Prof. Fortson's JUST 487 students present mock oral arguments to Alaska Court of Appeals Judge Allard

 Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Justice faculty, held mock oral arguments in his Justice 487 - Trial and Advanced Litigation Processes course on December 11 as the final project of the semester.  Students participated in a  moot court  - a mock appellate court proceeding which involves the presentation of oral argument before a judge or a panel of judges.

L to r: Students Kaeli Braden, Marta Matthews Klingebiel, April Gehring; Alaska Court of Appeals Judge Marjorie Allard; students Lisa Akerelrea, Leslie Erdman; and Prof. Deb Periman, J.D.

Students prepared arguments for two hypothetical cases.  Their arguments were presented before Alaska Court of Appeals Judge Marjorie Allard who rendered a decision after each case was presented.  Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., monitored the students' arguments.

Prior to the oral arguments, students prepared briefs on their cases and submitted them to their opposing counsel team and to Prof. Fortson and Judge Allard. Earlier in the semester, the students also participated in a simulated trial, conducting opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments.