The purpose of this exercise is to give students a feeling for how media law cases are argued in the courts. Each team is to thoroughly prepare their case (both in favor of their side and in defense of their side). The format will be as follows:

1. Each side will make its opening arguments. In this phase, each side should argue the case from their perspective (defendant or plaintiff) to try to convince the judge (me) that your side should prevail. Each team should not only put forth their arguments for why the case should be decided in their favor, but should also anticipate the opposing argument. Make the case for your side and try to refute the other. An argument that can do both is stronger than an argument that only does the former.

In this phase one or more members of each team will make these opening statements orally. In addition, each team should turn in a written copy of the opening statement. A second copy of the opening statement should be presented to the opposing party.

2. After each side has made its case, court will adjourn and each team will be allotted time to prepare a rebuttal of the opposing case.

3. Rebuttals will then be made orally.

4. Steps two and three will repeat as often as each side desires.

5. After rebuttals are done, each team will be allotted time to prepare their closing arguments. This is the last chance for each side to summarize their argument and convince the judge that their position is correct.

6. Closing statements will then be made orally.

The order will be as follows:

Opening arguments: Plaintiff then defense

Rebuttal: Plaintiff then defense, then reversed each rebuttal round

Closing arguments: Defense then plaintiff

Each team is strongly encouraged to have all members of the team participate in the oral arguments at some point. Hopefully this case will give students the experience of preparing a media law argument and thinking on their feet about media law issues.

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