Student Life
UWLA believes that a quality legal education is comprised of multiple components including in-class learning, involvement in student organizations, the advice of a mentor, extensive research, development of briefs, papers, and presentations, and adequate practice applying in-class learning to real-world clinical and courtroom situations. The School of Law encourages all students to enhance their legal education by engaging in non-classroom work that will provide them with practical training and legal experience and/or give them an opportunity to engage in scholarly work. Practical training is considered non-classroom work and credit is limited to a maximum of eight units, unless circumstances merit additional units. Students may petition the Faculty in those circumstances to seek additional non-classroom units. The Externship Program, Independent Study, and Moot Court are options that may be taken for practical training credit. EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM Students interested in gaining real-world legal experience working side by side with law professionals in local public agencies including the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, various city agencies, and local judges in both the trial and appellate courts should enroll for credit in the Externship Program. Working under the supervision of an attorney, students earning externship credit will learn how to interact with clients and solve practical legal problems. In addition to field-work, and written reviews of two hour-long videos related to legal ethics. Interested students must meet with the Director prior to registration to discuss individual interests and suitable placements. INDEPENDENT STUDY Independent Study is an opportunity for advanced students to pursue new and different areas of the law not covered in the standard curriculum. The student must petition the Academic Council for permission, submitting a detailed written proposal jointly prepared by the student and the professor supervising the project. Independent Study projects are awarded credit based on the amount of identifiable and pre-approved time spent in research and writing. Independent study units are graded on a pass/fail basis. MOOT COURT Moot Court gives advanced students the opportunity to participate in court competitions across the country under the direction of Professor David Glassman. Students receive practical hands-on experience by preparing trial and/or appellate briefs and writing and presenting oral arguments and receive practical training credit.
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