The Washington and Lee University School of Law is changing their curriculum drastically by making the third year of law school completely “experiential in nature.” The new curriculum will replace classroom instruction with “practice simulations, real-client interactions and the development of law practice skills” and will be implemented over the next 3-4 years.
This sounds almost like the written and oral advocacy (WOA) and legal research and writing (LRW) classes taken by most 1Ls, though real-client interactions is a nice added touch. I’ve been told by many 2 and 3Ls that WOA and LRW are the most important 1L courses because they are essential for most summer jobs, and they teach the skills attorneys need to practice. Now some law students will have the good fortune to receive practical training at both the beginning and the end of their legal education. It’s about dang time. I’m only left wondering when Boalt will follow suit.
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