Widener Law Commonwealth's Intensive Trial Advocacy Program: Preparing Students for the Courtroom
Widener University Commonwealth Law School’s Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, known as ITAP, is a transformative, hands-on experience that prepares students for real-world legal practice. This immersive, seven-day program, held after final exams, provides students with essential courtroom skills, regardless of whether they intend to pursue a career in litigation.
Led by a distinguished faculty that includes Adjunct Professor and Externship Coordinator Liz Simcox and Magistrate Judge William “Skip” Arbuckle of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, ITAP offers students direct guidance from experienced trial attorneys, faculty members, and sitting judges. The program culminates in a bench trial before federal judges, including Judge Karoline Mehalchick and Judge Martin C. Carlson, giving students firsthand experience in trial proceedings.
“Even if you don’t plan to be a litigator, understanding the trial process and how to explain it to your clients is crucial for any lawyer," Simcox said. "The Intensive Trial Advocacy Program has been a signature experience at Widener Law Commonwealth since the school’s inception. If you talk to practitioners in our area, many will tell you, ‘Yes, I did ITAP, and it was amazing.’”
"It’s intense—that’s why it’s called the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program. For seven days, students are fully immersed in the experience of trying a case, gaining the skills and tools they need to handle a case from start to finish," she said. "It’s exhausting, but by the end, students consistently say, ‘This was one of the best things I did in law school.’"
Arbuckle echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the program’s value beyond litigation. “If you want to be a transactional or business lawyer, understanding how a case plays out in court is invaluable,” he said. “At some point, something you draft will end up in a courtroom, and ITAP ensures you know what to expect.”
Throughout the week, students engage in realistic trial exercises, including opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and evidence presentation. They work in pairs to build a case from start to finish, receiving detailed feedback from seasoned professionals. The program also includes expert lectures on trial strategy, examination techniques, and courtroom procedures, ensuring students develop both knowledge and confidence.
Third-year student Magali Gonzalez-Salas described ITAP as one of the most impactful experiences of her law school career. “From day one, you’re in the process. You’re handed case materials, paired with a partner, and begin crafting your case theory,” she said. “Every day, you work with seasoned attorneys who critique your performance, helping you refine your advocacy skills. By the end, you feel prepared and confident in a way that a traditional classroom setting just can’t provide.”
One of the program’s highlights is Arbuckle’s “Who’s Who” timeline exercise, which helps students map out their trial strategy. “That timeline approach gave me a clear structure that I’ve carried into my externship,” Gonzalez-Salas said. “It shows employers that I’m prepared and able to handle real legal work from day one.”
Beyond technical training, ITAP fosters camaraderie and teamwork, with students collaborating closely to develop and present their cases. The program also brings in guest lecturers from various legal backgrounds, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, and trial consultants.
“This course gives students the tools they need to step into a courtroom with confidence,” said Arbuckle. “It’s a demanding week, but it’s one that will set them apart as future trial attorneys.”
ITAP is a hallmark of Widener Law Commonwealth’s curriculum, shaping the careers of many practicing attorneys in the region.
For more information, students can contact Simcox or visit the Widener Law Commonwealth website.
