John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program

Are you drawn to the real life drama of the courtroom? Do you have dreams of becoming a trial attorney? If so, then the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (PittLaw) may just be the place for you. Through its unique John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program, PittLaw can provide you with a unique curriculum devoted exclusively to training the trial lawyers of tomorrow.

During the first year of law school, all students take the same courses. Those students who wish to register for the Gismondi program, do so at the beginning of their second year of law school. During their second and third years, all students enrolled in the certificate program will take certain required foundational core courses, a clinic or practicum, as well as a number of specialized classes. The heart of the Gismondi program is a collection of specialized courses taught exclusively by a pre eminent group of practicing trial attorneys whose insight and experience offer an invaluable perspective in the classroom. Together with our core courses, these select courses provide a level and depth of litigation training unlike that available at most any other law school.

In each of these specialized skills courses, class size is kept small so as to enrich the learning experience. Students not only are taught legal rules and principles in a typical lecture format, but more importantly, they are assigned to "role play" in a variety of real world litigation scenarios, each designed to develop specific skills which are essential to successful trial work.

Students complete their training by taking a required litigation skills clinic or practicum selected from this group of options: Health Law Clinic, Elder Law, Tax Clinic, Immigration Clinic, Environmental Law Clinic, Legal Services Practicum, Lawyering III Clinic, Criminal Prosecution Practicum, or Family Law Clinic. In all of these clinics, students have the potential of representing real clients in actual court proceedings.

The students in the John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program will complete their law school education having developed a set of skills which better prepares them to do courtroom work than traditional law school graduates, and that advantage, in turn, makes the Gismondi program students more attractive to law firms seeking to hire young and enthusiastic litigation associates.

If you have any questions about the program, please click on one of the tabs on the top of this page for more detailed information. If you still have questions, please contact Professor Martha Mannix, Director of John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program.

Requirements 

The heart of the Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program is a selection of specialized courses taught exclusively by a pre-eminent group of practicing trial attorneys whose insight and experience offer an invaluable perspective in the classroom. In each of these courses, class size is kept small so as to enrich the learning experience. Students not only are taught legal rules and principles in a typical lecture format, but more importantly, they are assigned to "role play" in a variety of real world litigation scenarios, each designed to develop specific skills which are essential to successful trial work.For example, a student may be asked to conduct an initial interview with a client and then help their law firm decide whether to accept representation of the client; take a pre trial deposition of the crucial witness from the opposing side in the case; cross examine an expert witness; give a convincing closing argument to the jury at the end of a hotly contested trial; and much, much more. All of these exercises are done under the watchful eye of our team of experienced trial attorneys. With their supervision, guidance, and insight, students quickly gain greater self confidence and a richer appreciation for the many nuances of trial work. In courses indicated with an asterick (*), students enrolled in the Concentration need special permission from the program director to count those classes toward the Concentration. In the remaining specialized skills classes, students enrolled in the program receive priority in registration. In order to receive this priority, certificate students must sign up with the Program Director at least two weeks prior to the Course Registration Period.

Concentration Requirements

Certificate Requirements (available to students graduating on or before May 2023 (or May 2024 for Joint degree students))

Core Courses (5 cr.)

Core Courses (8 cr.)

 

Specialized Skills Courses (Must take 3) (6 cr). (one of the courses marked with * may be substituted for one of the specialized skills course upon request to Director)

Specialized Skills Courses (Must take 4) (8 cr.)

 

Clinic or Practicum (min. of 3 cr.)

Clinic or Practicum  (min. of 4 cr.)

Trial Competitions  (1 cr.)

Trial Competitions  (1 cr.)

 

Upper Level Writing   (2 cr.)

 

Students may satisfy this requirement by taking any seminar or undertaking an independent study project if the paper they write is on an unresolved litigation related issue and the issue is approved by the Director of the Civil Litigation Certificate Program. The paper must comply also with applicable requirements of the professor and the Student Handbook relating to the Upper Level Writing Requirement.

Court Observation (0 cr.)  Students must participate in the Program's Court Observation.  Students will spend a morning organized by the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County observing court proceedings.  Students must sign up with the Program Director in order to participate in one of the announced dates.

Court Observation (0 cr.)  Students must participate in the Program's Court Observation.  Students will spend a morning organized by the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County observing court proceedings.  Students must sign up with the Program Director in order to participate in one of the announced dates.

Registration

Enrollment in the Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program takes place through the Registrar's Office, generally at the end of your first year when you register for your Fall second year classes. Certificate or concentration enrollment is accomplished by completing the on-line registration form no later than the end of the first week of your 2L year. Once enrolled, students in the certificate/concentration program must reaffirm their intention to continue in the program no later than the end of the first week of their 3L year, using the on-line Certificate Program Continuation form. At the Program Director's discretion, students may be permitted to register for the program after your third semester of law school if there is a reasonable likelihood that you will be able to complete the program requirements in a timely manner. Please refer to the Registrar's Certificate Program Registration Information for additional information. 

