LL.M. in the Teaching of Advocacy

Academic Requirements

Applicants for the LL.M. in the Teaching of Advocacy must have high academic qualifications, a first degree in law and a satisfactory command of the English language. Candidates for the LL.M. must successfully complete at least 24 semester hours of graded credit over a period of two semesters, consisting of course work and the preparation of a masters thesis, with a cumulative grade point average in course work of not less than 2.67 (on a 4.0 scale).

Curriculum

The curriculum of the LL.M. in the Teaching of Advocacy consists of the following required and elective courses. Required courses marked with an asterisk can be waived in the discretion of the Director of the Advocacy Program in consultation with the Thesis Supervisor if the candidate has taken an equivalent course in law school or has practice experience that makes waiver appropriate.

Required Courses

Appellate and International Advocacy*3 units
Trial Preparation and Advocacy*3 units
Alternative Dispute Resolution* 2 units
LL.M. Legal Process*3 units
Evidence*5 units
Comparative Law Perspectives*2-3 units
Seminar on the Teaching of Advocacy4 units
  
Masters Thesis 3-6 units

The thesis requirement will be satisfied by research and scholarship on some aspect of advocacy or comparative advocacy and/or development of a syllabus and course materials for teaching of an advocacy course or courses. The number of units earned for completion of the Masters Thesis will depend on the scope of the thesis project and will be within the discretion of the Director of the Advocacy Program in consultation with the Thesis Supervisor.

Elective Courses

Appellate and International Advocacy Honors Board3 units
Advanced Trial Advocacy3 units
Mediation2 units
Negotiations and Settlement Seminar2 units
Judicial Arbitration Practice3 units
Civil Pretrial Litigation2 units
Criminal Pretrial Litigation2 units
Criminal Procedure 3 units
Advanced Criminal Procedure2 or 3 units
Sentencing and Post-Conviction Remedies2 units
Complex Civil Litigation2 or 3 units
Comparative Criminal Law and Procedure3 units
Conflict of Laws3 units
Federal Courts2 or 3 units
Expert and Scientific Evidence2 units
Computer-Assisted Litigation 2 units
Professional Responsibility2 units
Civil Practice Clinic and Seminar4 + 2 units
Parole Representation Clinic3 units
Criminal Justice Legal Foundation Intern Clinic 3 units
Other Approved Off-Campus Clinics3 units

Other elective courses may be taken with the approval of the Advocacy Committee or its delegee. Course descriptions for the Seminar on the Teaching of Advocacy and the Masters Thesis are attached.

Course Title: Seminar on the Teaching of Advocacy

Units: 4 units for year-long course.

Enrollment Limit: 15

Course Description: Required for students enrolled in the L.L.M. in the Teaching of Advocacy program. This course will introduce students to the teaching of advocacy as practiced in a broad spectrum of dispute resolution contexts, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, trial and appeal. Students will work with simulated case files to develop skills in advocacy and the teaching of advocacy in each of these dispute resolution forums. As a practice requirement of the course, each student will also participate as a workshop leader or teaching assistant in an appellate advocacy, trial advocacy or alternative dispute resolution course.

Course Title: Masters Thesis for LL.M. in the Teaching of Advocacy

Units: 3-6

Required for students enrolled in the LL.M. in the Teaching of Advocacy program. Under the supervision of a Thesis Supervisor, each LL.M. degree candidate will prepare a scholarly paper on some aspect of advocacy or comparative advocacy and/or develop a syllabus and course materials for teaching an advocacy course or courses. The number of units earned for completion of the Masters Thesis will depend on the scope of the thesis project and will be within the discretion of the Director of the Advocacy Program in consultation with the Thesis Supervisor.