The Summer Trial Academy is an intensive trial advocacy course like no other. It runs for two weeks from Monday August 12th through Friday August 23rd. The class meets in plenary sessions from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday the first week and Monday through Thursday the second week. During these sessions there will be lectures and demonstrations on various trial skills by experience, practicing trial lawyers and judges. We won’t ask you to do anything we’re unwilling to do first.
You will also meet in small groups in the evenings from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The small groups meet Monday through Thursday the first week and Monday through Wednesday the second week. No more than four students and no fewer than two experienced, practicing trial lawyers are assigned to each small group. The sole purpose of the small group is to get you ready for trial on Friday August 23rd – the experienced trial lawyers serving as personal coaches.
You will work with a partner throughout the course. On Friday August 23rd, you and your partner will try a simulated case against two other students before a real judge in the Summit County Common Pleas Courthouse beginning at 8:30 a.m. The trials usually end early afternoon. The entire fall 2019 entering law school class will serve as witnesses and jurors as an integral part of their orientation to law school. After the trials, we will all find a place to gather and celebrate.
What are the advantages of this course?
- You’ll earn 3 credit hours in two weeks.
- You’ll meet and work with 25 or more experience trial lawyers and judges – many of whom are prospective employers.
- You’ll try a case in front of a real judge, in a real courtroom.
- You’ll learn valuable skills.
- This course counts just like Trial Advocacy I toward your litigation certificate.
- This course makes you eligible to take Trial Advocacy II as early as fall 2019.
- “The Roo Award” (a 6” brass Zippy kangaroo statue) is presented to the “best advocate” in each trial to proudly display in your office forever.
There are openings in the class. If you have questions, send email Professor Cole at dkc@uakron.edu or call or text him at (937) 219-1759.