Beyond the Classroom Experience
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An Education Worth Having
The Institute offers opportunities for training outside the traditional classroom setting, including annual conferences, lecture series, and training seminars for students and attorneys to gain additional knowledge and trial advocacy skills.
Annual Lecture Series*
The Institute features some of the nation's most sought-after speakers who share their expertise on a variety of current topics in litigation. The Annual Lecture Series is highly anticipated by students, scholars and legal practitioners alike.
American Bar Association Client Counseling Competition
In the spring of each year, a select number of TPI students are chosen to represent MSU Law at ABA Client Counseling Competition, a national competition. The students receive one-on-one mentoring from a seasoned litigator.
Certification Program for the Shared Advanced Technology Courtroom - U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Federal Bar Association
In an effort to promote continuing legal education in the area of courtroom technology and electronic evidence, the Institute has joined the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Federal Bar Association Eastern District Chapter in sponsoring monthly one-day workshops for practicing attorneys who seek to learn and improve these skills. Each year, one student from the program is chosen to present at the workshop. These workshops are held at the Eastern District Court.
Networking and Mentoring Opportunities
In addition to exposing students the intricacies of trial practice, the program regularly exposes students to practicing attorneys, sitting judges and alumni. In some instances, students will have the opportunity to work closely with them as they volunteer as guest lecturers and judges.
Journal of Trial Practice and Advocacy
The Institute looks forward to publishing its inaugural issue of the Journal of Trial Practice and Advocacy in the spring of 2009. The Journal will feature articles that balance the practical and academic aspects of trial practice. This unofficial journal was started by five students in the fall of 2007. Students served on the Board of this Journal.
MSU Jury Research Project
MSU professors from the communications and psychology departments as well as the law school have embarked on a joint venture to conduct research on jury decision making and the effect of rules of evidence and procedure on it. The facilities of the Haley Courtroom and of the Law College provide opportunities for jury research that are unsurpassed at any law school.
Students in the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute may also enroll in Social Science and the Litigation Process (LAW591E), a course offered in the fall of 2008 that will focus on the application of social science theory and research to trial practice. This course will be taught by MSU Professors Frank Boster and Norber Kerr.
*Students in the Institute are required to attend all mandatory TPI sponsored events.