I had my first practice round last Friday. My partner and I argued the case, an employment dispute, in front of two LRW tutors while being videotaped. We each had 6 minutes to persuade the tutors that we weren't complete idiots and did, in fact, have some command of the English language.
I don't think I convinced them.
I gave the standard opening: "May it please the court, my name is ______, counsel for respondent Tonya Howard." After the opening, you're supposed to state a conclusion to the issue, basically telling the court how you want them to rule. In reviewing my videotaped practice round, I said something coherent. So far, so good.
Next, I launched into my argument about how the district court judge properly denied a motion for an order of recusal. This is where the English language failed me. I stumbled for about 30 seconds and then one of the tutors asked me a question. I didn't know the answer.
I resumed my argument and made it through another 15 seconds. The other tutor asked me a question. Again, I didn't know the answer. A follow up question was lobbed my way. Dumbfounded, I frantically searched my outline for at least a place to start. Nothing.
I spoke for about another minute, stated my conclusion, and sat down. Then I realized I was holding my breath. It's a miracle I didn't swoon at the podium.
The feedback from the tutors was pleasantly mild. They told my partner and I to speak with confidence, argue with confidence, respond to questions with confidence, and relearn English.
The good thing is that I now know how unprepared I was for the practice round and how prepared I will be for my final oral argument. And as far as relearning English or remembering how to speak a coherent sentence, it's really a work in progress. English is tricky, and even though I'm a native speaker, blah blah glar glar glar blah. Yes, your Honor, that is my argument - my client wins.
Power to the people.
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