Law Center News
SULC, NITA teaming up to offer innovative practical programs for students
Through a partnership between the Southern University Law Center (SULC) and the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), two innovative programs will be offered that will give students a competitive edge.
As part of the initial program, NITA will offer a course in which 32 public service attorneys will be paired with 16 SULC students for an intensive, hands-on, four-day training session to teach students how to become better advocates for their clients. SULC will select participating attorneys, and students will have to apply for the coveted seats. The program is scheduled for May 9-12, 2016.
“Many of our students are interested in public service careers, so this class will give them an opportunity to sharpen their skills when they go out and represent folks with low to moderate incomes,” SULC Interim Chancellor John K. Pierre said. “It will also improve the students’ confidence so they won’t be afraid, but can just hit the ground running. And the interaction with the public service attorneys is just invaluable.”
The second program is a pilot program in which NITA will conduct a two-day class on client interviewing and fact-investigation skills. The classes will begin in fall 2016. SULC is one of the first law schools in the country to participate in the program.
“We are in the forefront, setting a trend with this partnership,” Pierre said. “What we’re trying to do is to give law students the best skills training that they can get while they are in law school–beyond what they are getting in the classroom.”
NITA is a nonprofit organization that provides person-to-person and online training for lawyers. The organization prides itself on learning-by-doing workshops to give participants practical, hands-on experience.
Jennifer Schneider, NITA’s director of publications, says the institute administrators are excited about this new partnership.
“We appreciate how enthusiastic Southern is to work with us,” Schneider said. “Our goal is to help law schools teach practical skills, which are becoming increasingly more important for students’ hireability.”
For more information, contact Interim Chancellor John K. Pierre, Jpierre@sulc.edu; (225) 771-2552.
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