Building a strong base of legal writing, analysis, and advocacy skills is critical to success in law school and beyond. As a result, all students are required to take two courses in the Legal Writing Program during their first year: Legal Writing and Analysis during the first semester, and Introduction to Advocacy during the second semester. Students also take Legal Research during the first semester.
In Legal Writing and Analysis, students learn to perform legal analysis and engage in a variety of practical exercises, such as drafting objective interoffice memoranda and conducting client interviews. In Introduction to Advocacy, students continue to build on their writing and analysis skills and learn to serve as advocates for their clients. Students draft pre-trial and appellate briefs and conduct pre-trial and appellate oral arguments — the latter before a panel of attorneys. In addition, students obtain basic instruction in negotiation and engage in a mock negotiation exercise.
The six professors in the Legal Writing Program work extensively with students outside of class, providing individualized feedback on writing assignments and other course work. To facilitate instruction, the Legal Writing and Analysis as well as the Introduction to Advocacy classes are taught in small sections.
Shannon Moritz
Director, Legal Writing Program
Sean Anderson, Visiting Assistant Professor
Sara Benson, Visiting Assistant Professor
Victoria Hadfield, Visiting Assistant Professor
Eric Leach, Visiting Assistant Professor
Michael D. Murray, Lecturer of Law
