Lawyers/Law Students - Should i take Trial Advocacy?

[aphex]

So the time has finally come, my last semester of law school. The one class i've dreaded my whole time here was Trial Advocacy (a.k.a. Trial Ad), a class in which they train you how to be a trial lawyer. The final "exam" for the semester is a 4 hour full mock trial in which your skills are put to the test. The reason i dread the class is that i dislike public speaking. I can do it, have done so in other classes and been fine at it, i just don't particularly like public speaking. On the other hand, its a very good pratical class in which you really learn how to "act like a lawyer" before, during, and after trial.

Now, my dilemma is this. Stetson is well known for its Trial Ad program, so much so that we are currently ranked #1 in the nation in this particular area by US News and World Report. Not taking the class, I might feel as if i missed out on an excellent program. In conflict with this however is my desire for an easy last semester with some nice GPA boosters (Trial Ad can easily hurt your GPA) and bar prep courses. I technically only need 11 credits to graduate and this class isn't required, nor is it tested on the bar (though the evidenciary rules we learned in evidence are practiced in it). The time the class is offered also sucks, Monday and Wednesday 10-Noon. Normally, this wouldnt be a problem, but Monday i only have one other class, 6-9pm, which gives me a 6 hour break between classes (sucks) and wednesday Trial Ad would be my only class. Combined with the fact that i live nearly an hour away and would have to forgo 2 days of work for this class, its a hard decision to make.

Taking all that into account, and considering I would much rather be a transactional lawyer, what do you think I should do?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I loved Trial Ad and Advanced Trial Ad, but I wanted to be, and am, a trial lawyer. Personally I would probably go for it - it can't possibly hurt your GPA by a really meaningful amount, and it's not that much work. At a minimum it will force you to practice some public speaking, which is always helpful for a lawyer, even if he's not a litigator.

 

[DainBramaged]

Personally, I think you should go for it as far as the academic thing goes. You just have to decide how much taking it will interfer with your "real" life.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Personally, I think you should go for it as far as the academic thing goes. You just have to decide how much taking it will interfer with your "real" life.

Well the only real "interference" per say would be the commute, and the fact that I wouldn't be able to clerk at the firm I work at those two days. Not a huge deal, but with my gas bill ~ $250/mo during the semester and missing a few days of work, it makes a diff.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Personally, I think you should go for it as far as the academic thing goes. You just have to decide how much taking it will interfer with your "real" life.

Well the only real "interference" per say would be the commute, and the fact that I wouldn't be able to clerk at the firm I work at those two days. Not a huge deal, but with my gas bill ~ $250/mo during the semester and missing a few days of work, it makes a diff.

If you already have a job, why are you worried about the very slight impact this might have on your GPA?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Personally, I think you should go for it as far as the academic thing goes. You just have to decide how much taking it will interfer with your "real" life.

Well the only real "interference" per say would be the commute, and the fact that I wouldn't be able to clerk at the firm I work at those two days. Not a huge deal, but with my gas bill ~ $250/mo during the semester and missing a few days of work, it makes a diff.

If you already have a job, why are you worried about the very slight impact this might have on your GPA?

Its not a job I really have much of a future with, i clerk for a sole practitioner.

 

[CptObvious]

I never took Trial Ad, thinking I would only do transactional work, but I ended up doing litigation. In retrospect I think it's a good idea - who knows, you may want to expand your practice in the future.

 

[ElFenix]

if you've never done anything like that, you should take it. i was basically lead for some complex litigation my whole last year of law school, so i don't think i needed it so much.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I think I'd take the class. Sacrifices that you make now when it doesn't really affect your final career choice may pay off later.

 

[chambersc]

YGPM. Didn't know there was anyone going to Stetson on here (closest I knew of was UF).

 

[everman]

I would, but I actually like public speaking when I know what I'm talking about.