Upper-class Legal Research

This one-credit skills course builds on the research skills developed in the first year Lawyering course, with a focus on post-graduation legal practice and preparation for the Next Gen Bar exam. We will help students build on the research strategies they learned in Lawyering, but also teach them how to start with a set of facts and identify research questions to be addressed, the authoritative weight of relevant sources, and the search terms and strategies that are most efficient and economical in each situation. Central to both practice and NextGen Bar testing is the ability to effectively communicate research findings. This course will not only cover the research process and sources, but also teach students how to clearly communicate their research process and explain the results of their research. We will also include instruction on law practice technology, and on using Generative AI in legal practice. The class will be taught as a skills class, with significant class preparation, in-class hypotheticals, and simulation-type assignments. With an eye towards how research will be assessed on the NextGen Bar, we will also include many issue-spotting and research-process exercises. NOTE: This class counts toward the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT: A student who fails to attend the first class or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, will be administratively dropped from the class. Students who are on the wait list are required to attend the first meeting to be considered for enrollment.