Program Overview

Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM)

The Masters of Laws (LLM) in Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, and Alternative Dispute Resolution degree program is designed for practicing attorneys refocusing their careers toward litigation or dispute resolution as well as recent graduates who wish to sharpen the skills developed in a JD or equivalent degree program.

Overview

Crafting an opening statement, studying the evidence, delivering oral arguments, and perfecting these skills can transform an attorney into a great advocate. The program combines lectures, faculty demonstrations, and student presentations, with invaluable experience gained through simulated depositions, jury trials, oral arguments, arbitrations, and mediations.

Curriculum

The program can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or in two years on a part-time basis, with courses offered exclusively on campus. Students must complete a total of 24 credit hours.

Courses

• Required Courses:
  • LAW 293: Advanced Writing for Legal Practice (1-3 hours)
  • LAW 311: Advanced Evidence (2 hours)
  • LAW 518: Advanced Mediation and Courthouse Practicum (1-3 hours)
  • LAW 844: Advanced Trial Practice (3 hours)
• Electives (14-16 hours):
  • LAW 130: Transactional Skills Seminar
  • LAW 166: Education Law Practicum
  • LAW 179: The Law of Jury Selection
  • LAW 184: Advanced Litigation Skills
  • LAW 202: Human Trafficking Seminar
  • LAW 246: Advanced Mediation Advocacy Practicum
  • LAW 277: Intellectual Property Litigation
  • LAW 287: Separation of Powers
  • LAW 290: Advanced Legal Research
  • LAW 301: Police Accountability
  • LAW 325: Conflict of Laws
  • LAW 330: Remedies
  • LAW 329: Access to Justice Practicum
  • LAW 356: Storytelling and Presentation Skills for Lawyers
  • LAW 376: Student Initiated Capstone Project I
  • LAW 404: Client Counseling
  • LAW 406: Mediation Advocacy
  • LAW 411: Trial Practice I
  • LAW 412: Trial Practice II
  • LAW 418: Pre-Trial Litigation
  • LAW 426: Special Education Law and Advocacy
  • LAW 435: Deposition Advocacy Workshop
  • LAW 449: Negotiations Seminar
  • LAW 456: Mediation Seminar
  • LAW 473: Class Actions
  • LAW 483: Federal Tax Clinic I
  • LAW 486: Federal Tax Clinic II
  • LAW 506: Patent Prosecution Seminar
  • LAW 509: Federal Courts
  • LAW 511: London Comparative Advocacy Prgrm
  • LAW 551: Electronic Discovery and Problem Solving
  • LAW 554: Family Law Practicum
  • LAW 556: Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • LAW 572: Special Education Dispute Resolution
  • LAW 573: Terrorism Prosecution: Civil Rights & Executive Power in Theory & Practice
  • LAW 595: Community LawCtr Clinic I
  • LAW 596: Community Law Center Clinic II
  • LAW 602: ChildLaw Trial Practice (Intensive)
  • LAW 606: Legislation and Policy Clinic
  • LAW 615: Child and Family Law Mediation
  • LAW 620: Civitas ChildLaw Clinic
  • LAW 625: Mediation Workshop
  • LAW 729: Health Care Litigation and Medical Malpractice
  • LAW 730: Health Justice Policy Practicum
  • LAW 755: Health Justice Project
  • LAW 757: Advanced Health Justice Project
  • LAW 825: Business Law Center Clinical & Seminar
  • LAW 828: LLM Externship Field Placement
  • LAW 841: Intntl Commercial Arbitration & the CISG

Degree Requirements

To earn an LLM in Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, and Alternative Dispute Resolution, students must complete 24 credits of coursework.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Try a complex case before a court of law in a bench trial and jury trial setting
• Engage in critical case analysis that leads to the development of a persuasive theory of the case
• Conduct challenging witness examinations that adhere to the rules of evidence for direct and cross-examination of lay and expert witnesses
• Develop a communication style that results in the delivery of persuasive opening statements and closing arguments
• Lay the foundation for admissibility for all forms of evidence, including electronic, and make and respond to evidentiary objections
• Analyze and compose a substantial written work of advocacy, including motions, briefs, position papers, and research papers in a complex litigation, appellate setting
• Draft, present, and defend a persuasive written advocacy document in the context of complex litigation at the appellate court setting
• Build upon the fundamentals of mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution venues and assess the dispute resolution process appropriate to the situation
• Assist clients in achieving goals in any dispute resolution setting by analyzing party interests and crafting and designing creative solutions in a mediation or settlement negotiation or employ oral and written advocacy skills in an arbitration setting.