LLM831 Legal Research

[2–0, 2 cr.]

Legal Research is a required first-year course that teaches students the basic techniques of legal research and analysis—essential tools of the lawyering profession. The course is based on introducing case briefing, case synthesis, and analysis through a series of research assignments. Students learn how to research legal issues, frame legal arguments, and analyze legal problems. In addition to learning traditional research methods, students are also trained to use computer-assisted legal research including Lexis and Westlaw. This full-year course culminates in an oral argument in a simulated court setting, during which each student argues a motion based on a brief written by the student.