Welcome to the Advocacy Club Boot Camp on Substack's Webpage
Who are we?
John Hollander, civil litigator since 1978, founded the Advocacy Club. His bio is here. He has written over a dozen DIY training manuals for lawyers and paralegals, eight published by Irwin Law and the rest self-published. Details of publications can be found here.
Since 2007, the Advocacy Club has trained more than 1,000 lawyers (law students, articling students, lawyers and paralegals) in the fundamentals of trial advocacy. The in-person and Zoom versions of the Boot Camp are described here.
Now, starting in 2023, the Advocacy Club offers its training in a DIY format using the Substack platform, here.
The Advocacy Club offers a series of formula-based techniques that trains its participants to:
Since 2007, the Advocacy Club has trained more than 1,000 lawyers (law students, articling students, lawyers and paralegals) in the fundamentals of trial advocacy. The in-person and Zoom versions of the Boot Camp are described here.
Now, starting in 2023, the Advocacy Club offers its training in a DIY format using the Substack platform, here.
The Advocacy Club offers a series of formula-based techniques that trains its participants to:
- Question clients and witnesses methodically.
- Analyze their case from all sides to form an opinion and plan the strategy to persuade the decision-maker.
- Break the theory of their case into its component parts to gather and sort evidence, to choose and prepare their witnesses and themselves for trial.
- Prepare for and conduct effective pre-trial examinations (discovery, depositions, cross-examinations on affidavits).
- Prepare for and conduct effective direct examinations.
- Prepare for and conduct effective cross-examinations.
- Identify, establish and exploit the applicable standards of care (whether arising in tort, in contract, or by law).
- Prepare and deliver persuasive legal argument.
- Improve their public speaking.
How do we train lawyers from a website?
The Advocacy Club on Substack consists of several discrete 'lessons', each presenting one technique that the advocate needs to succeed in civil and administrative litgation. There are or will be several modules for each of the bullet-point subjects described above. As of January 15, 2023, there are 12 modules completed and published. Additional modules are published weekly.
Each module starts with a text presentation of the technique, including a detailed application of the technique using the fictional case of Goldilocks vs. The Three Bears. This segment is available free of charge to all subscribers.
As a bonus, each presentation includes an exercise that participants can try alone or with a colleague.
For a very modest monthly fee, the subscriber gets access to:
Each module starts with a text presentation of the technique, including a detailed application of the technique using the fictional case of Goldilocks vs. The Three Bears. This segment is available free of charge to all subscribers.
As a bonus, each presentation includes an exercise that participants can try alone or with a colleague.
For a very modest monthly fee, the subscriber gets access to:
- An audio podcast that provides more depth and detail to the technique.
- A case study, using Donoghue vs. Stevenson. This has fabrications of four witness statements, a case summary, exhibits and pleadings.
- Early episodes feature an unrehearsed demonstration of the technique by a law student, using the case study.
- In most cases, a PDF with an application of the technique using the case study.
Who should Subscribe?
If you've read this far, you should. Here is a 2-minute podcast to explain the benefits of the series. The link will take you to thhe AC on Substack platform. It won't bite!
The target market is huge:
The target market is huge:
- Geographically, all common law jursidactions where the adversary process governs dispute resolution.
- Professionally, all lawyers, paralegals, and law students who include advocacy skills as part of their toolbox. Transactions lawyers (solicitors, notaries, and non-litigating lawyers who want to improve their interview, analysis, and public speaking skills. Law teachers who want to learn techniques of 'experiential pedagogy' in this hands-on subject area.
Is it Worthwhile to Subscribe?
How much is it worth to you to learn one technique that improves your skills as an advocate? A few $? Well, that's all it costs to subscribe.
Now, how much is it worth to learn a comprehensive framework that treats information-gathering, analysis and strategic implementation as components of a single, holistic process? Consider the boost to your confidence as you apply your skills to the case instaead of wondering how to do things. This platform is TAAS - training as a service.
Check it out here. Sign up for a free subscription to receive each text presentation as it is published. Try it. You'll like it.
Now, how much is it worth to learn a comprehensive framework that treats information-gathering, analysis and strategic implementation as components of a single, holistic process? Consider the boost to your confidence as you apply your skills to the case instaead of wondering how to do things. This platform is TAAS - training as a service.
Check it out here. Sign up for a free subscription to receive each text presentation as it is published. Try it. You'll like it.