University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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1Bractine Qllnurt Its Practice Court is one of the things that makes the course of the College of Law, U. S. C., a practical, worth-vvhile preparation for the active duties of a practicing attorney. That theory without practice is helpless and of no avail is almost a truism, yet many a young lawyer furnished just such an example of potential force that cannot be applied. The Practice Court is the experimental laboratory of our embryo Blackstones, a place for testing out and putting into operation theories and principles, a developer of initiative and resourcefulness. Mistakes are made, yes, inevitably, but they teach lessons and therein is the value of the practice court system, for if those same lessons are learned in our state courts they may well result in serious disaster not only to the tyro's profes- sional reputation and prospects, but to the interests of his client. The system is progressive. During his First year and while he is learning elementary principles, the freshman is required to be present as a witness or client at fourteen trials. At the beginning of his second year he is given a set of ques- tions that bring out necessary points in pleading and practice, and when these are answered correctly he is admitted as an attorney of the Practice Court. He is then assigned to the prosecution or defense in four different cases in which he must himself prepare all pleadings, follow the necessary procedure and conduct his side of the case through a trial. These cases are conducted with all the for- mality of real courts and are presided over by practicing lawyers. The first cases involve divorce, slander, nuisance. etc. During the last or senior year, four more cases are prosecuted or defended. These involve more difficult principles and include a criminal case and the complete probating of a will with all the steps. Each senior is also required to carry two of his cases to the Supreme or Appellate Court. The sessions of the Practice Court are held each Tuesday evening, when there are as many as fifteen departments in session at once, ranging from the justice Court to the Supreme Court. The friendly rivalry between the students, the incentive to win, fosters an interest in the work that is of incalculable value and is producing splendid results. Much of the success of the practice court is due to the efforts of Pat Mil- likan, who has had it in charge for some five years. Xlhen he entered the army at the beginning of the second semester, his place as Clerk of the Court was taken by Harry Keithly. Get your trial brief tiled by Saturday. The organization of the Practice Court follows: Kemper B. Campbell, LL.M., Presiding Judge. Harry Keithly, Clerk. Appeals Gavin VV. Craig Cjudge, Suprior Court, Los Angeles Countyl. Frederick XV. Houser tludge, Superior Court, Los Angeles Countyj. Judges R. W. Heffelfmger, L Ewald Selph, LL.M. O. R. VV. Robinson, C. L. Bagley, LL.B H. N. Wells, LL.M. L.B. A. A. Kidder, LL.B. Ralph Chase, LL.B. LL.B Thos. Wfhite, LL.B. J. M. Wfright, A. Perry Backus, LL.B. 23 XV. S. Allen, A. B., B. D. Wlalter Bowers, LL.M. A. L. Bartlett, LL.B. Richard J. O. Culver, LLB

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FRANK M. PORTER, AIS., LL. M.. Dean of the College of Law, Instructor in Personal Property, Bailments and Carriers, and Evidence 26