Advanced Legal Writing

Advanced Legal Writing - Professor Charlie Martel

Topic: Public Interest Advocacy

• Course Number: LAW-212
• Course Type: Highly Specialized
• Credits: 3
• Enrollment Limit: 16
• Description: In this course, students will refine their legal writing skills in a simulated voting rights lawsuit. The initial classes will provide reading and background on voting rights. Students will then get an introduction to the case. Students will draft two briefs (a short brief and a longer brief), a litigation strategy memo on possible arguments, and a brief. Facts will be developed throughout the course like a real case. The coursework will continue to build legal research skills. Since voting rights advocacy involves public policy, students will also draft an editorial/policy blog that will require making the legal issues accessible to citizens who are not lawyers. Students interested in writing a capstone paper in connection with the course should contact Professor Martel as soon as possible after registering for the course.
• Registration Details & Restrictions: Capstones in this course will be allowed with Professor Martel’s agreement only, and will be limited since the purpose of the course is to build skills by working on a simulated case. 
• Prerequisite: A Pass grade (P) or higher in both Lawyering I and II
• Evaluation Method: Students will be graded based on their performance on the series of writing assignments that will be given throughout the course. There will not be an exam for this course. 
• Capstone: limited and with professor permission. see above
• WIE: yes