NOVEMBER 5 & 6
6:00-8:15 PM
Room 121
Information about the Competition
The College of Law will send two teams of three people to the Regional Competition, which takes place on Feb. 6-8, 2015 at Creighton. If a team places in the top two at Regionals, the team will compete in the national competition in Houston on March 11-15, 2015. Information about tryouts are at the bottom of this message.
The competition involves performing several mock trials of a criminal case, including preparing direct and cross examinations, opening statements and closing arguments. The trial materials will be distributed in November and preparation will begin immediately. There will be a number of practices in January, some of which will occur on the weekends. The coach is John Jorgensen, who is an attorney with the Lancaster County Public Defender's Office.
Being on the trial team in essence becomes an intense course in advanced trial advocacy that focuses on evidence, theory, theme, strategy and all aspects of a trial. During the practice sessions, the students try the entire case several times.
Each year, students who participate in this event declare that it is one of the highlights of their law school experience. You will receive in-depth feedback on your trial advocacy skills from a well-regarded and experienced practitioner. In addition, during several practice trials and the actual competition you will receive feedback from other practitioners and judges. Employers find the experience valuable because you will finish the program with a head start as a trial lawyer. You will develop numerous Build Your Character skills, such as problem solving, questioning, influencing and advocating, speaking, diligence, and practical judgment. Moreover, you also earn two hours of ungraded academic credit for completing your obligations as a team member. (Note: if you have taken Advanced Trial Advocacy, you may still be on the team but you are ineligible to receive the credits.)
Information about Tryouts
To tryout, you will need to deliver a closing argument from a case you have worked on, either through work, an externship, or a class (such as trial advocacy or evidence). The argument should not be more than 10 minutes long. Having taken trial advocacy is helpful but not absolutely required.
Please sign up for a 15 minute time slot by filling out the form here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuRIS-rP7ZgCdEwzOGthMk01SkhRMTd3Zy10dWcxTkE&usp=sharing
You will need to put your name in a time slot AND put your name and email in the chart below the time slots. You will receive a confirmation email. Please know that by trying out, you consent to having your law school grades released to Mr. Jorgensen, which he may use as part of his selection criteria.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the trial team. I truly hope you take advantage of this great opportunity.
Richard Moberly
Rmoberly2@unl.edu