Experiences Of A Non Traditional Law Student
This is the most critical part of the entire case brief. Every year my professors give a small speech just before exams about how many students would have had an “A” paper but for the fact that they left out a critical component . . . the analysis of the issue! The analysis is the [...]
One of the most difficult tasks of legal case briefing is to extract the relevant facts from all the facts of an opinion. While this may seem fairly straight forward, it often is not. A fact is relevant if it is essential or helpful in determining the outcome of the case. The [...]
Many times the court will clearly state what the issue to be resolved is. But at other times it is not quite as clear. It is those times that you must be very cognizant of what is going on and what the court is really trying to resolve.
The issue of a case is [...]
Whether you decide to paper brief or book brief, there are certain, basic components you must include.
Issue(s) - What is the problem?
Relevant Facts - What is happening?
Rule of Law - What is the law to be applied?
Analysis - How do you apply the law to the facts in order to resolve the problem?
Conclusion - What [...]
Every successful law student must learn the fine art of briefing legal cases. I call this an art because there is no set method of case briefing that works for everyone. You must choose the method that works best for you. A legal case brief is not a legal brief in the [...]
Sometimes the decisions of higher courts seem just as rational as the title of this post. Many times I have been frustrated reading the opinions of the courts when I feel that they are completely wrong. The reasoning is flawed, relevant facts are excluded, and important policies are overlooked. Of course this [...]
A lot of law students feel that there opportunities are limited if they cannot make the top 10% of their graduating class. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Of course being in the top of your class would be great. But let’s face it, 90% of us won’t make it. [...]
There is a very good read on this post by Susan Cartier Liebel on her blawg. You should check it out.
Even if you are not contemplating on a solo or small firm career the article is still very good.
I just took my last exam today as I am sure many of you did as well. My brief sigh of relief was followed, however, by a gnawing feeling that I now have 5 weeks to wait and see how I did :) I am confident that what I had learned will show through on [...]
I am a BIG fan of open source software. As an avid (albeit armature) programmer I thrive on the idea of software for the public at no charge. A few years ago I came across a great office suit that rivals - indeed surpasses in my opinion - the Microsoft Office Suit. [...]