Activity
Time:
National Trial Team Tryouts for 2L & 3L Students
Date:
5:30 pm –
8:30 pm
McCollum Hall
Room: Welpton Courtroom
1875 N 42nd St
Lincoln NE 68503
Lincoln NE 68503
Additional Info: LAW
Contact:
Professor Steven Schmidt, sschmidt4@unl.edu
Calling all 2Ls and 3Ls: Tryouts for the National Trial Team are October 20th and 21st. Sign up here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k2DA-WuVy2A2KyYSWe1ohOFLLCIzssk5/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115861528749206892981&rtpof=true&sd=true) and continue reading for more information about the tryouts, information about the competition itself, and a note from Professor Steve Schmidt - the team’s coach.
Information about Tryouts
To tryout, prepare to deliver a closing argument from a case you have worked on, either through work, an externship, or a class (such as trial advocacy or evidence). The argument should not be more than 10 minutes long. Having taken Trial Advocacy is helpful but not required. Tryouts will be held in fifteen minute increments on the following two dates:
October 20 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
October 21 from 8:30am – 10:30am
October 26 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Please sign up for a 15 minute time slot. You will need to put your name in a time slot AND put your name and email in the chart below the time slots. You will receive a confirmation email.
A Note from the Coach:
Dear 2Ls and 3Ls:
I am writing to invite you to try out for the College of Law’s National Trial Team. This year we have room for even more students to participate. We will compete with two teams of three students and four student witnesses. The Regional Competition will be held on February 18-20, 2022 and is being hosted this year by University of Minnesota Law School. It has not yet been determined whether it will be held in person or remotely. If one of our teams places within the top two at Regionals, that team will compete in the national competition in Fort Worth, Texas on March 30 – April 3, 2022. Currently, the national competition is scheduled to occur in person.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the trial team. I truly hope you take advantage of this valuable, exciting opportunity.
Steve
Information about the Competition:
The competition involves conducting several rounds of mock trials where our teams compete against teams from other law schools. This year, the problem is a criminal case. As a participant, you would prepare and conduct pretrial motions, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. The trial materials will be distributed in November and our preparation will begin immediately. Once the problem has been released, we’ll begin having Zoom practices – including over the break. Once we return in January, we’ll begin holding practices in-person at times convenient to the coaches and participants. Professor Schmidt and Adjunct Professor Carolyn Bosn are the coaches. Participation as a member of the trial team is equivalent to participating in an intense advanced trial advocacy course. During our preparation and competitions, we will focus on evidentiary issues, theory, theme, strategy and every aspect of a jury trial. During our preparation, we will try the entire case several times. As a member of the National Trial Team, you will receive in-depth feedback on your advocacy skills from well-regarded and experienced practitioners – attorneys and judges. Additionally, you will develop numerous lawyering skills, such as problem solving, questioning, influencing and advocating, speaking, strategic planning, creativity, diligence, and practical judgment. Finally, attorney and witness participants can earn two hours of ungraded academic credit – with a third credit available for the students on the team that advances to the National Competition. Past participants routinely describe their experience as a member of the National Trial Team as one of the highlights of their law school experience. You can find out more about the competition here (https://tyla.org/ntc/).
Information about Tryouts
To tryout, prepare to deliver a closing argument from a case you have worked on, either through work, an externship, or a class (such as trial advocacy or evidence). The argument should not be more than 10 minutes long. Having taken Trial Advocacy is helpful but not required. Tryouts will be held in fifteen minute increments on the following two dates:
October 20 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
October 21 from 8:30am – 10:30am
October 26 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Please sign up for a 15 minute time slot. You will need to put your name in a time slot AND put your name and email in the chart below the time slots. You will receive a confirmation email.
A Note from the Coach:
Dear 2Ls and 3Ls:
I am writing to invite you to try out for the College of Law’s National Trial Team. This year we have room for even more students to participate. We will compete with two teams of three students and four student witnesses. The Regional Competition will be held on February 18-20, 2022 and is being hosted this year by University of Minnesota Law School. It has not yet been determined whether it will be held in person or remotely. If one of our teams places within the top two at Regionals, that team will compete in the national competition in Fort Worth, Texas on March 30 – April 3, 2022. Currently, the national competition is scheduled to occur in person.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the trial team. I truly hope you take advantage of this valuable, exciting opportunity.
Steve
Information about the Competition:
The competition involves conducting several rounds of mock trials where our teams compete against teams from other law schools. This year, the problem is a criminal case. As a participant, you would prepare and conduct pretrial motions, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. The trial materials will be distributed in November and our preparation will begin immediately. Once the problem has been released, we’ll begin having Zoom practices – including over the break. Once we return in January, we’ll begin holding practices in-person at times convenient to the coaches and participants. Professor Schmidt and Adjunct Professor Carolyn Bosn are the coaches. Participation as a member of the trial team is equivalent to participating in an intense advanced trial advocacy course. During our preparation and competitions, we will focus on evidentiary issues, theory, theme, strategy and every aspect of a jury trial. During our preparation, we will try the entire case several times. As a member of the National Trial Team, you will receive in-depth feedback on your advocacy skills from well-regarded and experienced practitioners – attorneys and judges. Additionally, you will develop numerous lawyering skills, such as problem solving, questioning, influencing and advocating, speaking, strategic planning, creativity, diligence, and practical judgment. Finally, attorney and witness participants can earn two hours of ungraded academic credit – with a third credit available for the students on the team that advances to the National Competition. Past participants routinely describe their experience as a member of the National Trial Team as one of the highlights of their law school experience. You can find out more about the competition here (https://tyla.org/ntc/).