Skills (LAW) (LSK)

LSK 900 - Legal Research and Information Literacy

Credits: 2

Taught in context, each topical section (Patent, Copyright/trademark, Social Justice, Traditional Practice) provides first year students an introduction to basic U. S. research tools and strategies including hierarchy of authority and primary and secondary sources of law. Students learn to develop coherent research strategies to locate information in line with information literacy frameworks. In additional to a graded research midterm and final, students must successfully complete 10 weekly research assignments and two research practicums. This course cannot be taken for an S/U grade.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 901 - Advanced Legal Research

Credits: 2

Advanced Legal Research is a survey of basic and advanced legal research tools and strategies for students to be efficient and cost-effective researchers, no matter what area of law will be practiced. Legal Practice technology will be incorporated into the curriculum along with various research tools to be explored, evaluated and compared. This course will utilize a mix of techniques including lecture, active learning activities, hands on techniques, and evaluation/comparison. Students will be evaluated throughout the semester with a culminating final assessment.

Prerequisite(s): LSK 900 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 903 - Advanced Trial Advocacy

Credits: 3

Students compete in one of two national trial advocacy competitions during the late winter. You will intensively prepare and conduct a trial with experienced coaches. One regional competition is held in mid-February and the other in late February. National finals (if a team advances) are held one month later. Practice rounds are held before a variety of local judges. UNH Law competes against trial teams from law schools throughout New England. Eligibility: 2Ls and 3Ls. Prerequisites: Evidence & Trial Advocacy. Instructor permission required to enroll. Course enrollment:12 students. Course format: competition. Grading: other (see syllabus), 100%. No S/U grade.

Prerequisite(s): LGP 924 with a minimum grade of D- and LSK 928 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 907 - Legal Residency

Credits: 4

During a legal residency, students apply classroom knowledge in real-world legal setting by working under the supervision of attorneys and other professionals. Throughout the residency semester, students build skills, personal characteristics, and professional competencies essential to success. Students work in a variety of settings including in state and local government agencies, law firms, judicial chambers, non-profit organizations, or corporations.

Prerequisite(s): LGP 951 with a minimum grade of D-.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Law Satisfactory/Unsatisfactry

LSK 919 - Legal Analysis and Writing 1

Credits: 2

This course introduces the fundamental analytical and writing skills used by practicing lawyers. Students learn how to: 1) Read, comprehend, analyze, and synthesize legal issues and authorities; 2) Apply facts to legal issues and authorities; 3) Organize coherent predictive analysis using conventional legal structure and format; 4) Understand and accurately use legal citation; 5) Write clearly and concisely; and 6) Participate as a professional in all stages of the writing process. Students research, write, and format several objective interoffice memos of varying lengths over the course of the semester. This course cannot be taken for an S/U grade.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 920 - Legal Analysis and Writing 2

Credits: 3

This course builds upon and reinforces the goals of Legal Analysis and Writing I, adding persuasive writing and speaking. Lawyers need to be persuasive in their written words and when speaking with others. In addition to practicing and achieving higher proficiency in the six goals for Legal Analysis and Writing I, in successfully completing this course, students learn how to: 1) Organize coherent persuasive analysis using conventional legal structure and format; and 2) Prepare and present an oral argument. In this course, students write a persuasive memo to a trial court, completing a graded outline, first draft, and final brief. Students then prepare and present an oral argument to outside judges in a courtroom setting. This course cannot be taken for an S/U grade.

Prerequisite(s): LSK 919 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 921 - Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research I

Credits: 3

This course introduces the fundamental research, analytical, and writing skills used by practicing lawyers. Students learn how to: 1) Identify, locate, and know how and when to use primary and secondary sources of law, and how to validate them; 2) Develop coherent research strategies to client presented legal problems; 3) Read, comprehend, analyze, and synthesize legal issues and authorities; 4) Apply law to facts; 5) Organize coherent predictive analysis using conventional legal structure and format; 6) Understand and accurately use legal citation; 7) Write clearly and concisely; and 8) Practice professional expectations. Students research, write, and format several objective interoffice memos of varying lengths over the course of the semester.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 922 - Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research II

Credits: 3

This course further develops and reinforces the goals of the Legal Analysis Writing and Research I, adding persuasive writing and oral advocacy. Building on the skills from LAWR I, students learn how to: (1) organize coherent persuasive analysis using conventional legal structure and format; and (2) prepare and present an oral argument. Specifically, in this course, students write persuasive memos to trial courts and argue their motions to their peers, and to outside lawyers and judges. This course cannot be taken for an S/U grade.

