--- title: 'Trial Advocacy' date: '2010-07-19T21:45:46-05:00' type: page word_count: 914 char_count: 6952 tokens: 1189 --- # Trial Advocacy About the Program ----------------- The Alabama Law Trial Advocacy program is a skills-based curriculum that teaches students how to effectively litigate. In learning about and experiencing the pretrial and trial advocacy processes, students leave Alabama Law ready to step into litigation at the highest level. The program consists of two tracks for students to choose from: Coursework and Competition. ### Coursework Track Within this track, students have the option to take civil or criminal trial courses-all taught by experienced litigators. Both the civil and criminal courses offer students the opportunity to learn about and engage in the full pretrial and trial process. #### Civil Coursework Pretrial Advocacy: Civil – LAW 663 – 3 Hours This course provides students the opportunity to learn about and engage in the pretrial process in the context of a civil lawsuit, including investigating facts, drafting pleadings, conducting and opposing discovery, and arguing dispositive motions. This course requires regular participation by students in written and oral advocacy exercises. Trial Advocacy: Civil – LAW 664 – 3 Hours This course provides students the opportunity to learn about and engage in the trial process in the context of a civil lawsuit. Topics include theory of the case, opening statements, direct and cross examination, exhibits and demonstrative evidence, expert witnesses, and closing arguments. This course requires regular participation by students in primarily oral advocacy exercises centered on facets of the trial process. #### Criminal Coursework Pretrial Advocacy: Criminal – LAW 673 – 3 Hours This course provides students the opportunity to learn about and engage in the pretrial process in the context of a criminal case, including investigating facts, examining the grand jury and indictment process, handling preliminary hearings and bond issues, and arguing pretrial motions. This course requires regular participation by students in written and oral advocacy exercises. Trial Advocacy: Criminal – LAW 604 – 2-3 Hours This course provides students the opportunity to learn about and engage in the trial process in the context of a criminal case. Topics include theory of the case, opening statements, direct and cross examination, exhibits and demonstrative evidence, expert witnesses, and closing arguments. This course requires regular participation by students in primarily oral advocacy exercises centered on facets of the trial process. Competition Track ----------------- The competition track is designed to prepare students to compete on an Alabama Law National Trial Advocacy team. Each year, these teams, led by highly skilled practitioners, compete in trial skills competitions against some of the top future trial lawyers in the country. Trial Advocacy Competition Class – LAW 728 – 3 Hours This course provides students an in-depth and competitive format for learning and practicing the skills necessary to try a case. Topics include theory of the case, opening statements, direct and cross examination, exhibits and demonstrative evidence, expert witnesses, and closing arguments. Students in this class are eligible to be considered for placement on one or more of the law school’s trial competition teams. Trial Advocacy Competition Team – LAW 629 – 3 Hours Registration for this course is limited to students selected to serve on one or more National Trial Team(s). The course will consist of students preparing for and competing in a national trial competition. The prerequisite for this course is Trial Advocacy Competition Class. Program Leadership, Coaches, and Instructors -------------------------------------------- ![Program Director: Professor Gary Sullivan](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sullivan-Gary.jpg) **Program Director: Professor Gary Sullivan** To reach Professor Sullivan, please contact his program assistant Brittany Hastings: 205-348-8870 ### Coursework Track Instructors (Civil) ![M. Bradley Almond, Circuit Court Judge](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BradAlmond.jpg)**Hon. M. Bradley Almond, Circuit Court Judge** Sixth Judicial Circuit of Alabama ![Larry G. Canada, Senior Trial Counsel](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Canada.jpg)**Larry G. Canada, Senior Trial Counsel** Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) ![Anna Carroll, Trial Attorney](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Anna_Carroll.jpg)**Anna Carroll, Trial Attorney** Heninger Garrison Davis LLC ![Darius Crayton, Partner](https://law.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/darius-crayton.png)**Darius Crayton, Partner** Farris Riley & Pitt LLP ![Joseph T. Cox III, Partner](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Joseph_Cox.jpg)**Joseph T. Cox III, Partner** Zeanah Hust Summmerford LLC ![Christopher Driver, Partner](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Christopher-Driver.jpg)**Christopher Driver, Partner** Badham & Buck LLC ![Hon. Jim Gentry, District Court Judge](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jim_Gentry.jpg)**Hon. Jim Gentry, District Court Judge** Sixth Judicial Circuit of Alabama ![Chuck Hardin](/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/chuckhardincropped-1x1-1.jpg)**Charles A. Hardin, Partner** Hardin & Hughes LLP ![Louis F. Mendez, Principal ](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mendez.jpg)**Louis F. Mendez, Principal** Bressler Amery & Ross ![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Judge-Patton-1x1-1-1024x1024.jpg)**Hon. Javan Patton, Circuit Court Judge** Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama ![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/0057_Chandler-Jones-copy-600-300x300.jpg)**Chandler Williams, Attorney** Rosen Harwood P.A. ![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/justin-williams-1.png)**Justin Williams, Managing Partner** Tanner & Guin LLP ### Coursework Track Instructors (Criminal) ![Joel L. Sogol, Attorney](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/JoelSogol.jpg)**Joel L. Sogol, Attorney** Joel L. Sogol, Attorney at Law ### Competition Track Coaches & Instructors ![Justin (JJ) Jones, Assistant United States Attorney](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin.jpg)**Justin (JJ) Jones, Assistant United States Attorney** U.S. Department of Justice ![J.R. Krebs, Attorney](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/JRKrebs.jpg)**J.R. Krebs, Attorney** Krebs Law, LLC ![Yuri R. Linetsky, Associate Professor of Clinical Legal Instruction, Director of Clinic Programs, Director of Civil Law Clinic](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/YuriLinetsky.jpg)**Yuri R. Linetsky, Associate Professor of Clinical Legal Instruction, Director of Clinic Programs, Director of Civil Law Clinic** University of Alabama School of Law ![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ashley-ross.png)**Ashley A. Ross, Assistant District Attorney** Tuscaloosa County District Attorney ![Chenelle M. Smith , Assistant Attorney General](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ChenelleHeadshot.jpg)**Chenelle M. Smith , Assistant Attorney General** Alabama Attorney General’s Office