As of the 2020/2021 Academic Year, the program is transitioning to a concentration. Students currently enrolled in the Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program can earn the certificate or instead opt to earn a concentration. Students enrolling in Class of 2023 or after may only enroll in the concentration. 

Please review the certificate/concentration requirements carefully before choosing to enroll in the program and be aware of course pre-requisites for advanced courses. Because Evidence is a "gateway" course to many of the other certificate/concentration courses, we strongly advise you to enroll in Evidence in the Fall semester of your second year, so that you will have ample opportunity to complete the certificate /concentration requirements.

If, after enrollment, you decide not to complete the certificate/concentration requirements and want to disenroll from the Certificate/Concentration Program, you must notify the Registrar in writing and provide the Program Director with a copy.

FAQ

Should I consider enrolling in the Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program?

If you have a strong interest in becoming a trial attorney and want “hands on” opportunities to begin developing the needed practical lawyering skills necessary, you should consider enrolling in the certificate/concentration program.  Many of the program courses utilize “active learning” techniques, requiring students to “role play” in a variety of real world litigation.  These scenarios are designed to assist students to develop the specific lawyering skills needed to be a successful trial attorney.

When Do I enroll?

Generally you enroll at the end of your first year when you enroll for your Fall second year classes (no later than the first week of your second year).  At the Program Director’s discretion, a student may be permitted to register for the program after your third semester of law school if there is a reasonable likelihood that you will be able to complete the program requirements in a timely manner.

How Do I enroll?

To enroll: Students must register for the Certificate/Concentration on-line as part of course registration during the Spring semester of their first year (prior to starting their second year).  Registration is accomplished by completing the on-line Certificate/Concentration enrollment form. Students already enrolled in the Program must submit an online notice of continued participation no later than the first week of their third year.           

How many of the 88 credits required for graduation will be used by the Certificate/Concentration program requirements?

The Certificate’s program requirements total 23 credits. The Concentration's Program requirements total 15 credits.

Is there a specific sequence I must take courses in?

While there is no required sequence in which to take the Certificate/Concentration courses, it is strongly recommended that you take Evidence in the Fall semester of your second year. Evidence acts as a  “gateway” course to the more advanced trial skills courses. It is highly recommended that you take Evidence prior to enrolling in the small skills classes.

What Clinics/practica satisfy the program requirements?

The following clinics/practica can always be counted toward the credit clinics/practicum requirement: Elder Law Clinic, Health Law Clinic, Immigration Clinic, Family Law Clinic, Taxpayer Clinic, Environmental Law Clinic, Legal Services Practicum, Lawyering III:Clinic, Securities Arbitration Clinic , Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and Criminal Defense Practicum.  Not all of these clinics are offered for 3 or more credits; you may have to take a combination of these clinics to earn the required credits) Read the course descriptions carefully!  If you are interested in other clinics or practica, or want to know if your Semester in D.C. placement will count towards this requirement, please contact the certificate director.

What is the Court Observation requirement?

In partnership with the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, each spring semester the program will offer several structured opportunities for students to observe various court proceedings in state court.  Experienced trial attorneys will act as guides for the students.  During each semester, the Certificate Director will announce the dates and sign-up procedure via the E-Docket and email. Priority will be given to third year students in signing up for the observation. However, if space permits, second year students will be allowed to attend on a first come first served basis.

How do I fulfill the Certificate’s writing requirement?

The certificate program’s writing requirement can be fulfilled through almost any seminar or independent study. The topic of the paper must address an “unresolved litigation related issue” (ie a topic that relates to the litigation process- in contrast to a substantive right that is being litigated).   After deciding on a topic with the seminar or independent study’s faculty, you must also receive approval of the topic from the certificate director.  The paper must satisfy the Law School’s Upper Level Writing Requirements detailed in the Student Handbook relating to papers for 2 credits. The concentration has no writing requirement.

What litigation simulation/practice courses must I take?

The program's trial advocacy requirement can be satisfied in two ways:  through any of the school’s trial advocacy classes or through the Mock Trial Strategy and Practice seminar (open only to students on the Interscholastic Mock Trial Team).  The mock trial requirement can be satisfied through participation in the Murray S Love competition or participation on the Interscholastic Mock Trial Team (with seminar).

How will I know whether I am on track or have fulfilled the program’s requirements?

It is the responsibility of each student to track his/her progress towards meeting the program requirements.  As a courtesy, the program director will maintain a program checklist for each student and each student will be asked to update the checklist periodically.

Contact

All of our prepared information about the Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program is on our website. However, if you have specific questions about the Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration program that are not answered on the website, please contact:

Professor Martha M. Mannix
Director, John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate/Concentration Program
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
3900 Forbes Ave, Ste 420
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 648-1390
mmannix@pitt.edu