Established in 2020, the Fitzsimmons Center for Litigation and Advocacy strives to train law students to become effective legal advocates by enhancing and expanding the litigation and advocacy curriculum at WVU Law.
The Center aims to provide additional opportunities for students to hone essential lawyering skills including understanding and analyzing the applicable substantive and procedural law while translating that knowledge into effective written and oral advocacy during the litigation process.
The Center is funded by a multi-year $1.25 million gift from the Fitzsimmons Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Fitzsimmons Law Firm.
Jessica Haught, teaching professor and interim associate dean of administration, serves as Director of the Fitzsimmons Center for Litigation and Advocacy. Andrea Johnson is the Center's inaugural Fellow.
2020-21 Priorities
In its first year, the Center will work on the following priorities:
- Establish an advisory committee, comprised of faculty and staff at the College of Law, as well as members of the bench and bar from around the state, to collaborate on ways to broaden the curriculum through specialized courses and training to advance students' litigation and advocacy training.
- Develop and seek approval for an optional J.D. curriculum component whereby law students can concentrate their studies in courses focused on litigation and advocacy.
