NEW ORLEANS – Laura K. Gasiorowski, Esq. of Robert G. Stahl Esq. Criminal Defense Lawyers is again teaching the Pre-Trial Motion Litigation Intersession Bootcamp at Tulane University’s School of Law January 6 – 13, 2020. The program provides second and third-year law students of the school with practical pre-trial motion litigation experience.

Ms. Gasiorowski co-authored the curriculum and wrote the materials with Professor Herbert V. Larson, Jr., Executive Director of the Law School’s International Legal Programs and Executive Director of Graduate Legal Programs. She co-chaired the program with him until 2015, when Katherine Mattes, Director of Tulane’s Criminal Justice Clinic, took the helm. Ms. Gasiorowski continues to participate every year as an instructor, alongside other nationally known attorneys.  The program has grown over the years, providing students with intensive practical skills instruction rarely taught at traditional law schools.

Enthusiastic support from participants has garnered national recognition for Tulane University School of Law. National Jurist Magazine in particular identified Tulane Law School as one of America’s 20 most innovative law schools in 2012. Tulane Law School has become a model for other law schools looking to create similar programs.

This popular course provides instruction on criminal pretrial motion litigation, addressing:

  • Interviewing clients and witnesses;
  • Counseling clients;
  • Drafting pre-trial motions such as motions to suppress, motions to dismiss, and 404(b) motions; and
  • Arguing pretrial motions.

At the conclusion of a week of daily motion preparation and argument, interspersed with lectures and panel discussions, students brief and argue a suppression motion in the courtrooms of state court judges who volunteer to “judge” the law students’ performances in a mock motion hearing.

Ms. Gasiorowski earned her J.D. degree, cum laude, from the Tulane University School of Law in 1994. She is proud to have been involved in this groundbreaking program from its inception, and honored to be invited to return each year.