Trial & Appellate Advocacy Certificate of Concentration

Trial & Appellate Advocacy Certificate of Concentration

Students who wish to become litigators receive specialized practical training to prepare for careers in litigation, civil and/or criminal trial and appellate work, or dispute resolution. A wide range of courses enables students to learn and demonstrate competencies in writing, appellate and trial advocacy, evidence, trial preparation and conduct, alternative dispute resolution, negotiation, and counseling and representation of clients.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume. This application should be submitted at your earliest stages of planning, and in no case may be submitted after the Add/Drop Deadline of your final law school term. The Faculty Director will schedule a meeting with the applicant if required.

Requirements & Curriculum

Students must complete the Core and required Elective Courses listed below. A minimum of 14 total credits is required, in addition to Evidence and GLS III, which are required of all students. 

In addition to the one required Elective course from each of the three Elective categories below (Pretrial, ADR, and Capstone), which will total at least six (6) credits, the student may choose courses from any of the four Elective sections to accumulate the 14-credit minimum.

Note that not all courses are offered every year. Students should plan their curriculum with this in mind, checking the Academic Schedule for the coming year and for the year thereafter (see, e.g., the projection of courses for 2020-21 (pdf))1

With prior written approval, the Concentration Director may vary the requirements of the program in individual cases for good cause.

14 units minimum required for completion of Concentration (plus GLS III and Evidence)
CORE COURSES
LAW 136Global Lawyering Skills III3
LAW 812Trial Advocacy & Evidence Skills (required)3
Clinic or Externship with a substantial litigation or ADR focus (advance written approval from the Concentration Director is required). Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar, with its associated Clinic, may be used to meet both (a) the Clinic or Externship requirement and (b) either Pretrial Advocacy or Alternative Dispute Resolution. The student must complete both semesters. 3
ELECTIVE COURSES - PRETRIAL ADVOCACY (complete at least one course)
LAW 804Criminal Pretrial Litigation2
LAW 809Civil Pretrial Litigation2
LAW 821Taking and Defending Depositions2
LAW 824Written Discovery2
LAW 895Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar2
ELECTIVE COURSES - ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (complete one course)
LAW 308Art of Plea Bargaining2
LAW 526Mediation3
LAW 631International Negotiations2
LAW 689International Arbitration3
LAW 802Negotiation and Settlements Seminar2 or 3
LAW 826Negotiating Disputes Into Deals1
LAW 895Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar2
LAW 909Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic (May be used to meet both (a) the Clinic or Externship Requirement and (2) the Alternative Dispute Resolution requirement.)3
ELECTIVE COURSES - OTHER LITIGATION-RELATED (optional)
LAW 209Local Agency Practice2
LAW 400Advanced Criminal Procedure2
LAW 410White Collar Crime2
LAW 415Criminal Law Defenses2
LAW 433Employment Law3
LAW 635Transnational Litigation3
LAW 699AKJury Selection2-3
LAW 699EEExpert Testimony Using Technology2-3
LAW 706Persuasive Public Speaking2
LAW 882California Parole Hearings and Litigation1
If a student finds a course added or returning to the Schedule that may qualify as an "Other Litigation-Related Elective" (e.g., Federal Courts), the student may apply to the Director for use of that course towards the Concentration requirements.
LAW 969Mock Trial Evidence I and II1

Questions?

Professor Dan Croxall, Director of the Trial & Appellate Advocacy Certificate of Concentration: dcroxall@pacific.edu | 916.340.6177