About the Trial Advocacy Program
The Trial Advocacy program provides comprehensive training in the strategies and techniques required to be a successful trial lawyer. Through courses, clinical opportunities, and a strong internal and national competition program, students gain the skills to persuasively advocate for their clients.
We also have award opportunities for students who demonstrate a passion and commitment to trial advocacy.
Courses
UW Law offers a variety of courses aimed at preparing students to work in trial advocacy. Designed by seasoned attorneys, our comprehensive program equips students with the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to excel in the courtroom.
Clinics
Designed and run by fulltime faculty who are experienced attorneys, our comprehensive Clinic program provides students with real-world legal experience assisting clients and communities.
Competitions
The Moot Court Honor Board (MCHB) provides students with a variety of advocacy skills through brief-writing and competition opportunities.
- In-house competitions are available to all students and give them the opportunity to participate and learn from mock trial, contract negotiation, and appellate advocacy competitions.
- National and international competition teams are selected through a competitive application process and give students the opportunity to compete against teams from around the world on a focused area of the law.
Details about competitions can be found on the Moot Court Honor Board website.
NY Bar National Moot Court Competition, Region 14
We look forward to welcoming competitors from Arizona State, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Seattle University to this competition Nov. 16–17, 2024.
Questions about the competition can be directed to Carolyn Kennedy at trialad@uw.edu.
We want to thank our sponsors: Foster Garvey; Christensen, O’Connor, Johnson, Kindness; and Summit Law Group.
Trial Advocacy Award Opportunities
Thanks to generous donors, students have unique opportunities to highlight their advocacy skills and earn award money at the same time.
- Miracle Opening Statement Competition
An annual prize for the best opening statement made by a student.
- Coughenour Mock Trial Competition
An annual award for the Best Oral Advocate. Qualification for this award is based on participation in the Hugh Miracle Award. The top four vote getters from that award will be eligible to participate in the mock trial competition hosted by Judge Coughenour.
- McMillan
Judge McMillan played a vital role in ending the era of Jim Crow laws & practices and held a deep and abiding commitment to the principal of equal justice for all. Applicants will submit a paper stating their interest in trial work, activities related to trial work to date, and the importance of and changes needed to provide equity in our justice system.
- MacGillivray
The John D. MacGillivray Memorial Scholarship is awarded to third year students who demonstrate excellence, leadership, commitment and impact in their coursework and activities related to trial advocacy.
- Dwyer
The Judge William L. Dwyer Jury Project competition asks students to submit an essay related to the American jury system and show, among other things, their commitment to individual rights, appreciation for challenging cases, concern for access to legal services, and enthusiasm for the right to a trial by jury.
Ways to get involved
Many aspects of the trial advocacy program have opportunities for involvement by our legal community. If you are interested in getting involved with any of the options below, please reach out to trialad@uw.edu.
- Competition Judge
We hold 3 in-house competitions each year (negotiation, mock trial, appellate advocacy) and look for attorneys and judges in our community to be judges for the event.
- Competition Coach
We have several teams that participate in outside competitions, mock-trial, moot court, and a Voir Dire competition. We appreciate local practitioners who have time to help the students prepare for their competitions.
- Trial Advocacy award judge
We have 3 written trial advocacy awards that we need people to assess and vote on. We also have an opening statement competition and need judges to assess the top presentations.
- Trial Advocacy Instructor
We look to have a diverse group of experienced affiliate instructors to help students learn how to be effective advocates. In this role, practitioners have the opportunity to work with another attorney or judge as a team supporting a small group of Trial Advocacy students working on that week’s skill (i.e. opening statement, closing argument, direct/cross examination etc.).
Trial Advocacy News
