Public Speaking for Lawyers

Lawyers are professional speakers. We advocate, advise, negotiate, explain, question, persuade, and lead through spoken communication, yet few courses in law school actually develop those skills. Public Speaking For Lawyers seeks to fill that gap. This weekly seminar blends classical rhetoric, cognitive psychology, theatre principles, and legal advocacy to train students how to master the art of effective communication. This course isn't just for future litigators; I designed it with the shy, introverted lawyer in mind because many pivotal advocacy moments do not happen in the courtroom, but in a boardroom or even on the telephone. The ability to express an argument (or an idea) with confidence and clarity can make all the difference, and that skill can be learned. Assignments range from memorizing a poem to performing a cinematic closing statement, from handling an oral argument to delivering an original advocacy speech. The course culminates in a capstone oral performance and written reflection paper. Because of the ongoing practical component, the class size is necessarily capped.