Appellate Practice

LAW9298
Section 1, Fall 24

Schedule Information

Enrollment: 18/18
Credits: 3
Days Time Room Start Date End Date

Fri

 		1400-1600 WB121 08/30/2024 11/22/2024

Course Description

This course will focus on appellate advocacy through a classroom discussion and workshop approach. We will cover the appellate advocacy process in both theory and practice, from threshold appellate issues and preservation; standards of review; judicial decision making; the elements of a persuasive brief; preparing for and delivering an effective oral argument; and drafting an opinion.

Course Requirements

Exam Information

Final Type (if any): None

Description: None

Written Work Product

Writing and advocacy exercises will be drawn from three cases recently certified by a federal district court for interlocutory appellate review. Each student will be assigned to a group (A, B, or C), and each student will be responsible for briefing one case and judging the others. In certain sessions, we’ll workshop short writing assignments relating to these cases. In certain sessions, class members will provide short “reaction reports” on a pending Supreme Court case; The instructor will post a list in Canvas so that each student can sign up for a case and a particular class session. Students will have two short final written assignments, each due via EXPO by noon on December 18, 2024: A summary of argument in your assigned case (not to exceed 1000 words), and an opinion in your choice of one of the other two cases (not to exceed 3000 words).

Other Work

Grading will be based on in-class performance (30%), written assignments (40%), and moot court advocacy and judging (30%). We’ll conclude the semester with moot courts in the assigned cases in which students will participate as advocates and judges.

Other Course Details

Prerequisites: Because the credits in this course count toward the JD Program Professional Skills requirement, JD candidates will be given enrollment priority for this class. Concurrencies: None

Exclusive With: Appellate Litigation Clinic (YR) (8603)

Laptops Allowed: Yes

First Day Attendance Required: Yes

Course Resources: To be announced.

Course Notes: This is a participatory class. Attendance is mandatory, and enthusiastic and respectful participation is a vital element of the experience.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfies Understanding Bias/Racism/Cross-Cultural Competency requirement: No

Satisfies Writing Requirement: No

Credits For Prof. Skills Requirement: Yes

Satisfies Professional Ethics: No

Additional Course Information

Schedule No.: 124817990

Modified Type: Simulation

Cross Listed: No

Waitlist Count: 0

Concentrations: Litigation and Procedure

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Opens: Thursday, November 21, 12:01 AM

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Closes: Friday, December 06, 11:59 PM

Information reflected on this page was last refreshed at: Friday, January 24, 2025 - 7:04 AM *

*During open enrollment periods, live enrollment data may be found in SIS.