Summer Trial Institute

Please support Wyoming’s future lawyers through the Summer Trial Institute.

Summer Trial Institute is an intensive two-week trial advocacy course that brings leading trial lawyers in a variety of practice areas from across the state and country into the courtroom with UW College of Law rising third-year law students. The institute is an opportunity unique to UW that creates a learning opportunity that is highly valued by the students.

This course is truly experiential and has students practicing new skills daily as they gain confidence to become trial lawyers upon graduation. The first week focuses on trial skills, professionalism, and persuasion. Many hours are devoted to the jury selection process, expert testimony, and advocacy techniques such as case theory, direct and cross examination, opening statements, and closing arguments.

The second week involves more interaction with the bench, including insights from federal and state court judges who volunteer for the event. During this week, students put their skills to the test by participating in written advocacy, contested motions hearings, and pre-trial conferences. Throughout the process, the students benefit from the feedback of seasoned lawyers, their peers, and instructors. They have the opportunity to network with the legal community and potential future employers and mentors. The course culminates with a jury trial before incoming first-year law student “jurors” and sitting Wyoming judges.

Scholarship awards are presented for outstanding student achievement, and the student demonstrating the most grit, heart, and tenacity for trial work is awarded the Terry W. Mackey Scholarship.

Thank you for supporting this invaluable experience for future Wyoming lawyers!