Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute?
A: The Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute (“TPI”) is a comprehensive set of programs aimed at bridging legal education with the practice of trial law in real-world settings. A rigorous, two-year certificate program, available to select MSU Law students, is the central component to the Institute. In addition, the Institute offers annual conferences, lecture series, training seminars for students and attorneys to gain additional knowledge and trial advocacy skills.
Q: What is the Trial Practice Certificate Program?
A: It is a two-year program, available to select MSU Law students, with an intense and focused curriculum designed to teach the fundamental concepts of litigation and enhance trial skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a Certificate in Trial Practice.
Q: Who can apply to the certificate program?
A: Any student in good academic standing may apply to the program. Students must complete at least 24 credits before beginning the program. Priority is placed on scheduling classes in the evening; however, there is no guarantee when classes will be taught so students must be available to take day or night classes as they are scheduled.
Q: Does this mean part-time students are eligible to participate?
A: Absolutely, provided they will complete 24 credits before beginning the program, are in good academic standing, and are available to take classes as they are scheduled in the day or evening.
Q: What about transfer students?
A: Students transferring into MSU College of Law are encouraged to apply. However, application deadlines and interviews are in the Spring term of students’ first year in law school. Transfer students are encouraged to apply and interview even if they have not yet been admitted into MSU College of Law. But your admission into the program will be contingent upon your admission into MSU College of Law.
Q: Who are the faculty members?
A: The faculty is comprised of both government and private attorneys specializing in criminal and civil litigation. Each of the faculty members has over twenty years of trial practice experience.
Q: When do I apply to the Program?
A: Applications are available on our website (http://www.law.msu.edu/tpi) and are accepted beginning January of each year. Interviews are held in February. Be sure to check the TPI website or application for specific deadlines.
Q: What does the application process consist of?
A: Students are required to complete an application and attach a current resume and a one-page statement outlining their long range professional goals and purpose in applying to the program.
Q: What are the admission selection criteria?
A: Students must be in good academic standing. Decisions are made based on applications, resumes, statements of purpose, personal interviews, and students’ interest and aptitude for litigation.
Q: Is the selection process competitive?
A: Yes. Approximately four times as many students apply for the thirty-two (32) positions available each year.
Q: Who decides which students are selected into the certificate program?
A: The TPI Admissions Committee is made up of TPI faculty and administrators.
Q: Are there any scholarships available for students in the TPI certificate program?
A: Yes. The Bernard J. Fieger Scholarship is available to the most promising student in the TPI entering class, and the Walter E. Oberer Scholarship is available to the TPI continuing student who has exhibited the most stellar trial advocacy skills. Each of these scholarships covers up to 29 credits of tuition. Full time students must use the scholarship in the subsequent academic year; part-time students must use the scholarship within the following two academic years.
Q: What classes are required? Are there any suggested electives?
A: There are eight required classes and one lab: Pre-Trial I (3 credits); Pre-Trial II (2 credits); Trial I(3 credits); Trial II(3 credits); Advocacy as a Performing Art(1 credit); Forensic Science(2 credits); Administrative Law(3 credits); Criminal Procedure(3 credits); and the Courtroom Technology Lab (zero credit). In addition, students are encouraged to gain practical litigation experience through the MSUCL clinical programs, an externship or a summer internship.
Q: Are there any additional (non-class) requirements?
A: Yes. Students are required to attend all TPI sponsored events and maintain professional dress and decorum. Lawyers are professionals and the Trial Practice Institute aims to train students to be great lawyers. As such, students in the Trial Practice Program are expected to dress and act like professionals during all TPI classes and sponsored events.
Q: I understand that there are required classes. Can I choose which semester to take these classes?
A: Unfortunately, no. The TPI curriculum was designed with a systematic learning objective. Students are required to take each class in sequence and as scheduled.
Q: Can I be enrolled in more than one certificate and/or concentration program?
A: Absolutely. There is no restriction on the number of certificate and/or concentration programs you may pursue. However, each student must meet the individual requirements for each program.
Q: If I am admitted into the certificate program, can I still participate in other extracurricular activities, such as Law Review or Moot Court?
A: Yes. Many of the TPI students are active in Law Review, Moot Court, and the MSUCL clinical programs. In addition, TPI students are eligible to compete in national mock trial competitions. Obviously each student needs to assume the requisite time and commitments for each activity. Otherwise, there are no limitations or restrictions on participating in more than one program.
Q: Does the program focus on criminal or civil trial practice?
A: The program provides students exposure to both criminal and civil trial practice, and extensive training in basic litigation skills that are transferable to any trial practice area.
Q: Are there any networking opportunities?
A: Absolutely. The TPI program regularly exposes students to practicing attorneys, sitting judges and alum. In some instances, you will have the opportunity to work closely with them as they volunteer as guest lecturers, coaches, and competition judges. It is your responsibility to build a rapport with these attorneys and judges.
Q: Does the Institute offer trial practice seminars or conferences?
A: Yes. The Trial Practice Institute hosts an annual lecture series with prominent attorneys and judges. TPI students are expected to attend these lectures. In addition, the Institute hosts conferences on the latest developments in trial practice and training seminars for new attorneys. The TPI offers discounted rates for students and strongly encourages them to attend.
Q: Will I have the opportunity to participate in mock trial competitions?
A: Yes. All students in their second year in the program will participate in both a criminal and civil mock trial as part of their substantive coursework. During these trials, students compete against their classmates, and we make every effort to bring in sitting judges to judge the trials and members of the community to act as witnesses and jurors. In addition, a select number of TPI students will have the opportunity to represent MSU Law at national mock trial competitions held throughout the United States.
Q: Will I learn about new advancements in courtroom technology and electronic evidence?
A: Yes. Because courts are using advancements in courtroom technology on an increasing basis, MSU College of Law and the Trial Practice Institute want to ensure all TPI graduates are prepared to litigate using this technology. TPI students will receive training during the substantive TPI classes and through an intensive seven-week Courtroom Technology and Electronic Evidence Lab. The Courtroom Technology Lab teaches students how to utilize state-of-the-art technology for electronic presentation of evidence using Trial Director Software, which is provided to all TPI students at no cost. Successful completion of the Tech Lab is required for all TPI students to graduate with their Certificate in Trial Practice. Neither the TPI scholarships nor any other academic scholarship covers the nominal Lab fee.
Q: Am I required to have a laptop?
A: Students are required to have a Windows based laptop for both the Courtroom Technology Lab and for their substantive classes in the program. Please see the TPI website for the specific computer specifications.