The practice of law primarily involves understanding and resolving clients’ legal issues. While doctrinal courses teach the fundamental legal principles lawyers need to know, this course focuses on how lawyers use that knowledge to assess legal issues and advise clients. The primary objective is to simulate the practice of law, particularly as a young associate would likely experience it, whether in a large law firm or a small office. The substantive issues will be presented by clients of an actual law practice who are experienced business people at large, national and international organizations using simulated situations. Students will observe and participate in conversations with these clients to gather information about a legal issue. They will then consider the legal implications as well as possible responses and offer advice to the client about how to proceed. Issues will include both business law and the threat of litigation.

The curriculum focuses on two areas: 1) identifying the legal issues arising from a fact pattern; and 2) client communication. Students will interview clients, learn about their business or organizational objectives, identify legal issues, think through the range of options for responding to the situation, and then communicate their advice to the client. Client communication will include both oral and written communications, in traditional memos and by email. Students will be required to track their “billable hours”--the time they spend on each matter with descriptions of the work they completed that could be submitted to the client as a bill, teaching students to be efficient and cognizant of the time they spend on each issue.

Sections/Instructors

Frances Turner Mock
Fundamental Skills for the Practice of Law 549.01
Fall 2012
Sakai Site