Introduction to Trial Advocacy: The Elements of Trial - Student Version

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Each user must register individually as they will need their own login to access the program.

Introduction to Trial Advocacy is a complete lecture series on trial advocacy developed by Spencer Pahlke, Robert Little, and Elizabeth Fraley (faculty at Berkeley and Baylor law). Based on the book, The Elements of Trial by Rick Friedman and Bill Cummings, this series builds on decades of courtroom and teaching experience to ready new lawyers for trial by guiding them through preparing and trying a sample case. The core concept is this: We learn to try cases best by doing. The course pairs easily digestible videos with fact patterns and accompanying advocacy/evidence drills.

By completing this unique program, students will be able to:

• Understand and effectively apply procedural and substantive legal principles in the courtroom
• Demonstrate effective advocacy skills before the trier of fact
• Exercise professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession
• Use the law to solve real-world problems.

A professor, instructor, or practitioner can use this lecture series to help students or new associates get up to speed on how to try a case, and on their feet to practice new skills. This version is prepared for use by students, for more information about using this program in your law firm, university, or high school please click here.

The following materials are provided in this version:

• Video lectures and transcripts: The lectures range in length from 4 to 20 minutes. Transcripts of the videos are included with timestamps to make it easy for students to re-watch as needed. 

• Fact patterns: There are both civil (Pearson v. Quick-Time Movers, Inc.) and criminal (State v. Bell) fact patterns. Depending on whether you are focused on civil or criminal practice in your class, they are intertwined with each class of the course.  

• Evidence and advocacy drills: As you move through the course, you will be doing both advocacy drills and evidence drills based on your fact pattern.  

The Elements of Trial book is available to purchasers of this program at the new lawyer price of $45. You will receive a coupon code via email to purchase the book at said discount. 

Special thanks to senior contributor Nicholas Cotter who provided editorial and creative contributions.