preLaw - Back To School 2008 - (Page 12) A radical reformation W&L University is at the forefront of change in legal education, with a revamped third-year on the way BY MICHELLE WEYENBERG T aking initiative from his own experience as a lawyer and professor, Rodney Smolla is marching forward with his idea of “new curriclum” for Washington and Lee University School of Law third year students. The law school recently announced the plan to radically reform the third year of its law curriculum. What began as an idea touted among faculty members, alumni, students and members of the legal profession eventually turned into an action plan. The core of the new curriculum includes law-practice simulations and unlike the traditional one-grade at the end of the course, students will recieve on-going feedback throughout the year. Previously dean of the University of Richmond School of Law from 2003-2007, Smolla said he always thought law school was behind the game in terms of hands-on learning. “I was delighted by the initial reaction,” he said. “People were open-minded and thoughtful about it.” Students and administrators say it’s a positive trend, allowing more time and individual attention to assist a student’s career choice after law school. Experts have long known that the education of legal professionals is a complex process. And making sure students are taught the right things has been a persistent challenge for legal educators. It’s been more than 100 years since law schools have changed how they teach students in the United States, and there has h been a growing chorus from the legal profession to better prepare students for the p actual practice of law. a Smolla predicts that five years from now legal education will have changed. l “For a long time I thought that law schools should be more ambitious about s what we conceive our mission to be,” w Smolla said. “I thought for a long time that law school should be a bridge between theory and practice. As a law professor and dean, I’ve remained somewhat active in practice. I’ve seen that the experience makes me a better teacher and scholar. My instinct was that I found my own life as a lawyer and teacher enriched by going back and forth.” But several implementation challenges arise, including breaking the barriers of the long-standing conservative law school curriculum. The other is the concern of faculty development. It would require faculty to first communicate with and learn from each other. Authors have found that most law schools have made some changes to their curricula, dating back to the introduction of the MacCrate Report in 1992. The 2007 Carnegie Report, “Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Practice of Law,” said integration “can flourish only if law schools can consciously organize their emphasis through ongoing mutual discussion and learning.” “It was our conviction that this critique The core of the new third-year curriculum Focus on the client Realistic settings such as law-practice simulations and real-client experiences will replace the traditional classroom/lecture experience. Define what a lawyer is All students will be required to attend a new year-long Professionalism Program that explores legal ethics, civility in practice, civic engagement, leadership and pro bono service. Give immediate evaluation Dean Smolla Unlike the traditional one grade at the end of the course, students will receive immediate and ongoing feedback throughout the year. 12 preLaw
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