Law 792:  Writing for Law Practice

This course is for students who would like more opportunities to practice the critical skills learned in the first-year legal writing courses: analysis, writing, and advocacy. To simulate real-world law practice, students will complete both quick-turnaround and long-term assignments. These assignments, which will include objective and persuasive writing projects, will allow students to write for a variety of audiences and to use a variety of resources. Students will receive individual feedback on writing projects to help them prepare for the final project of the semester – a brief on a motion for summary judgment. 

For objective writing projects, students will learn an efficient process for analyzing legal problems and writing a well-organized, clear, and concise response for a client or supervisor. For persuasive writing projects, students will learn to craft strong arguments and devise compelling themes to effectively advocate for clients before the court.  Students will also learn about editing their own writing, creating personal editing checklists, and editing colleagues’ work. Class sessions will incorporate interactive exercises and writing labs.     

Sequence and Prerequisites: Legal Writing & Analysis, Legal Research, and Introduction to Advocacy.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on short writing assignments and a final brief.