|
|
| Q. |
What
are the required course materials? |
| A. |
Readings are
also assigned from the current edition of Aldisert, Ruggero,
Winning on Appeal. Students are required to follow the
citation format outlined in the current edition of A Uniform
System of Citation.
|
| Q. |
What
factors are considered in grading briefs? |
| A. |
The
following factors are considered in grading briefs:
- persuasiveness of argument
- effective presentation of facts
- originality of the legal
argument
- quality of the legal research
(Students are expected to research beyond the authorities
cited in the Record on Appeal)
- quality of writing (grammar,
sentence structure, clarity, precision, etc.)
- adherence to rules in A Uniform
System of Citation
- adherence to procedural rules,
including timeliness of submissions.
|
| Q. |
Why
are students required to argue off-brief? |
| A. |
Students
may be asked to argue off brief. This provides an
opportunity for the students to assess the strengths and
weaknesses of the adversary's argument, an essential oral advocacy
skill.
|
| Q. |
What
types of argument will satisfy the Oral Argument Attendance
requirement? |
| A. |
Each
student is required to attend an oral argument before any state or
federal appellate court.
|
| Q. |
What
are the brief requirements? |
| A. |
The final
brief must be not fewer than ten pages and not more than twenty
pages. Count only the statement (or counterstatement) of the
procedural history, statement (or counterstatement) of the facts,
argument and conclusion towards this limit. Professors will
not consider pages beyond the maximum limit. The brief must
be organized into the following sections:
- Cover Page
- Table of Contents
- Table of Authorities
- Statement of Subject Matter and
Appellate Jurisdiction
- Question/s Presented
- Statement
of the case
- Statement of Facts (including citation to Record)
- Summary of the argument
- Argument (including Point
Headings)
- Conclusion (including signature
line and signature)
|
| Q. |
When
are the final graded rounds of oral argument? |
| A. |
Historically,
the graded oral argument weekend is held the weekend before
Thanksgiving, subject to room availability. Appellate Advocacy students
are assigned to argue on one of the two days. During the
spring and summer semesters, the graded oral arguments are generally
done on the last day of class.
|
