What You Will Experience
Each participant is assigned to write a brief for either an appellant or an appellee. This is not a research exercise; a short list of case authorities is provided, along with a record of proceedings. Briefs are limited to 15 pages. A model appellant’s brief is provided for those assigned to write an appellee’s brief. All briefs are due by April 25, 2011. The pre-selected case, taken from an actual appellate proceeding, involves a police officer fired for allegedly making discriminatory comments during a traffic stop and whether the officer’s due-process liberty interests in clearing his name were violated.
Each participant’s brief is sent to a faculty member for review before the participant arrives in Chicago. At the National Appellate Practice Institute, a private critique session takes place between each participant and the faculty member who reviewed the participant’s brief.
Each participant will also present an oral argument to three faculty members – a federal judge, a state judge, and a seasoned attorney. The faculty members will then provide immediate feedback and a constructive critique of the participant’s oral argument.
Every participant will also be assigned to a workshop consisting of no more than 12 participants. The workshop will be led by the three faculty members who heard the participants’ oral arguments. During the workshop sessions, the faculty will discuss common pitfalls related to the briefs and arguments of the participants, as well as address areas of interest determined by the participant. The workshops are designed for direct give-and-take between each participants and members of the faculty.
You will learn:
- How to address key issues in your brief
- What judges expect from your oral arguments
- How to structure and organize your appellate advocacy.
The advice is designed to be practical.
All participants will also take part in several plenary sessions led by high-profile judges and practitioners focusing on key issues in the appellate process.
Special Bonus Features for Participants
Model Oral Argument
A long-time favorite for participants in the National Appellate Practice Institute is the model oral argument, involving nationally known appellate practitioners who argue the same case assigned to the participants. The program includes the advocates’ and judges’ insights and expectations before the argument; the actual argument; and a judges’ conference after the argument.
Social Time
In addition to the educational benefits to be gained from interaction with the distinguished faculty, participants will have many opportunities to interact with the faculty and other participants in a social setting. Not only will this enable participants to continue the discussions begun in the program sessions, but it will also provide participants with a great opportunity to network and develop professional camaraderie with practicing attorneys from across the nation.
