Online LL.M. in Advocacy

LAW 6000. ADVANCED ADVOCACY I. 6 Credits.

Students explore methods of persuasion from a theoretical perspective and apply the lessons learned through performance-based exercises designed to expand the boundaries of their understanding and mastery of techniques. This course includes a strong emphasis on establishing and maintaining personal connections in order to facilitate effective communication, and includes visiting lectures by prominent national advocate.

LAW 6003. ADVANCED EVIDENCE. 2 Credits.

This course examines the challenges associated with laying proper foundations and presenting evidence such as forensics, electronic evidence, and expert witnesses. Attention is also paid to topics such as character evidence, impeachment, and the use of evidence beyond the case in chief.

LAW 6006. ADVANCED PRETRIAL ADVOCACY. 2 Credits.

Pretrial Practice in a Civil Case: Advanced Advocacy Techniques--This course provides an overview of motion procedures and examines the best practices for drafting and arguing motions at all stages of litigation. (previously titled: Motions Practice).

LAW 6200. CAPSTONE PRACTICUM. 1 Credit.

This practicum is conducted during the final semester of the two-year LL.M. program. Students test their advocacy skills during each stage of litigation, including client counseling, discovery, and pretrial negotiations, with voir dire and mock trial exercises performed on campus.

LAW 6201. ADVOCACY PROJECT. 1 Credit.

Under the direction of an adviser, each student will produce an advocacy-related research paper or project. Advocacy-related projects might include the development of training materials for professional settings or pedagogical materials for academic environments. All projects must be research-driven and include a demonstrative component.

LAW 6009. CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE DISCOVERY. 2 Credits.

This course explores the topic of discovery from technical and strategic perspectives. The technical perspective includes instruction on how best to identify potential sources of evidence and frame discovery requests most effectively. The strategic perspective examines potential evidence through the prism of ultimate relevance, admissibility, and usefulness in order to inform the attorney's technical decisions. E-discovery and depositions are important topics within this component.

LAW 6002. ADVANCED CRIMINAL PRE-TRIAL PRACTICE. 2 Credits.

This course will focus on advanced pre-trial topics and techniques not covered in the basic criminal procedure or basic trial practice courses. The course is a blend of lecture and skills practice. In addition to lectures on substantive issues, students will actively participate in simulated criminal pre-trial problems. Pre-trial situations are analyzed and practiced, and include case intake, pre-trial release issues, discovery, pre-trial motion practice, and sentencing hearings. Procedures and techniques used in both federal and state courts are included. Ethics is a major consideration throughout the course. Prerequisites: Evidence, Trial Practice, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Professional Responsibility.

LAW 6009. CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE DISCOVERY. 2 Credits.

This course explores the topic of discovery from technical and strategic perspectives. The technical perspective includes instruction on how best to identify potential sources of evidence and frame discovery requests most effectively. The strategic perspective examines potential evidence through the prism of ultimate relevance, admissibility, and usefulness in order to inform the attorney's technical decisions. E-discovery and depositions are important topics within this component.

LAW 6012. TEACHING ADVOCACY. 2 Credits.

Tapping directly into Stetson's vast experience as the leader in advocacy education, this course examines the pedagogy of teaching advocacy and gives students the first-hand experience in applying these lessons through lab-based exercise that involve coaching actual law school students. Whether interesting in teaching advocacy as a formal educator or conducting training for fellow attorneys, this course is invaluable in helping students enhance their ability to teach advocacy.

LAW 6015. EXPERT WITNESSES. 2 Credits.

This course tackles the challenges associated with the use of expert witnesses. Students receive instruction on a variety of topics, such as forensics, medicine, and information technology, and then learn how to effectively communicate such information through expert witnesses.

LAW 6018. MASTERING VOIR DIRE. 2 Credits.

This course teaches students to analyze evidence for its persuasive impact on different personality types, construct questionnaires to identify those most and least likely to be persuaded, and conduct effective voir dire to seat the most sympathetic jury possible. This course also employs state-of-the-art opinion feedback technology and instructs students on how to use it effectively.

LAW 6103. LAW PRACT MANAGEMENT ADVOCACY. 2 Credits.

This course focuses on developing an understanding of professional development programs within the firm environment; creating in house programs, including mentoring, management, and professional development; and understanding how to properly identify and development best practice law management procedures for the 21st century law office. This course includes a strong emphasis on the internal persuasion considerations required to properly position an individual attorney within the firm environment from a professional development perspective, as well as a systemic understanding of how professional development and best business practices impact the viability of the practice of law.

LAW 6106. TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED ADVOCACY. 2 Credits.

This course exposes students to the latest in courtroom technology and demonstrates how technology is best employed as a tool to enhance storytelling, rather than as a substitute for it. Students not only learn how about various courtroom technologies, but are also required to demonstrate their mastery of technology-assisted advocacy.

LAW 6109. COMPLEX COUNSELING&NEGOTIATION. 2 Credits.

This course seeks to teach students the skills they need to recognize hidden factors that can influence their persuasiveness when counseling clients or negotiating with others and to balance the individual needs of competing parties. In addition to lecture-based instruction, this course makes extensive use of role-playing and practical exercises.

LAW 6112. DAMAGES. 2 Credits.

This course examines the various forms of economic and noneconomic damages, explores the most effective means of recovery, and develops the advocacy skills best employed when seeking to maximize or mitigate damages.