Course Syllabus
Textbook:
Trials Strategy, Skills, and the New Powers of Persuasion, Thomas A. Mauet Second Edition
Case Studies: BMI v. Minicom Farrell v. Strong Line, Inc. Cranbrooke v. Intellex Syllabus:
This course is intended to prepare each student for civil trial practice. The courtroom practice will be in the McCoy courtroom on campus. The courtroom practice will include all phases of trial for each of the three case studies. If everyone in the class agrees, we may practice on additional cases. There will be no final exam. Attendance is mandatory, and grades will be based on preparation and performance. We will plan to use all of the time allowed so that we can avoid having a make-up class on Saturday. The tentative schedule is:
Jan. 19
Assignment: Mauet, Chapters 1-3 (First Class) Lecture on campus
Jan. 26
Assignment: Mauet, Chapter 4, Opening Statements Prepare voir dire examination and opening statements, Farrell v. Strong Line Practice: voir dire and opening statements, Farrell v. Strong Line
Feb. 2
Assignment: Mauet, Chapter 5, Direct Examination Prepare direct examination, Farrell v. Strong Line Important personal points Key theme bullet points Key equity issues Key legal issues Anticipated objections Practice: direct examination, Farrell v. Strong Line
Feb. 9
Assignment: Mauet, Chapter 6, Cross-Examination Prepare cross-examination, Farrell v. Strong Line Agreement points for theme issues, equity issues, and legal issues. Impeachment points for credibility, theme issues, equity issues, and legal issues. Set ups. Practice: cross-examination, Farrell v. Strong Line
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Feb. 16
Assignment: Mauet, Chapter 7, Exhibits and Visual Aids Prepare exhibits and visual aids to use, Farrell v. Strong Line Practice: exhibits and visual aids, Farrell v. Strong Line
Feb. 23
Assignment: Mauet, Chapter 8, Experts Prepare experts Prepare checklists for direct and cross of each expert in Farrell case Practice: experts, Farrell v. Strong Line
Mar. 1
Assignment: Mauet, Chapter 9, Closing Arguments Prepare closing arguments Practice: closing arguments, Farrell v. Strong Line
Mar. 8
Assignment: Mauet, Chapter 10, Evidentiary Objections Prepare evidentiary objection arguments Study materials in Crabbrook v Intellex and prepare charge based on Texas law Practice: evidentiary objections, Farrell v. Strong Line;
Mar. 22
Assignment: Prepare voir dire and opening statements in Cranbrooke v. Intellex Practice: voir dire and opening statements, Cranbrooke v. Intellex
Mar. 29
Assignment: Prepare direct and cross-examination in Cranbrooke v. Intellex Add checklists for each witness after examination Practice: direct and cross-examination in Cranbrooke v. Intellex
Apr. 5
Assignment: Prepare jury charge, objections and final argument in Cranbrooke v. Intellex Study materials in BMI and prepare charge based on Texas law Practice: jury charge, objections and final argument in Cranbrooke v. Intellex;
Apr. 12
Assignment: Prepare Motion in Limine, voir dire and opening statements in BMI v. Minicom Practice: pre-trial conference, Motion in Limine, voir dire, and opening statements in BMI v. Minicom
Apr. 19
Assignment: Prepare direct and cross-examinations in BMI v. Minicom Prepare checklists for each witness after examinations Practice: direct and cross-examinations in BMI v. Minicom
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Apr. 26
Assignment: Prepare court charge and final argument in BMI v. Minicom Practice: charge conference and final argument in BMI v. Minicom
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