Legal Writing Curriculum

Legal Writing I

In their first year, law students take a four-credit course that uses the process approach to introduce legal research and citation, legal reading and legal analysis, and the principles of good writing. Legal Writing I classes are small, interactive classes taught by full-time faculty. Students research and write legal memoranda about emerging issues in the law and about topics that they are studying in their other first-year courses.

Legal Writing II

In their second year, law students learn how to be advocates. They focus on persuasion as they write trial and appellate briefs and make oral arguments. Using the actual lower court record from a case that is currently pending in the Washington State Court of Appeals, students research and write a brief in support of a pre-trial motion; argue that motion; research and write an appellate brief; and then argue their brief before a panel of attorneys acting as appellate judges.

Advanced Classes

In their second and third year, law students can also take advanced legal writing and researching classes. The curriculum includes drafting labs that train students how to draft “real life” legal documents such as contracts, wills, and leases. An advanced writing seminar allows students to further develop their skills in effective persuasion and in the use of an elegant, clear style. An advanced legal research class, students further explore the ever-increasing number of print and electronic legal resources.