Motions Practice

Motions Practice is MDFAWL's new initiative designed to give less experienced attorneys, especially women, the opportunity to argue a motion in front of a judge in a 10-minute motion calendar hearing. During a 2-hour session in a physical courtroom, participants will argue mock motions provided to them by MDFAWL in front of either a sitting or retired judge, who will provide feedback to the participants following oral argument.

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In contrast to the Trial Skills Workshop, participants in Motions Practice are not expected to devote a substantial amount of time to prepare their mock arguments. Instead, participants in this program will concentrate on their oral advocacy skills. Although participation in Motions Practice is not a prerequisite to participation in the Trial Skills Workshop, attorneys are invited and encouraged to participate in both programs.

 

The program will be held once a quarter at various courthouses throughout Miami-Dade County. The subject matter of the motions to be argued will vary depending on the court hosting the mock motion calendar. For example, participants who elect the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida will argue a bankruptcy-related motion.

 

The first Motions Practice session is scheduled to occur on Monday, September 30, 2024, in the Circuit Civil Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse, 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33130. We encourage program sponsors and participants’ mentors to attend the oral argument and join the participants and judges after this inaugural session for a networking reception hosted by MDFAWL.