Advanced Legal Writing: Public Interest Litigation

Catalog description

Public-interest litigation is often an uphill battle. Lawyers and clients representing public interests have difficulty prevailing even when their fact patterns are sympathetic, often because the law is either undeveloped or unsupportive. Yet when public-interest litigation does succeed it can yield profound, positive change for underserved people and causes. This class will focus on research and writing skills needed to litigate public-interest lawsuits. The class will employ readings, presentations, and class discussions to unpack analytical and rhetorical tools to persuade judges across the ideological spectrum. Students will also develop tools for interpreting and applying a wide variety of legal authorities and hone their ability to be clear and creative. Students will practice the skills they learn by preparing multiple drafts of two pleadings in a single case, and will receive detailed feedback on their writing from the instructor and their peers. Grading will be based on a Mandatory P/R/F system, taking into account writing as well as class participation. Early drop deadline: Students may not drop this course after first week of class. Students on the waitlist for the course will be admitted if spots are available on the basis of priority and degree program. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments.