Trial Advocacy Program
After I graduated from law school and participated in a one year clerkship with a federal district court judge in Atlanta, I began my legal career as a prosecutor in the District Attorney's Office here in Birmingham. After five years and more than seventy jury trials in the DA's office, I moved over to the federal side of prosecution as an assistant United States attorney in the Northern District of Alabama. In four years as a federal prosecutor I received the two highest awards that the Department of Justice gives for performance as a trial attorney, the 2001 Director's Award and the 2004 John Marshall Award. The Marshall Award came as a result of the successful prosecution of the last of those responsible for the 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Since coming to Cumberland School of Law in 2002, my goal has been to make our trial advocacy program the finest in the United States. It is my sincere belief that we have accomplished that goal, as we are simply doing things here in terms of realistic jury trial training that no other law school in the country is doing. In terms of classes, the entry-level course is our Basic Skills in Trial Advocacy. Here we familiarize students with all the components of the jury trial, with an emphasis on exceptional demonstrations by skilled local attorneys, followed by extensive hands-on exercises by the students (my theory is that students learn best by first seeing something done well, then doing it themselves). Those students who want to "go to the next level" in terms of their trial ability are encouraged to apply for our Advanced Trial Skills class. Enrollment is limited to twelve students, with selection based on merit. The advanced course is the ultimate in realistic trial skills training. Students are introduced to the use of technology in presenting a case to the jury in our brand new, state-of-the-art trial courtroom. Everything we do in the course is done in the most realistic manner possible, including such innovations as using real child witnesses, doing direct and cross examinations of actual expert witnesses, and the extensive use of video review of student performances. The course culminates in the trial of a complex case involving the use of technology to present evidence with actual law enforcement agents and forensic chemists as witnesses, all tried before an experienced federal judge and a jury of local citizens. Another advantage Cumberland School of Law has in producing exceptional trial attorneys is its externship program. Because of its location in a major metropolitan area, students have the opportunity to enhance their advocacy skills through real-world practice with externships in various prosecutor's offices, legal services programs, judge’s chambers, and numerous other positions. The final component of Cumberland School of Law's advocacy training is our exceptional trial competition program. Beginning at the end of the first-year, students are able to compete in various school trial competitions, as well as try out for the school's highly successful trial teams. These teams represent the law school at trial competitions throughout the country. This past year, 2009–10, Cumberland School of Law yet again started strong, with teams taking the top places at two regional round competitions. The first regional round win came at the National Trial Competition in Tallahassee, Florida, and the second regional win came at the American Association for Justice (AAJ) National Student Trial Advocacy Competition in Dallas, Texas. The 2010–11 academic year is proving to be another strong and exciting year for national intercollegiate law school competitions. As of March 8, 2011, the law school has already received ten regional and national top ten placements and two awards for professionalism and ethics. If you have any questions regarding the law school's trial advocacy program, please do not hesitate to contact me or Professor Young, the director of the Center for Advocacy and Clinical Education. Good luck in making your decision and best wishes in your future as an attorney. Sincerely, Don Cochran • Read more about trial law in the law school's online viewbook.
Page last updated: Wed, 02/29/2012 - 15:50 |
Thank you for your interest in Samford University's Cumberland School of Law and specifically for your interest in our trial advocacy program. I teach trial advocacy courses and wanted to take a moment of your time to tell you about myself and the program.