This course will combine the substantive coverage of professional responsibility rules (Legal Profession) with an academic skills component (Reasoning and Rhetoric).

Legal Profession examines the activities and responsibilities of the lawyer and the lawyer’s relationship with clients, the legal profession, the courts, and the public. The course treats the lawyer’s fiduciary duty to clients, the provision of adequate legal services, and the reconciliation of the lawyer’s obligation to clients, in and out of court, with the demands of the proper administration of justice and the public interest. The course, therefore, provides essential preparation for the practice of law. Reasoning and Rhetoric uses substantive learning as foundation for working on academic skills including reading and briefing cases, time management, class participation, outlining, and exam skills. A special emphasis is placed on developing and reinforcing the ability to apply substantive law effectively in a timed examination setting.

Enrollment in Legal Profession/Reasoning and Rhetoric offered in the spring semester is limited to first year students only. This course will be offered for three credits. Each week, students will participate in a two-hour class meeting and a 1 hour small group session, the latter of which will be led by an Academic Achievement Program teaching fellow.

This course will satisfy the Legal Profession graduation requirement.

Students may not take Legal Profession/Reasoning and Rhetoric and any of the following: (i) Legal Profession or (ii) Legal Profession Seminar.