The goal of Advanced Appellate Advocacy is to introduce students to the full appellate process, including steps taken to reach a final appellate decision. Students will study the rules of appellate procedure and learn the nuances of filing briefs and supporting documentation with an appellate court. At the conclusion of the semester, students will prepare for and participate in oral argument in front of a panel of experienced practitioners. Students will be expected to read and digest trial materials, spot issues, research those issues, and, based upon that research, draft appellate briefs, including all relevant sections (Question Presented, Statement of Facts, Argument, etc.).

To give students the closest possible simulation to that of a real advocate, the entire course has been designed around a real legal matter. Students will receive a truncated trial record to read and review. The course will proceed as if students are preparing a brief for submission to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Emphasis will be placed on the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, but the course will also focus on skills that are applicable to all manner of persuasive scenarios, i.e., trial advocacy, burden of persuasion, applying the applicable legal standard, etc.