. Scores from this competition determine who makes the Trial Advocacy National Team, which will travel to various competitions in the winter semester. Students may elect to register for 1 credit hour each semester for their participation on the Trial Advocacy Team.

Trial Advocacy National Team

Students who perform well in the Inter-team Competition are invited to travel with the National Team. Trial Advocacy currently sends teams to two annual national competitions: Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), and the National Trial Competition. Teams consist generally of two or three competitors and a coach. Locations for these competitions vary, but the team frequently travels to the East (e.g., Washington D.C., Pennsylvania), the Northwest (e.g., Oregon), and the Southwest (e.g., New Mexico).

Workshop Requirement

Besides competiting, Trial Advocacy Team members are required to attend at least two workshops each semester. Workshops are organized by the Team's Director of Skills Training and include on-hands training in virtually every aspect of trial advocacy. Prominent practioners and judges also frequently attend workshops to offer valuable insight and feedback to attendees.

Mentoring

The final requirement for Trial Advocacy Team members is the mentoring program which transpires during the winter semester. Each Trial Advocacy Team member is assigned one or two Woody Deem Competition teams and is required to assist these teams in preparing for the competition.