Course Details

ALW: Introduction to Judicial Writing

This course will introduce students to the writing process that judges and law clerks use to decide cases and communicate with the public through orders and opinions. Students will learn about the mechanics of judicial writing, including how it differs from advocacy, as well as the ethical rules and practical considerations that guide judges and law clerks. Students will develop and practice their judicial writing skills through graded and ungraded writing, editing, and critique assignments. This course is highly useful preparation for students who wish to serve as judicial externs or law clerks, or who wish to improve their advocacy by gaining insight into how courts reach decisions. Prerequisites: Communication and Legal Reasoning I and II. Students will be assessed on three graded writing assignments, as well as class participation which will include ungraded in-class assignments. One of the graded assignments will be a judicial opinion that will be suitable for use as a writing sample.

Catalog Number: LAWSTUDY 696
Additional Course Information: Experiential Learning,  Professional Writing


Course History

Spring 2024
Title: ALW: Introduction to Judicial Writing
Faculty: Brown, Janet Siegel (courses | profile)
Section: 1     Credits: 2.0
Capacity: 15     Actual: 15

Winter 2022
Title: ALW: Intro to Judicial Writing
Faculty: Brown, Janet Siegel (courses | profile)
Section: 1     Credits: 2.0
Capacity: 16     Actual: 15