I wish I had advice....but most of it would have to do with things you have no time to do now.
My grand daughter has done mock trial for as many years as she could while in high shcool...even though she has no thoughts of being a lawyer.
Debate is wonderful training as is just plain public speaking and Toastmasters.
I guess I would just say focus on the question....and pretend anyone watching is just another cabbage head in the line up.
Break a leg...
Linda C

How about advice from a mock trial lawyer whose university teams went not only to regionals, but to the nationals? ;) By the way, I am so jealous you're doing the law school thing. I've run out time, steam, money, drive......... or I'm waiting.

Ok. Here are my best mock trial experience ideas. Know the "laws" the best you can, that can get you back on track better than anything. That said, here is the process of questioning: 1) Make a mental note of where you were when you got interrupted; 2) verbalize the succinct reason for what you're doing to the judge (avoid answering the other team and do NOT thank the judge for their judgement!!! rookie thing, but it's a habit with which most start); 3) look down in order to focus on what is in your head (and you look thoughtful when doing this); 4) recompose the mental note of where you were in your outline; and 5) jump back into your line. When you've been doing this awhile, what you'll notice is, you're already ready for the questions either from doing the case over and over, or from watching other teams do it, and you'll begin to use the question/answer as part of your outline. When you can do that, you're there, if you know what I mean. If you don't get to do the case repeatedly, practice outside of the trial.

Does this help?

rob333 - thanks you, and yes, that's a huge help!

I've got other practice sessions set up over the next few days with my TAs, study group and even DH - even though he doesn't know the subject, I figure he can critique me on style.

I've also been watching mock court videos on YouTube. Actually a big help in terms of structure and pacing.

Is this a mock appellate oral argument? If so, what I find most helpful is preparation and practice. I am relatively introverted and somewhat quiet, and definitely more of a writer than a talker. But I truly love oral arguments. There are three things that I find most effective in terms of preparation and practice: (1) having a very short 1 page outline of bullet points, with my key points in bold so that it's easy to take a quick look back at my outline after a line of questioning to see what point i want to make next; (2) taking time to think of potential questions and come up with answers and practice speaking them aloud; (3) practicing a short opening and short argument in the unlikely event that the judge/panel doesn't ask many questions. It's hard to say which of those 3 is most helpful if you don't have time to do all of them. #1 eases the nerves during the argument even if you don't use it. #2 helps tremendously in terms of practicing and refining your answers (when preparing for my first real oral argument i realized that my answers were initially way too long, and i needed to tri them before the real argument). And #3 is very helpful if the judges are not very active questioners (you will have something to say), and also helps you practice making your points out loud.

Assuming this is a mock appellate oral argument, you should expect to spend more time answering questions than giving a monologue. In that sense, it is very different from a closing argument or opening statements in trial. If you go in expecting to make a speech, the questions are more likely to derail you. If you go in expecting to answer questions and try to squeeze in your own points in between questions, you will be more relaxed and ready to answer the questions. In my experience, most real life arguments involve more question answering (even if the judges are very polite about it) than speech-giving.

Some courts of appeals put the transcripts of oral arguments online; I know the 9th circuit does. Listening to some of those may help. Good luck!

Looking back at my response, I don't think my suggestion #2 was entirely clear. If I have time, I actually write out questions and answers in a word document, with questions in bold and answers in regular text, so that I can refer back to them. The goal is to be able to convey the point in my answer as succinctly as possible without referring back to the notes.

robin dc - perfect advice, thanks!! Yes, this is an appellate argument.

I had another practice run-thru the other night and it went very well - they said I answered the question directly and well and knew the laws and cases. The only blip was nerves and saying "um" when I was thinking. Having very little public speaking experience, I had no idea I did this, because I apparently don't in normal conversation.

Have another practice tomorrow with my study group, so they'll be instructed to alert me every time I do it. I doubt I'll be able to completely eliminate it by Tuesday, but hopefully can at least lessen the number of times.

I attempted a post yesterday so I might look silly if it pops up later.

Good to hear you know your information. Nerves are classic and fairly easy to deal with. In the long run look at taking an acting class. Meditation is also a good way to prepare yourself for a presentation. A class in public speaking also helps. I'd check the local community college for an adult ed class.

When I'm on stage I don't focus on the audience clearly. No faces just a group of people over there. I am totally relaxed and comfortable in my shoes. My energy is saved for the presentation. No more difficult then asking someone to pass a dish at dinner time. Some people practice in front of a mirror speaking to themself... a good time to catch unwanted habits like tugging at clothing or flipping hair. No need to be a robot... let you be you to a professional extent. In many courtrooms everyone knows everyone with the parties represented being the only strangers.

Wear shoes you are comfortable in. Practice just standing in them enjoying the firm contact with the ground. Your "spot"... your ground... your show.

Now go knock'em dead!

: )
lyra