Session 2

Be a Lawyer in Court

What Happens in a Courtroom

In this unique, immersive two-week program, students will learn about case analysis, direct and cross-examination, admitting and using exhibits, and delivering opening statements and closing arguments, guided by experienced McGeorge School of Law faculty, and aided by members of the nationally ranked McGeorge Mock Trial Team.

Trial Advocacy offers high school students who are passionate about law, trial advocacy and social justice an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that will prepare them for college and law school. Each interactive session will include learning by doing, practicing various trial skills using a simulated case file.

Curriculum

Students will become familiar with all aspects of a trial, including how to examine witnesses, how to give an opening statement and how to give a closing argument.

Students will perform skills in component parts. They will have an opportunity to practice each skill, receive feedback about how to improve it and implement that feedback in the next session. The program will culminate in a full trial.

law and jd students sitting in a lecture hall
Planned Topics

Students will conduct case analysis of a simulated case file, developing a case theory and theme. Trial skills drills will provide an opportunity to practice conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses. Students will learn how to effectively admit and use exhibits, and how to deliver persuasive opening statements and closing arguments.

Each skill will be practiced throughout the two week session. Students will receive feedback and suggestions for improvement. They will then be paired up and will present a case in a full trial at the end of the session.

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Dominique Hinson
Faculty Lead
Dominique Hinson

Associate Director of Trial Advocacy and Associate Professor of Law, Legal Practice, McGeorge School of Law

JD, South Texas College of Law, Houston
BA, Texas A&M University, College Station

Professor Dominique Hinson joined the 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½ McGeorge School of Law in July 2024 as Associate Director of Trial Advocacy and Associate Professor of Law, Legal Practice. She teaches in McGeorge’s award-winning Trial Advocacy program and coaches top-ranked competition teams.
Previously, Professor Hinson was Director of Appellate Advocacy and an adjunct professor at South Texas College of Law Houston, where she taught advocacy courses and coached advocacy for ten years. She also serves as a faculty member for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), training lawyers nationwide.
An expert in advocacy education, she has presented at conferences such as Educating Advocates: Teaching Advocacy Skills (EATS) and the Training Advocates Conference. She was the 2023–2024 Vice President of Moot Court for the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators.
Before academia, Professor Hinson practiced commercial litigation and employment law in Texas, where she is admitted to practice in multiple federal courts. She holds a JD from South Texas College of Law Houston, where she was co-chair of the Board of Advocates, a Dean’s Outstanding Advocate, and inducted into the Order of the Barristers. She holds a BA in Political Science from Texas A&M University. Passionate about advocacy, she helps businesses and creators navigate legal challenges.

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