To celebrate the start of Summer, we’re skipping the video intro. for this issue only

Unless of course we deviously hid a video somewhere below . . .

Regardless, our next video will combine the discussion of this syllabus with the syllabus for course #4 (mastering communication).

🎉🎉Enjoy your Summer! 🎉🎉

The Competent Practitioner:

Key Skills for Modern

Legal Challenges

- course #3 of The Whole Lawyer Program -

Course Description:

This course is designed for learners who are either currently in law school or in the early stages of their legal careers. It focuses on the core practical skills that every lawyer should master to effectively practice law.

The course covers a broad range of essential skills, from legal research and writing to client management and trial preparation.

Through engaging lessons, case studies, practical exercises, and peer interactions, learners will develop a robust set of competencies that are crucial for day-to-day legal tasks.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Conduct comprehensive legal research using both traditional and modern tools.

2. Draft clear, precise, and persuasive legal documents.

3. Effectively manage client relationships and communicate legal advice in an understandable manner.

4. Prepare thoroughly for trials, including organizing case files, managing witnesses, and understanding court procedures.

5. Implement time management strategies to enhance productivity and meet deadlines consistently.

Syllabus:

Chapter 1: Legal Research and Analysis

Lesson 1.1: Foundations of Legal Research

• Objective: Introduce the sources of law and fundamentals of conducting legal research.

Lesson 1.2: Advanced Research Techniques

• Objective: Explore online legal databases and advanced research tools.

Lesson 1.3: Analyzing Legal Problems

• Objective: Apply research skills to analyze legal issues and synthesize legal precedents.

Chapter 2: Legal Writing and Documentation

Lesson 2.1: Principles of Legal Writing

• Objective: Learn the basics of clear, concise, and effective legal writing.

Lesson 2.2: Drafting Legal Documents

• Objective: Practice drafting various legal documents such as briefs, motions, and contracts.

Lesson 2.3: Editing and Proofreading

• Objective: Develop skills in editing and proofreading to enhance the quality of legal writings.

Chapter 3: Client Relationship Management

Lesson 3.1: Building Client Relationships

• Objective: Understand the dynamics of lawyer-client relationships and effective communication strategies.

Lesson 3.2: Ethical Considerations and Client Confidentiality

• Objective: Explore the ethical obligations involved in managing client relationships.

Lesson 3.3: Handling Difficult Client Situations

• Objective: Learn strategies for managing challenging situations and difficult clients.

Chapter 4: Trial Preparation and Courtroom Practices

Lesson 4.1: Pre-Trial Strategies

• Objective: Organize and prepare case materials, including evidence and witness lists.

Lesson 4.2: Understanding Courtroom Procedures

• Objective: Familiarize with the procedural norms and practices of courtrooms.

Lesson 4.3: Effective Courtroom Presentation

• Objective: Develop skills for presenting arguments effectively in court.

Chapter 5: Time Management for Lawyers

Lesson 5.1: Prioritizing Tasks

• Objective: Learn to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.

Lesson 5.2: Avoiding Procrastination

• Objective: Identify strategies to overcome procrastination and manage workload efficiently.

Lesson 5.3: Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

• Objective: Utilize legal technology tools to streamline tasks and improve productivity.

Rubrics, Assessments and Feedback:

Rubrics for this course should create clear, measurable criteria that align with the course's learning objectives and foundations. This will ensure that assessments (chapter quizzes and final exams) are transparent, consistent, and objective, providing learners with valuable feedback on their progress.

Here is a sample rubric for Chapter 3:

For more on using rubrics to help assess and promote a learner’s proficiency, click here

Syllabus Development and How to Use

Consistent with the Train Better Lawyers ethos, this syllabus was developed through extensive research. This includes:

• review of the findings of IAALS’ Foundations for Practice project, including the Instructional Design Guide and the Hiring Guide,

• interviews and conversations with educators that are engaged in designing and delivering experiential learning programs to lawyers and law students,

• review of recent surveys of lawyers regarding professional development activities and initiatives,

• review of media (articles, blogs, podcasts) that discusses what skills are needed in today’s legal practice, and

• personal experience with the design and development of 14 online courses focused on teaching the skills, capabilities and mindsets that are needed in the modern legal function.

Regardless of this background, this syllabus is provided as an illustrative example of how such a course might be structured and should not be interpreted as a definitive course design for this topic. The content, including the outlined modules, learning objectives, lessons, and assessment strategies, represents one possible approach to fostering the skills and mindsets associated with being a competent practitioner within the legal profession.

Professional instructors and curriculum designers are encouraged to adapt, modify, or reimagine this syllabus to better align with their unique educational contexts and objectives.

Further, the methodologies, strategies, and assessment rubrics are suggestive and should be tailored to reflect the specific learning outcomes desired for the course.

Instructors are urged to consider the diversity of learning styles and the importance of inclusive teaching practices in the development and delivery of their courses.

Those using this syllabus as a guide for course development should do so with the understanding that adaptation and innovation are key to creating an engaging and effective learning environment.