Law School & Legal Careers
The first year of law school, often considered the most demanding, is commonly called this.
What is 1L year?
A lawyer asks a question designed to make the witness give a specific answer.
What is leading?
Stimulus:
The parking lot was completely empty. Therefore, the office building must be closed.
Question:
Which of the following expresses the conclusion of the argument?
A. The parking lot was empty
B. The office building exists
C. The office building must be closed
D. No employees were present
E. The office is usually busy
What is answer C?
This legal career involves advising companies on mergers, contracts, and compliance.
What is corporate law?
A question that calls for theorizing rather than facts the witness knows firsthand.
What is speculation?
Stimulus:
This policy successfully reduced crime in another state, so it will reduce crime here as well.
Question:
The argument assumes which of the following?
A. Crime reduction is permanent once achieved
B. The other state has higher crime
C. The laws of the two states are sufficiently similar
D. All policies reduce crime
E. Crime rates are unpredictable
What is answer C?
This teaching method, based on cold-calling and case discussion, dominates most law school classrooms.
What is the Socratic Method?
A witness is asked about what someone else said outside of court to prove the truth of the matter.
What is hearsay?
Many law students gain experience during summers by working in these positions, often unpaid or competitive.
What are legal internships or clerkships?
A lawyer asks multiple questions at once, confusing the witness.
What is a compound question?
This legal professional often focuses on research and drafting opinions rather than representing clients in court.
What is a judicial clerk?
A lawyer asks a witness to testify about the contents of a written contract, even though the original document is available and not introduced into evidence.
What is best evidence rule?