Students in Profs. Fortson's and Knudsen's classes practice mock opening statements before Judge Sen Tan and deposition skills

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S., and Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., coordinated a joint project with their students in LEGL 487 Trial and Advanced Litigation Practice and LEGL 380 Torts, Workers' Compensation & Insurance to develop pre-trial and trial skills using a common set of case materials that Prof. Knudsen and Prof. Fortson created.

In Prof. Knudsen's class, students were videotaped as they interviewed witnesses during a mock deposition. Eric Baldwin, videographer with Academic Innovations and eLearning, a former professional legal videographer, assisted students in understanding the technical side of what is needed to videotape a depostion that will be used as evidence, while Prof. Knudsen evaluated the performance of each team.

L: Videographer Eric Baldwin. L to r far side of table: students Casey Gilmore and Jory Knott.
L to r near side of the table: student Estellita Chiles and Leroy Latta, J.D., volunteer witness.

L to r far side of table: studentsCasey Gilmore and Jory Knott.
L to r near side of table: student Estellita Chiles and
Leroy Latta, J.D., volunteer witness

In Prof. Fortson's class, students presented mock opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. Alaska Superior Court Judge Sen Tan (ret.) presided over the hearings.

Prof. Fortson's class l to r: Erin Leaders, Nathel Sims, Case Mohr, Kimberly Allely, James Schindler, Judge Sen Tan,
Prof. Ryan Fortson, Liz Blanas, and Tina Isbell. Not pictured: Brandon Clark and Dawn Harrison.