New Courses

This fall, the University of Richmond School of Law offers several new courses. Stephanie Merritt, Department Counsel at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science and recently appointed to a judgeship with the General District Court of the Ninth Judicial District, teaches Scientific Evidence, a class that covers the technical and legal aspects of scientific aids in the trial of civil and criminal cases. Professor Shari Motro is teaching Sex, Mindfulness & the Law, a course that combines legal theory, mindfulness meditation and communication practices, and creative writing to examine issues of sexual culture.

Scientific Evidence

Professor Merritt's course on Scientific Evidence is a "where the rubber meets the road," practical class intended to prepare students to support or challenge expert scientific evidence in Virginia criminal litigation. She explained, "Because the vast majority of experts testifying in criminal cases are forensic scientists and medical examiners, the class primarily focuses on the services offered by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The goal is for the students to learn basic information about these disciplines that will assist in direct or cross-examination of this type of witness."

The course also features a number of scientific experts as guest lecturers throughout the semester. On Monday, September 8, Detective Buck Garner, a K-9 handler in the Louisa County Sheriff's Department, presented students with an introduction to scent trailing and a bloodhound demonstration. Professor Merritt explained, "Although there is certainly a scientific component behind scent trailing or tracking, the dog handler and bloodhound demonstration focused more on a really interesting area of expert testimony that was just too fun to skip."

After covering a range of topics, including the bloodhound's olfactory abilities, scent intoxication and trailing, and the effects of skin cells and types of sweat on trailing, Detective Garner recruited several students to participate in a dog trailing demonstration. Students handled a "scent article," a cloth used to "record" their scent, and then walked away from the group. After Garner allowed his bloodhound to smell the cloth, the class observed as the dog followed the student's scent around the law school parking lot until eventually locating the student.

"I have always enjoyed working dog demonstrations, particularly those relating to bloodhounds, and I just couldn't resist offering my students a chance to see something that most lawyers only get to hear about in the courtroom," said Professor Merritt. "Detective Garner is a respected K-9 handler who has trained on this subject all over the world. We were lucky to host him here at the University of Richmond School of Law."

Sex, Mindfulness, and the Law

Professor Motro's course uses legal theory, mindfulness meditation and communication practices, and creative writing to explore legal regulation of sex, with a special focus on the implementation of Title IX on college campuses generally, and at the University of Richmond in particular.

The mindfulness component of the course is open to the entire University of Richmond community. Mindfulness is a type of purposeful present-moment awareness that has the ability to reduce stress and increase focus and balance. In a professional or academic context, mindfulness can be used to cultivate equanimity and curiosity, become more disciplined, and foster positive group dynamics.

On Tuesday, September 16, the session hosted Aubrey Ford, an accomplished Richmond trial lawyer. Ford adopted the "warrior persona" early in his law career, but his fear of uncontrollable circumstances ultimately hindered his professional success. As Ford shed the "warrior persona" in favor of a more mindful life, he discovered how being present enhances personal and professional paths. Among other benefits, Ford's stress decreased, his examination of witnesses improved, and his empathy from jury members increased. Ford said that he became a more stable and grounded attorney. In return, his interactions with clients and other attorneys became more peaceful.

Introduction to Mindfulness sessions take place on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. in the Law School Commons and run through November 18, 2014. The series will present "Mindfulness in Mediation" with Millie Cain on Tuesday, September 30, and "Mindfulness in Learning" with Roger Mancastroppa will take place on Tuesday, October 28.