Prerequisite(s): LSK 921 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 924 - Negotiations Workshop

Credits: 2

In this interactive workshop, students will identify and learn different theories and types of negotiations. Negotiating effectively is important in any profession, but it is critical for attorneys to sharpen and hone these skills for the benefit of clients. Negotiations occur at all levels of an attorney's practice, whether that practice is in a small firm environment, in litigation, in a corporate setting, or working with a governmental entity. Students will apply their negotiation skills to a variety of situations. Class time will be divided between discussion of selected readings, interactive negotiations, and guest attorneys who will discuss some of their own negotiated agreements. Class attendance and participation is mandatory Course enrollment is typically limited due to the nature of simulations.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 925 - Policy Considerations in Evolving Areas of the Law

Credits: 2

Technology regulation is expanding in both scope and geography, and becoming inextricably linked with national security and politics. This course explores how the judicial, legislative and executive branches grapple with commercial and government interests in developing policy with respect to antitrust, patent, copyright, privacy, data, and security issues. The course will enable students to explore various perspectives related to policy-making, and will feature a series of speakers representing the different branches of government, lobbyists, and private companies in their respective approaches to the development and applications of technology-related legal fields.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 927 - Intensive Trial Advocacy Program

Credits: 2

The Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) is a multi-part, full-immersion program where students will learn the goals of trial advocacy. The methods for achieving those goals will include: case analysis; direct and cross examination; admission and use of exhibits; opening statements and closing arguments; witness preparation.

Grade Mode: Law Satisfactory/Unsatisfactry

LSK 928 - Trial Advocacy

Credits: 3

Sections of this course are taught by judges and experienced trial attorneys. This course provides a foundation for the development of the variety of skills necessary for effective trial advocacy no matter what the forum. Development of a theory of a case, file organization and pretrial preparation are emphasized, as well as the more traditional oral trial skills such as closing argument and cross-examination. Students regularly participate in exercises simulating segments of civil and criminal trials. This course cannot be taken for an S/U grade.

Prerequisite(s): LGP 924 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 929 - Intensive Deposition Advocacy Program

Credits: 1-2

The Intensive Deposition Advocacy Program (IDAP) is a multi-part, full-immersion program, which will teach the skills of taking and defending a deposition. A deposition is an information gathering tool that is utilized during the course of litigation. In this “learn by doing” course, you will have several short lectures, but the bulk of the course will be performance based. In other words, we will simulate the deposition setting and you will actually take and defend the deposition of a fact witness.

Grade Mode: Law Satisfactory/Unsatisfactry

LSK 934 - Legal Residency

Credits: 11

Prerequisite(s): LGP 951 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Law Satisfactory/Unsatisfactry

LSK 940 - Moot Court Board Advisory

Credits: 1

Moot Court Advisory Board members are typically third year students, selected by the outgoing Moot Court Board during the Spring semester. Board members are responsible for organizing, coaching, and developing the moot court program from year to year. The class is a year-long commitment. Moot Court Board Members select the upcoming year's moot court competitors and determine the teams. Each Board Member coaches a team, often for the same competition that the Board Member competed in during the prior year. The coach supports the team’s writing of the competition brief; provides feedback as competition rules allow; organizes and conducts rigorous oral argument practice for competition preparation; communicates with the board's Chief Justice about team progress/needs; works with law school staff to register the team and develop travel plans. Board Members organize the intramural competition in the Fall Semester and assist the Chief Justice of the Board in any additional duties. Board Members use their leadership, organizational, and analytical skills to continually improve this student run advocacy program.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Law Satisfactory/Unsatisfactry

