ASSIGNMENTS—HYBRID SMALL GROUPS

   Case Files: Potter vs. Shrackle and Flinder vs. Misco

The Building Blocks may be found on the UH Law Center web site under:

www.law.uh.edu/litigation  (Click on “Documents for Litigation Classes” on the pull-down menu to the right of the screen.)

Week 1                      DIRECT EXAMINATION (Building Block  #1)             January 14

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 1-11, 97-141, 160-162, 500-505, 506-508

Problems:                                No Small Group session this week.  Instead, students will remain in the Lecture/Demonstration group until 9:00 to watch a trial demonstration.

                                                [Casual Dress; No Videotaping]

Week 2                      CROSS EXAMINATION (Building Block #2)                 January 28

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 165-168, 251-277, 310-311, 508-511

Problems:                                1 (Distributed in class.)  A’s prepare and conduct a direct examination of Investigator Bier; B’s prepare and conduct a direct examination of Dan Jones

Week 3                       FOUNDATIONS (Building Block #3)                               February 4

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 142-155, 169-249, 307-308, 505-506, 539-541

Problems:                                 1  (Distributed in class)  A’s prepare and conduct a cross examination of Dan Jones; B’s prepare and conduct a cross examination of Investigator Bier.

Week 4                      OBJECTIONS (Building Block #4)                                               February 11

Note:  For Weeks 4 through 7 the class will work on the Potter v. Shrackle case file.   This will also be the case file for the bench trials.  A’s will represent the plaintiffs; B’s will represent the defendants.

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 447-481

Problems:                                A’s prepare and conduct a direct examination of James Marshall and a cross examination of Alice Malloy; B’s prepare and conduct a direct examination of Alice Malloy and a cross examination of James Marshall.  You MUST use an exhibit as part of your direct examination.

Week 5                      IMPEACHMENT (Building Block #5)                              February 18

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 156-160, 277-307, 308-310

Problems:        A’s prepare and conduct a direct examination of Jeffrey Potter and a cross examination of Charles Shrackle; B’s conduct a direct examination of Charles Shrackle and a cross examination of Jeffrey Potter.  You shall use an exhibit a part of your direct examination.  You MUST use an exhibit as part of your direct examination.

Week 6                      EXPERTS (Building Block #6)                                          February 25

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 313-386

                                                For Bench Trials, Mauet, pp. 527-546

Problem:                                 28, 31 (Distributed in class.)  A’s conduct a cross examination and impeachment in Problem 2 and a redirect examination in Problem 3; B’s conduct a redirect examination in Problem 3 and a cross examination and impeachment in Problem 2.

                                                [No Videotaping]

Week 7                      CASE PLANNING  (Building Block #7)                           March 3

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 13-29, 490-495, 508-523

Jim Perdue , Inspiring With Your Trial Story (Distributed in class; reprinted with permission of the State Bar of Texas)

Problem:                                 A’s prepare and conduct a direct examination of Robert Glenn;

B’s prepare and conduct a cross examination of Robert Glenn.

Week 8                      JURY SELECTION (Building Block #8 & 9)                   March 10

For the remainder of the semester the class will work on State v. O’Neill.  This will also be the case file for the final trials.  A’s will represent the defendant; B’s will represent the prosecution.

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 31-60, 4497-499

Problems:                                Case Analysis for the side you will be representing in your final

                                                Trial. You will be conducting an analysis of the case for the side

                                                you will be representing in your final trial, concentrating on the

                                                development of:

                                                (1) Legal Theory of the case

                                                (why the law allows your client to win);

                                                (2) Factual Theory of the case

                                                (what happened and why);   

(3) Persuasive Theory of the case (why your client should win as  matter of fairness and equity).

                                                Plaintiffs will meet for the first hour of the Skills Practice Session;

                                                Defendants will meet for the second hour of the Skills Practice

                                                Session.

                                                [Casual Dress; No Videotaping]

Week 9                      JURY SELECTION (Building Blocks #8 & 9)                 March 24

Problems:                                Prepare and conduct voir dire examination.  Limit your questioning to a maximum of two issues

                                                [No Videotaping]

Week 10                    OPENING STATEMENT (Building Block #10)             March 31

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 61-95, 495-497

Problems:                                 Continue conducting voir dire for the side you were assigned.

                                                [No Vidotaping]

Week 11                    CLOSING ARGUMENT (Building Block #11)               April 7

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp.  387-445, 495-497, 511-513

Problems:                                Present an opening statement of no more than 8 minutes.

Week 12                    PRETRIAL PROCEDURE (Building Block #12)                        April 14

Required Reading:                  Mauet, pp. 162-165, 483-490, 523-525

Problems:  Present a closing argument for no more than 8 minutes.