LLM Introduction to Legal Reasoning Research and Writing in the US

This two credit course is an introduction to the legal methodologies of practicing attorneys in the United States. Because the course is limited to foreign students seeking their LL.M., it emphasizes the development of legal reasoning and writing skills in an adversarial legal system, while simultaneously acquainting students with the legal resources readily available to attorneys in the United States, such as Westlaw, and Lexis. The first half of the course is devoted to short writing projects, e.g., motions, and memoranda, as might be created and used by a U.S. law firm. The second portion of the course, which immediately follows the first, is devoted to the creation of a brief on a current issue. In addition, the students are required to orally argue at least three times. Professor Larson plans to invoke a rule penalizing students for lack of preparation and/or excessive absenteeism.