Introduction to Advocacy

This is a course designed to introduce students to the principles of effective advocacy starting with initial client contact. Interviewing, counseling, and advising clients is central to understanding the nature of a conflict and the potential avenues for resolution. Advocacy manifests itself in many different ways ranging from basic communication skills through to formal judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings. It also attracts many aspects of professional and ethical conduct. The course will provide an overview of the various forms of advocacy including a fair bit of ‘learning by doing’. This will include basic public speaking as well as an intensive introduction to the trial process-preparation of a trial theory, opening and closing argument, direct examination and cross examination.