THE SECOND YEAR
Advanced Research and Writing
Legal Drafting
During the second year, students take two additional courses and receive
advanced training in the research and writing skills needed by lawyers.
The first of these courses, Advanced Research, focuses on how to research
and analyze complex legal problems. Students may elect one of a number
of areas requiring specialized research skills, including environmental
law, international law, intellectual property law, labor law, or securities
law. In the course, students will learn how to locate and use specialized
reporters, legislative and administrative materials, and computer
data bases specialized to the field they have elected to study. Students
also discuss the costs of various types of legal research, and evaluate
their own work for its cost effectiveness. In addition, students focus
on how to use their research skills to locate factual materials or
materials from disciplines outside law. Finally, students continue
to polish their writing skills by writing two memos or briefs on an
advanced topic.
The other course required during the second year is
Legal Drafting. This course teaches the use of clear and unambiguous
language in lawyering. Students may elect a general practice section,
which may include assignments such as drafting simple wills, contracts,
and complaints. Alternatively, students interested in a particular
area of transactional law may elect a more specialized course in real
estate transactions, intellectual property, pre-trial procedure, or
commercial law.
Sample Advanced Research Syllabi
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