
Trial Advocacy Division Selection
All non-graduating students are invited to try out for the Trial Advocacy Division during the spring semester.
The selection process will consist of a competition during which students will be asked to draft and deliver an opening statement and a cross examination based on a portion of a trial record. Competitors will be judged by current members of the Trial Advocacy Division. Judges will be looking for competitors to manifest a basic familiarity with the content and purpose of an opening statement and cross examination, as well as the ability to articulate with confidence. Competitors are not expected to know the rules of evidence; however, judges may raise an objection to test quick thinking and poise under pressure. Further, students are not required to have materials memorized, but minimal reliance on paper will be rewarded. Opening statements should be limited to five minutes in length, cross examinations no more than ten.
To be clear, there is no writing component of the Trial Advocacy Division selection process; scores will be based entirely o n the try-out performance. Also, students are not precluded from trying out because they were not selected in prior years—1L’s, 1P’s, 2L’s, 2P’s, 3P’s and other non-graduating students will be considered.
Additional details on the competition will be included in a memorandum accompanying the trial record—available one week prior to competition as indicated below.
Important Dates for the Spring 2007 Selection Process
February 13, 2007
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Trial Techniques Session
Current members of Trial Advocacy will perform opening statements and cross-examinations as well as answer questions and share experiences on the Trial Advocacy Division.
February 22 and 23, 2007
9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Competition Packets Available
All competing students sign up for the first round of competition and pick up the competition packet (information memo and the trial record) at the Moot Court office at One Boerum Place.
March 1-3, 2007
9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
First Round of Competition
Competitors will be assigned a single date and time to perform their opening statement and cross examination. Witnesses will be supplied.
March 6-8, 2007
9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Second Round of Competition
Late April, 2007
New members will be announced following the Appellate Division selections. Students selected to both divisions will be given the option to complete in both or select a preference.
For more information about the Trial Advocacy Division Selection Process, please contact Philip DePaul, Trial Advocacy Coordinator at philip.depaul@brooklaw.edu.
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