Selected MSU-Detroit College of Law students are getting a unique opportunity through a new program initiated this fall.
The Trial Practice Certificate Program is part of the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute.
A $4 million donation for the institute from Michigan lawyer Geoffrey Fieger was announced Tuesday. The institute is designed to give students practice in pre-trial work and the examination and cross-examination of witnesses.
“These students are getting a huge jump-start on their compatriots by getting the skills while they’re still in law school,” Program Director John Pirich said. “Everything is done in the exact same way as in state and federal courts.”
Pirich is teaching Pretrial 1, which involves taking a case and dealing with it as a real court would.
Students are eligible to apply for the program after completing their first year at MSU-DCL. The program lasts two years and upon completion, students will have 14 of the 33 elective credits needed to gain a law degree.
The program consists of 10 pre-trial and trial courses and four courses focusing on negotiation, courtroom demeanor and technology in the courtroom. Only 16 students are admitted into the program each year, leaving 32 students enrolled at any given time.
Patrick Winters, a second-year law student enrolled in the program, said he decided to apply because he saw it as an increased opportunity.
“Most law schools I’ve looked at don’t have this,” he said.
And because he has mentioned the program on his résumé, Winters said employers have placed a greater interest in him.
“Law school teaches you the law, but it doesn’t give you the experience,” he said. “It feels like I’m going into work every day.”
Steve Knittel, also a second-year law student, said he joined the program because of his interest in litigation and because he wants to be involved in a hands-on approach.
The institute offers classes taught by seasoned litigators using the latest technology but focuses mostly on practical hands-on experience and one-on-one mentoring with practicing trial lawyers.
“It’s just another thing to make ourselves more valuable to our future employers,” Knittel said. “There’s generally not a lot of practical experience for law students, but this is a way to add practical skills to our toolboxes.”
Jennifer Visser, another second-year law student, said she is really enjoying the program so far.
“It’s going really well,” she said. “It’s great to get this kind of experience.”
