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CIVIL PRACTICE SEM. - FEDERAL
(STATE AND FEDERAL PRACTICE - 3020)
(2 credits)
This course is the federal analogue of Civil Practice Seminar-State. The course is designed to give students experience in drafting the legal papers necessary to prosecute a civil action in federal court, including pleadings, amended pleadings, discovery requests, dispositive and non-dispositive motions, post-trial motions, and appellate papers. Assignments will be developed through hypothetical case files and will vary from time to time. Grades are based upon written submissions, oral presentations and class participation.
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INTRODUCTION TO LAW
(LEGAL METHOD - 1000)
(2 credits)
This course introduces methods and ideas that are fundamental components of the American legal system, with an emphasis on case law analysis and statutory interpretation. A passing grade requires regular attendance and satisfactory completion of several writing assignments.
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LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING
(LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING - 1010)
(2 credits)
The second course in a two-semester sequence, this course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to manual and electronic legal research and further develops their writing skills, focusing primarily on persuasive legal writing. The course also introduces a variety of other essential lawyering skills, including client interviewing, negotiation, and oral advocacy. Students will prepare various legal documents, including an appellate brief. Oral arguments are conducted at the conclusion of the course. Grades are based primarily on papers and oral argument.
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LEGAL WRITING
(LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING - 1030)
(2 credits)
The first course in a two-semester sequence, this course introduces students to legal writing and analysis. Grades are based primarily on the preparation of a closed-universe memorandum of law and a re-write of the memorandum. The course also includes an introduction to legal ethics.
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STREET LAW EXTERNSHIP PLACEMNT
(ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 6050)
(1 credits)
The Street Law Externship Program offers students the exciting opportunity to teach a practical law course to high school students in public schools in Queens and the surrounding area. While serving the Queens community, law students will develop practical legal knowledge, professional responsibility, and important lawyering skills, such as the ability to organize complex legal ideas and communicate them effectively to an audience of non- lawyers. Law students will teach weekly on subjects such as constitutional law, civil rights, torts, consumer and housing law, and family law. The professor will observe the students' teaching in the high schools and meet with them during the semester to discuss their performance. Law students will receive 1 pass/fail credit for their time teaching in the classroom. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Street Law Externship Seminar. Interested students will be chosen for the course based upon an interview with the professor.
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STREET LAW EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR
(ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 6040)
(2 credits)
In addition to their teaching in the high schools, law students will attend a two-hour weekly seminar at the law school. The seminar will educate law students on the substantive and policy issues to be taught in the high school classroom. It will also introduce the law students to innovative and effective teaching methodologies appropriate for high school students. Law students will submit lesson plans and other written materials for the professor's review. The seminar will also include simulations, such as mock client interviews and negotiations, and student presentations. Law students will receive 2 letter-grade credits for the seminar. Grades for the course will be based on weekly written assignments, teaching performance, and participation in the seminar. The course must be taken in conjunction with the Street Law Externship Placement. Interested students will be chosen for the course based upon an interview with the professor.
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SUMMER EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR
(ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3060)
(1 credits)
The Summer Clinical Externship Seminar incorporates aspects of the General Clinical Externship Seminar and the Civil, Criminal and Judicial Clinical Externship Seminars with an emphasis on short written assignments, some of which are class-wide assignments and some of which are substantive-area specific, and group collaborative projects. Grades are based upon class participation, weekly written assignments, and a final student presentation. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Summer Clinical Externship Placement.