Mission Statement
Passionate Principled Advocacy. This is the standard to which FIU’s Trial Advocacy Program aspires. We aim to educate. We seek to inspire. We intend to fulfill our promise to bring forth powerful storytellers, courageous advocates, and the professional and community leaders of tomorrow. In our students we instill the core values of super-competence, impeccable integrity, a tireless work ethic, and an understanding not only of the legal mechanics but the human dynamics involved in trying a lawsuit. We accomplish this first by intense, classroom instruction where we focus on fact analysis. Then, in the courtroom, we hone the art of advocacy by doing, and by doing, and by doing – perfectly – because only perfect practice makes perfect. We insist that our students are as ethical as they are effective. Beyond that, we strive to do our part to tender to America the next generation of superb trial lawyers.
Trial Advocacy Course
Trial Practice is an intensive course of study that teaches the legal mechanics and human dynamics of trying a lawsuit. The class incorporates a lecture and performance component. Trial skills taught include developing a case theme and theory, presenting a persuasive opening statement and closing argument, conducting direct and cross examination, introducing exhibits and making objections. Student performances are videotaped weekly and made readily available for review and critique. Instead of a written final exam, each student participates in a mock jury trial before a sitting judge and experienced trial lawyers.
Trial Team
On the trial front, FIU won the Southeast Regional and advanced to the national finals at the 2008 AAJ National Trial Competition and finished as a Semi-Finalist twice at the Zehmer Mock Trial Competition.
Contact
H.T. Smith, Director of the Trial Advocacy Program
RDB 1023, UP Campus,
305.348.7189
smithht@fiu.edu
H. Scott Fingerhut, Assistant Director of the Trial Advocacy Program and Honors College Fellow
RDB 1021, UP Campus,
305.348.3182
fingerhut@fiu.edu