International Law Research . . . as Part of the J.D. Curriculum!

The Pacific McGeorge School of Law, by unanimous faculty vote, has converted its legal research and writing program into a two-year program entitled “Global Lawyering Skills.” The new program will begin in the fall semester of the 2009-2010 academic year. Students will have two years of required legal research, writing, and oral advocacy instruction. The first year will focus on case analysis, objective legal writing, client counseling skills, contract drafting, U.S. legal research, and international legal research. The second year will focus on persuasive written and oral advocacy, including trial briefs and arguments, appellate level briefs and arguments, which culminate in a campus-wide moot court competition. It will also includes further instruction in U.S. and international legal research. The school plans to add additional components in drafting pleadings, discovery, transnational contracts, and other skills-based instruction.

It is encouraging to see a law school rethink its legal writing mission to include international law research and subjects such as transnational contracts. Because our students face an ever-increasingly international world, our legal education must include international law and international legal research as part of what our students will need to succeed.

Hat tip to Stephanie J. Thompson of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

(mew)