UC Law’s Center for Advocacy empowers students to master real-world legal skills

The University of Cincinnati College of Law has announced that its former Center for Practice will now be known as the Center for Advocacy. More than a simple rebrand, the new name reflects the center’s commitment to preparing students for the realities of today’s evolving legal marketplace.

“This new name signifies our renewed focus on developing transferable skills in our law students,” said Jennifer Bergeron, director of the Center for Advocacy. “As market needs change, so should skill development. The Center for Advocacy will unify the experiential learning opportunities that help our students become effective advocates in any setting.”

The Center for Advocacy provides law students with both curricular and extracurricular opportunities to strengthen their professional skills and expand their networks. It houses the Moot Court program, where students refine their appellate advocacy skills—skills that translate well beyond the courtroom to professional settings across the legal and business sectors.

The Center is also home to the Trial Team, which provides students with the opportunity to practice important advocacy skills, from analyzing case files and developing case theories to arguing motions and trying cases.  These experiences build confidence and communication skills that serve students in any area of practice.

“This is an exciting moment for advocacy at UC Law,” said Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi, Nippert Professor of Law. “Under Professor Bergeron’s leadership, the newly renamed Center for Advocacy has quickly gained national attention, with our moot court teams winning major competitions, our mock trial program seeing unprecedented student engagement, and a student arguing a case before the Sixth Circuit this past fall. These successes reflect not only competitive excellence, but a renewed commitment among our students to advocacy across the legal system. I am eager to build on this momentum with Professor Bergeron as the Center continues to rise in prominence and impact.”

Cincinnati Law students can look forward to a range of experiential learning opportunities through the Center for Advocacy. These include participation in Trial Team and Moot Court competitions at both regional and national levels, as well as expanding opportunities within Cincinnati Law clinics and centers.

Students may also gain real-world experience through judicial externships with federal and state appellate and trial judges, or through legal externships with prosecutors’ offices, criminal defense organizations, law firms, and corporate legal departments.

Founded in 1833, the University of Cincinnati College of Law is the fourth-oldest law school in the United States, behind only Harvard, Yale, and the University of Virginia. With a legacy of producing influential leaders in government, the judiciary, major law firms, Fortune 500 companies, and non-governmental organizations, the University of Cincinnati College of Law is also a pioneer in legal education. It was the first law school to establish a center dedicated to the study of international human rights and is home to one of the most successful Innocence Projects globally, working to combat wrongful convictions.

Training lawyers for nearly two centuries, the law college remains steadfast in its mission to provide a top-tier legal education that inspires students to pursue justice and advance the role of law in society.