Areas of Focus

Trial Advocacy

From competitions to a strong curriculum focused on oral and written presentation skills, UCLA Law offers comprehensive training for students interested in trial advocacy.

The A. Barry Cappello Program in Trial Advocacy provides an extensive education in the strategies and techniques required to be a successful litigator. Through an array of courses, competitions and clinical opportunities, students learn how to prepare for and conduct jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examinations and closing arguments, as well as how to make and respond to evidentiary objections. Students gain opportunities to apply these skills in class simulations, trial tournaments and on behalf of actual clients in state and federal courts.

Our Faculty

Paul Bergman

Professor of Law Emeritus

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Justin Bernstein

Director of A. Barry Cappello Program in Trial Advocacy

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Steven K. Derian

Lecturer in Law

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Ingrid Eagly

Professor of Law
Faculty Co-Director, Criminal Law & Policy Consortium

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Sunita Patel

Professor of Law
Faculty Director, Faculty Director of the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law & Policy
Faculty Director, UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic

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Eileen A. Scallen

Professor of Practice

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Joanna C. Schwartz

Honorable Harry Pregerson Professor of Law

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Sherod Thaxton

Professor of Law
Professor of African American Studies (by courtesy)
Professor of Public Policy (by courtesy)
Professor of Sociology (by courtesy)

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Eugene Volokh

Gary T. Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus

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News
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Jun 10, 2024

Trial team ends another record-breaking year as the nation’s top squad

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Oct 03, 2023

Justin Bernstein talks to Law360 about litigation tactics in the Sam Bankman-Fried trial

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