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Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution

A male attorney in a formal suit standing and gesturing with open hands while addressing a room in a wood-paneled courtroom setting.

Become the advocate you aspire to be with an education in civil litigation and dispute resolution from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Whether you are drawn to the dynamics of jury trials, the precision of appellate argument, or the strategy behind negotiation and international arbitration, we offer the training, mentorship, and opportunities to help you thrive. 

Through nationally recognized trial and appellate programs and unmatched experiential opportunities, our concentration in civil litigation and dispute resolution prepares future lawyers to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and arbitration halls around the world.

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The Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Concentration

If you’re a Juris Doctor (JD) student prepared to devote substantial effort to the study of litigation and dispute resolution, you can receive recognition through our concentration program. Through a comprehensive course portfolio, you’ll tailor your training to match your professional goals. Coursework emphasizes both doctrinal mastery and hands-on skills.

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Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Concentration Requirements

To earn this concentration, you must:

  • Take three core courses (LLEAP 3-Litigation or Appellate Practice; Evidence; and Alternative Dispute Resolution or Mediation Representation)
  • Complete at least three electives from the litigation/dispute resolution curriculum
  • Complete a research paper and an experiential capstone in litigation or dispute resolution

Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Curriculum

The following is a representative sampling of offerings. For the full list, please consult the Academic Bulletin.

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Basic Mediation Training
  • Civil Rights
  • Civil Procedure
  • Complex Litigation
  • Federal Courts
  • Employment Law
  • Expert Witnesses and Scientific Evidence
  • Evidence
  • First Amendment and Media Law
  • Human Trafficking Practicum
  • International Arbitration
  • LLEAP 3 - Appellate Practice
  • LLEAP 3 - Litigation
  • Mediation Representation
  • Negotiation in Sports Management
  • Pretrial Practice (Civil or Criminal)
  • Professional Responsibility: Litigation Ethics
  • White Collar Crime
  • Trial Tactics
Antonia Mysyk

“This program provided a structured environment to develop my written and oral advocacy skills from some of the best legal minds in our community. I continue to draw on the skills and relationships I developed through this program as I navigate my career. I highly recommend this specialty to any student who envisions a litigation practice and wants to develop a strong foundation and connections to start off their career.”

Antonia Mysyk (LAW ’24), associate at Elk + Elk

Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Expertise 

As a student at the law school, you don’t need to pursue the formal JD concentration to take advantage of our expertise in civil litigation and dispute resolution. Get to know a few of the centers and extracurriculars in which you can participate, including clinics and externships.

Advocacy Teams

CWRU Law’s advocacy programs provide you with hands-on experience in trial practice, appellate argument, and international dispute resolution. Our teams consistently earn regional and national recognition, reflecting the strength of our training and the talent of our students.

Moot Court and Mock Trial

Our Moot Court and Mock Trial programs simulate real-life cases, allowing you to both earn academic credit and gain trial practice experience. Participating in these teams gives you the chance to develop skills in evidence, trial strategy, examination, and persuasive storytelling. From winning the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition in 2024 to multiple appearances in the Tournament of Champions, our teams’ successes underscore the depth of talent within our student body and the high caliber of our trial-advocacy instruction.

Vis International Arbitration Team

CWRU Law competes annually in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, one of the most prestigious global competitions in private international law. This program prepares students for careers in international business law, arbitration, and commercial litigation. Our teams consistently place highly in both U.S. and international rounds. 

The Steven S. Kaufman Family Anatomy of a Trial Lecture Series

Our signature Kaufman Anatomy of a Trial Lecture Series brings some of the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers to CWRU Law to share the craft and strategy behind winning trials.

The series bridges the gap between theory and practice by offering:

  • In-depth looks at trial strategy, persuasion, and storytelling
  • Opportunities for student and practitioner engagement
  • CLE-eligible programming that attracts attorneys across the region

This series exemplifies CWRU Law’s commitment to preparing students not only to understand the law, but to communicate it persuasively in real-world litigation settings.