Loyola Law School
Trial Advocacy
Spring 2006
Professor Cecil Lynn
Tuesday Afternoons
2:50 p.m.-5:50 p.m.
Syllabus and Policies
(Revised January 30, 2006)
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to teach the fundamental trial skills necessary to conduct a
jury or a court trial. The course emphasizes students’ participation and performance in
different parts of trial proceedings. The students will learn proper courtroom etiquette
and decorum, the different stages of trial, and how to conduct themselves properly in
each of these stages.
Each student is expected to participate in pre-trial motions, preparation of a trial
notebook, selection of jury, development of themes for and delivery of opening
statement, direct examination, cross examination of witnesses, preparation for and
delivery of closing arguments.
Required Text and Materials:
Trial Techniques, Thomas A. Mauet, 6th Ed.
Materials in Trial Advocacy, Thomas A. Mauet and Warren D. Wolfson, 5th Ed.
Strongly Recommended Companion Materials:
Federal Rules of Evidence with Objections, Anthony Bochino, 6th Ed.
Evidence Handbook, Steven Goode and Olin Guy Wellborn III, 5th Ed.
Class Attendance
Since the class focuses on preparing the students for the reality of trial proceedings, class
participation and attendance are absolutely necessary. Only in a clearly necessary
situation will absences be permitted. Absenteeism will adversely impact a student’s
grade. Students are expected to be on-time and prepared to meaningfully contribute to
each class.
Examinations and Grading
The course grade will be based 45% on class participation. All students are expected to
come to class having read the assigned materials and prepared to participate, not only in
performance of their assigned problems, but also in discussion and performance of other
roles necessary for the problems (e.g., witnesses). The class participation grade will
reflect the amount and quality of each student’s preparation and participation in class.
The mock trial grade will be based 45% on the student’s degree of preparation and the
extent to which the student’s performance evidences improvement of skills that were the
subject of earlier class sessions.
The remaining 10% will be based on the completion of two written trial critiques. Each
student is required to critique trial skills observed outside the classroom environment.
While actual trial advocacy critiques are preferred (e.g., a trial, court hearing, or
administrative hearing), one critique may be based on observation of a trial scene from a
film, television episode, or a selection from Loyola’s video library. Each critique shall be
at least one single-spaced typed pages. A writing with manipulated (or large) fonts,
spacing or margins shall not meet the critique requirement.
There will be no end of term paper or final examination.
Office Hours
Professor Lynn does not have on-campus office hours. Students may contact him via
email at cecil.lynn@lls.edu. He will return emails as soon as practicable.
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Date Class Assignment and Participation
January Lecture on trial structure and communication skills
10 Read Chapters I, II, and XI of Trial Techniques (Mauet)
Problem 9.1
January Lecture on Trial Notebook, pretrial matters and voir dire
17 Practice Voir Dire
Read Batson v. Kentucky 476 U.S. 79 and People v. Wheeler 22 Cal.3d 258;
Read Chapters III & XII of Trial Techniques (Mauet)
Problem 1.1
January Continue practice on Voir Dire; Lecture on Opening Statements; Read
24 Chapter IV of Trial Techniques (Mauet)
Problem 9.3
January Read Chapter V and VII of Trial Techniques (Mauet)
31 Continue with Opening Statements (Problem 9.6)
Lecture on Direct Examination and Cross Examination
February Reach Chapters VI of Trial Techniques (Mauet)
7 Lecture on Exhibits/Practice Direct and Cross Examination
Problem 9.1
Direct and Cross of Karen Adams
Direct and Cross of Darlene Williams
Direct and Cross of Kelly Jackson
Direct and Cross of Kevin Flannigan
Direct and Cross of Pat Curran
February Read Chapter X of Trial Techniques (Mauet) and
14 Chapter V of Materials in Trial Advocacy Problems and Cases (Workbook)
Lecture on Objections, Impeachment and Rehabilitation
Problems in Chapter V of Workbook
Impeachment and Rehabilitation Exercises
February Continue practice of Direct Examination and Cross Examination
21 (Problem 9.6)
Direct and Cross of Eddie Felton
Direct and Cross of Fred Martin
Direct and Cross of Thomas Connor
Direct and Cross of Merle Rausch
Direct and Cross of Frank Williams
Problems 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.14, 4.16,
February Read Chapter VIII of Trial Techniques (Mauet)
28 Lecture on Witness Prep and Expert Witnesses
Problems 6.4, 6.6, and 6.9
March 7 Read Chapter IX of Trial Techniques (Mauet)
Lecture on Closing Argument
Practice Closing Arguments (9.1)
March 14 Practice Closing Arguments (9.6)
Introduction to Flinders Aluminum v. Mismo Insurance Co.
March 21 Spring Break
March 28 Flinders Aluminum v. Mismo Insurance Co. Case Analysis, Motions in
Limine, Pretrial Issues
April 4 Mock Trial
April 11 Mock Trial
April 18 Mock Trial