LSK 943 - Appellate Advocacy

Credits: 2

Appellate Advocacy is a writing intensive course designed to teach the different components of appellate brief writing, as well as effective appellate oral advocacy. One or two case problems (depending upon the particular professor) are assigned throughout the semester, modeled after actual court cases. Students will be taught how to master the facts of a case, the rule of law applicable to the particular legal problem, and the policy underpinning the rule of law. Paramount goals of the course include professionalism and instructing students on clear, persuasive, organized, and strategic written and oral communication skills necessary for effective legal advocacy. While AA focuses on the appellate practice setting, the written and oral advocacy skills students will acquire are applicable to all settings of legal practice. Grading will be based on one or two appellate briefs, oral arguments, meaningful class participation and other assignments. This course cannot be taken for an S/U grade.

Prerequisite(s): (LSK 919 with a minimum grade of D- and (LSK 920 with a minimum grade of D- and (LSK 900 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 945 - Judicial Opinion Drafting

Credits: 2

This course is designed to appeal to students planning to either participate in a legal residency with a judge or to enter the market for a judicial clerkship. Students critically discuss the theories of case resolution articulated and applied by prominent jurists, develop their own theories of case resolution, identify and consider the varying audiences for trial and appellate court orders and opinions in both the state and federal court systems, and draft and polish a well-written and principled opinion that they can use as a writing sample when applying for a legal residency position or a judicial clerkship.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 948 - Legal Residency

Credits: 6

Prerequisite(s): LGP 951 with a minimum grade of D-.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.

Grade Mode: Law Satisfactory/Unsatisfactry

LSK 949 - Legal Residency Class

Credits: 1

Through the legal residency class, students reflect upon, and internalize, the legal and professional skills developed through their legal residencies. Students: establish learning goals for the semester; apply attorney-client confidentiality and privilege concepts; submit weekly time sheets; write regular reflections regarding their experiences; participate in discussion forums and workshops on professionalism topics; engage in self-evaluation; and complete a final reflective project.

Prerequisite(s): LGP 951 with a minimum grade of D-.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to 4 times.

Grade Mode: Law Satisfactory/Unsatisfactry

LSK 950 - Pro Bono Scholars

Credits: 1

The course teaches essential lawyering skills applicable to pro bono scholars who are dedicating themselves to public interest lawyering through the NYS Pro Bono Scholars Program. That program allows students to take the February bar exam in their 3L year, and to spend March - end of May working full time in a public interest organization. The course also is offered to other students eligible for February Bar exams in states such as Texas. The course supports the students by focusing on issues such as: Informed Trauma, Implicit Bias/Cultural Competency, Working with Pro Bono Counsel, ethical practice and supervision and feedback.

Prerequisite(s): LGP 951 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

LSK 953 - Writing for Practice

Credits: 3

This course is designed to help second- and third-year students develop the kinds of writing, organization, critical thinking, editing and collaborative work skills essential to law practice and passing the bar. Students will work on multiple short (less than 5 pages) weekly assignments, engaging them in reading the law; conceptualizing, outlining, writing, editing, and revising legal documents; practicing writing concisely and clearly; researching and using samples, templates, and other practice-based resources; and working on related tasks. These assignments are designed to help students sharpen their ability to write any kind of legal document, using the appropriate format for the intended audience. The course will focus primarily on civil matters and will include some writing on criminal issues. The course's focus on essential skills, organization, analysis, doctrine, precision and conciseness, will transfer to writing in any legal setting.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 960 - Law Journal Staff

Credits: 2

Staff members on Law Review and IDEA will help prepare and publish issues of each academic journal by performing editing and cite-checking tasks as assigned by each journal’s editorial board and will write student notes, original pieces of legal scholarship contributing to the understanding of the legal field on topics of interest to each student.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

LSK 961 - Law Journal Editorial Board

Credits: 1-3

Editorial-board members on Law Review and IDEA will help prepare and publish issues of each academic journal by performing editorial tasks including reviewing and selecting articles, engaging in substantive and technical editing, interacting with authors, planning symposia and other events, developing and enforcing editorial policies, and supervising journal staff members.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading