Writing for Judicial Clerks

SLN #: 46113
Course Prefix: LAW-791
Course Section: D01
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor(s): Langenfeld
Course Books: View List of Books

Course Description:
This course will meet at the Downtown Campus in the Cronkite Building Room 124. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:10 pm - 8:15 pm July 7 - 30.

The class is limited to ASU JD Candidates - Enrollment will be determined through a lottery.

This course focuses on an advanced topic of legal writing, the writing done by judicial clerks and judges. The course structure will incorporate (1) lectures and short exercises, (2) frequent guest speakers, and (3) multiple written assignments (such as a bench memorandum and a judicial opinion). We will examine and practice the structure, analytical and rhetorical techniques, and tone of both trial court and appellate court documents. Through assigned readings and guest speakers’ insights, we will discuss the experiences of being a judicial clerk and being a judge, questions of ethics and professional development, and “hot topic” issues currently facing the judiciary. Although the course has an obvious appeal to students who hope to be judicial clerks, all students can improve their writing abilities through this writing-intensive course.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 2
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes
Skills Requirement: Yes
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Prerequisite: Successful completion of two semesters of 1L legal writing
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Limited Enrollment Number: 16
Final Exam Given: No
Participation Points: Yes, consistent with College policies
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.