REMINDER: Try Out Videos for Fall 2020 Trial Team due by Saturday 4/18 at 10:00 AM

[AdvocacyInstitute]

Rising 2L and 3L Students:

REMINDER: YOUR TRY OUT VIDEO FOR TRIAL TEAM MUST BE UPLOADED BY SATURDAY, APRIL 18 AT 10:00 A.M.

We hope you are interested in trying out for UB Law's Trial Team. Given the move to distance learning, we will be having remote try outs. You should record yourself as described below, and email the recording to Trial_T.kcnricmvbwd5zrjl@u.box.com with CC to JRSCHARF@BUFFALO.EDU. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR TRY OUT UPLOADED BY SATURDAY, APRIL 18 AT 10:00 A.M., OR IT WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

In your video submission for try outs, you will be expected to record yourself doing an Opening Statement (for either Prosecution or Defense) in the Worthington case (attached).

You should start your video by:
1. State and spell your first and last names, and provide your preferred name.
2. State what year you are in law school currently
3. State whether you have taken Evidence and when (or if you are planning to take it Fall 2020)
4. State whether you have taken Trial Technique and when (or if you are planning to take it Fall 2020)
5. State any other relevant experience you have (prior mock trial, debate, or public speaking)
6. Tell us why you would be a great trial team member
7. What side you are doing (P or D) for your opening statement in Worthington
8. Give your opening (approximately 5 minutes)

NOTE: Trial Team is a credit-bearing class called "Trial Advocacy", and it is by-invitation-only after try-outs (3 credits per semester for up to 6 credit hours, however you are not required to register for credit to be on a trial team). Trial Teams compete in national competitions against other top tier trial schools. Trial Team meets various evenings during the week (to the schedule of your coaches and you -- we typically ask you to leave Tuesday and Thursday nights available for practices) and at least one weekend day during competition season; practices typically start in the beginning of the school year and run through mid- to late-October.

In Fall 2020 there will be an OPTIONAL tethered 3-credit class (Mondays, 8 am - 11 am) focusing on each Trial Team problem with intensive evidence and substantive law practice that relate to your trial team problems called Advanced Trial Skills (during the school day) -- this course will be open *only* to trial team students. This will be extra experience and practice for you!

You will be notified by email if you made a trial team. Please note that we have a lot more students wanting to participate than spaces on teams -- if you do not make a team this semester, we strongly encourage you to try out again at the end of the semester for a Spring team! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email.

Jennifer Scharf

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Jennifer R. Scharf, Esq.
716.220.4875 (Mobile)
JRScharf@buffalo.edu