Practical Legal Analysis

Practical Legal Analysis - LAWN662

3 Credits

This course is a graduation requirement and fulfills part of the law school’s experiential learning requirement. Practical Legal Analysis (PLA) is a 3-credit graded course, required in the Spring semester of a student’s second year (or part time/Flex equivalent) that prepares students for the performance test portion of attorney licensing exams by developing advanced lawyering skills in a simulated practice environment. Students engage in a variety of performance tasks that mirror real-world legal work—such as drafting memos, client letters, and briefs—while refining their legal analysis, critical reading, and professional writing abilities. The course emphasizes the essential skills attorneys rely on in practice, including reading comprehension, synthesis of legal sources, and effective written communication. PLA also incorporates issues of professionalism and ethics that are commonly tested on licensing exams and encountered in legal practice. The course is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional performance, while building the practical competencies needed for success on performance-based assessments.