Students who wish to become litigators receive specialized practical training to prepare for careers in litigation, civil and/or criminal trial and appellate work, or dispute resolution. A wide range of courses enables students to learn and demonstrate competencies in writing, appellate and trial advocacy, evidence, trial preparation and conduct, alternative dispute resolution, negotiation, and counseling and representation of clients.
Students must complete the Core and required Elective Courses listed below. A minimum of 14 total credits is required, in addition to Evidence and GLS II, which are required of all students. Journal service is not a substitute for GLS II for the Concentration.
In addition to the one required Elective course from each of the three Elective categories below (Pretrial, ADR, and Capstone), which will total at least six (6) credits, the student may choose courses from any of the four Elective sections to accumulate the 14-credit minimum.
Note that not all courses are offered every year. Students should plan their curriculums with this in mind, checking the Academic Schedule for the coming year and for the year thereafter
With prior written approval, the Concentration Director may vary the requirements of the program in individual cases for good cause.
Courses — 14 units minimum
| Core Courses (complete both) | Units |
|---|---|
| Trial Advocacy (required) | 3 |
| Clinic or Externship with a substantial litigation or ADR focus (advance written approval from the Concentration Director is required). Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar, with its associated Clinic, may be used to meet both (a) the Clinic or Externship requirement and (b) either Pretrial Advocacy or Alternative Dispute Resolution. The student must complete both semesters. | at least 3 |
| Elective Courses — Pretrial Advocacy (complete at least one) | Units |
|---|---|
| Civil Pretrial Litigation | 2 |
| Criminal Pretrial Litigation | 2 |
| Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar | 2, 2 |
| Taking & Defending Depositions | 2 |
| Written Discovery | 2 |
| Elective Courses — Alternative Dispute Resolution (complete at least one) | Units |
|---|---|
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | 3 |
| Art of Plea Bargaining | 2 |
| Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar | 2, 2 |
| International Commercial & Investment Arbitration | 3 |
| International Negotiations | 1 or 2 |
| Mediation | 2 or 3 |
| Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Seminar and Clinic (may be used to meet both (a) the Clinic or Externship Requirement and (2) the Alternative Dispute Resolution requirement) | 3 |
| Negotiating Disputes Into Deals | 1 or 2 |
| Negotiation & Settlements | 2 or 3 |
| Elective Courses — Capstones (complete at least one) | Units |
|---|---|
| Advanced Trial Advocacy | 3 |
| Advanced Appellate Advocacy Seminar & Moot Court Team (students must complete two semesters) | 2, 2 |
| Mock Trial Team & Mock Trial Evidence (students must complete two semesters) | 2, 2 |
| Elective Courses — Other Litigation-Related (optional) | Units |
|---|---|
| Advanced Criminal Procedure | 2 |
| California Parole Hearings & Litigation | 1 |
| Criminal Law Defenses | 2 |
| Employment Law | 3 |
| Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| Persuasive Public Speaking | 2 |
| Transnational Litigation | 3 |
| White Collar Crime | 2 |
Externships — Students perform on-site legal work as externs under the supervision of externship supervisors in government agencies that specialize in criminal law and civil litigation, including local, state and federal agencies such as the California Attorney General's Office, the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Legal Clinics — McGeorge features legal clinics that allow students to represent clients in actual criminal or civil law proceedings under the supervision of a professor expert in a specific field. Our Federal Defender Clinic is one of only two in the country where students defend misdemeanor charges in U.S. District Court. The Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic and the Criminal Appellate Advocacy Clinic also allow students to work with real-world clients.
