Appellate Advocacy

Course Information

Registration Information

Meeting Times

Day Time Location
THU 4:15 - 7:05 pm TNH 2.123

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
Other

Description

This three-hour course teaches advanced, judge-centered, Texas Supreme Court jurisprudence-driven appellate advocacy. Students represent an assigned party in a hypothetical case that progresses from final judgment in the trial court, through the court of appeals, to the Supreme Court of Texas. The class focuses on instilling the best possible judgment in the identification, development,  and presentation of winning legal arguments via brief writing and oral argument. Lectures teach specific oral and written advocacy techniques and principles, infused with perspectives of leading appellate practitioners and members of  the appellate judiciary, using real world examples. Students are graded on their application of these techniques and principles to the hypothetical case. Students must complete all assignments to receive credit. Major assignments include a brief in a Texas court of appeals, a petition for review in the Supreme Court of Texas, and multiple oral arguments. The course also touches on appellate procedure, ethics, mandamus practice, and the identification, development, and presentation of winning legal arguments in trial courts. The class meets once each week. There is no midterm and no final exam.

Textbooks ( * denotes required )

The Bluebook : A Uniform System of Citation *
Harvard Law Review Association
Harvard Law Review Association
ISBN: 978-0-578-66615-0
Texas Rules of Form: The Greenbook 14th ed. (2018) *
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF LAW
edition: 14
ISBN: 978-1-878674-10-4

Instructors

Headshot of Roach, Robert M. Jr. Roach, Robert M. Jr.
Headshot of Schumacher, Amy J. Schumacher, Amy J.
Headshot of Campbell, David J. Campbell, David J.
Headshot of Livingston, Dana Livingston, Dana
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Important Class Changes

Date Updated
08/22/2022 Room(s) changed
07/06/2022 Instructor(s) updated
05/27/2022 Instructor(s) updated
03/30/2022 Wait List procedure updated
03/30/2022 Experiential credit changed