Course Outline
(instruction in English)
General information:
Course Instructor: Philip (Phil) K. Safar JD, LLM.
Superior Court Commissioner, Washington State, USA
Contact info/office hours: email. Phil@SafarLaw.com
Course time and location: April 1-3, 2025
Hours per Week: Daily, 3-4 hours/day
Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory and will be taken at the beginning of each class.
Course schedule:
April 1, Tuesday: 13,00-17,00 (Room A204)
April 2, Wednesday: 14,00-17,00 (Room A303)
April 3, Thursday: 13,00-16,00 (Room A204)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Over the course of two weeks, learn a basic understanding of the adversial process practiced in the USA, introducing basic pre trial and advocacy techniques, frameworks and models, goals, in a Socratic method of instruction, using exercises, video clips, handouts and personal interaction, culminating in a mini mock trial.
By the end of the course, the objective will be for you:
• to have competence and confidence in a courtroom setting;
• to master basic trial skills; and
• to be able to competently conduct portions of a mock trial case and gain an appreciation for the art of advocacy.
Bio
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Civilian education
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University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA
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J.D. (Law)
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1986
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University of Rochester | Rochester, NY
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B.A. (History)
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1982
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Work Experience
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Washington State Superior Court, Douglas County Court Commissioner;
Judge Pro-Tem/Pro Tem Court Commissioner in Chelan County WA (Case types include: family, probate, juvenile, criminal and civil)
Safar Law Office, P.S. | Owner | Wenatchee, WA 1996-2024 (Emphasizing: immigration and naturalization, personal injury, estate planning, criminal and civil litigation)
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Military Education & Experience
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● US Army | Colonel, Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Reserve (Retired) 1988-2016; Served as Trial Counsel, Command Legal Advisor, Operational and International Law Attorney Military Education: Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army
● Judge Advocate, Officer Advanced Course, completion of L.L.M.
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Languages
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German – native speaker
Spanish – basic written and conversational competency
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Memberships & Community Involvement
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● Washington State Bar Association
● Washington State Association for Justice
● Former Chair, WA State Bar Association Legal Services to Armed Forces Committee
● Former Chair, WA Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Professional Responsibility Committee
● Former Rotary Club Member
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Skills & Interests
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● Commitment to educating on the rule of law and mentoring young attorneys
● Experience in community engagement emphasizing immigration advocacy
● Visiting Professor, Haramaya University, Ethiopia, 2019, Trial Advocacy
● Visiting Professor, Palacky University, Czech Republic, 2024, Trial Advocacy
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