Law school success in a nutshell : a guide to studying law and taking law school exams /
Saved in:
| Author / Creator: | Burkhart, Ann M., 1952- |
|---|---|
| Edition: | 2nd ed. |
| Imprint: | St. Paul, MN : Thomson/West, c2008. |
| Description: | xv, 370 p. ; 19 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Subject: | |
| Format: | Print Book |
| URL for this record: | http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/6829210 |
Table of Contents:
- Preface
- Chapter 1. Introduction
- Chapter 2. Preparing to Enter Law School
- A. Readings
- 1. Nonfiction
- 2. Fiction
- B. Visit Your Law School
- C. Other Preparations
- D. Arriving at Law School
- E. Computers
- Chapter 3. The American Legal System
- A. English Roots: The Beginnings of the Common Law
- B. Other Influences on the American Legal System
- C. The Modern American Legal System
- 1. Judicial Branch
- 2. Legislative Branch
- 3. Executive Branch
- Chapter 4. What Do Lawyers Do?
- A. Generalist Training
- B. The Practice of Law
- C. Specialization
- D. Corporate Law Office
- E. Government
- F. Law-Related Institutions
- G. Business Career
- H. Other Career Paths
- I. Fluidity of Law Degree
- J. Pro Bono Commitment
- Chapter 5. The Study of Law
- A. Thinking Like a Lawyer
- B. Socratic Method
- C. Case Method
- D. Other Law School Instruction
- Chapter 6. First-Year Curriculum
- A. First-Year Courses
- 1. Civil Procedure
- 2. Constitutional Law
- 3. Contracts
- 4. Criminal Law
- 5. Criminal Procedure
- 6. Legislation
- 7. Property
- 8. Torts
- B. Legal Research and Legal Writing
- C. First-Year Sections
- D. Grading
- E. A Reminder
- Chapter 7. Finding Your Way Around the Law Library
- A. Case Law
- B. Case Digests
- 1. State Digests
- 2. Regional Digests
- 3. Federal Digests
- 4. Comprehensive Digests
- C. Legislation and Constitutions
- 1. Federal
- 2. State
- 3. Municipal
- D. Legislative History
- E. Administrative Law
- F. Legal Periodicals
- G. Treatises
- H. Legal Encyclopedias
- I. American Law Reports
- J. Restatements of the Law
- K. Law Dictionaries and Thesauri
- L. Citators
- M. Electronic Research
- N. Your Law Librarian
- Chapter 8. Preparing for Class
- A. Case Method
- B. Reading Cases
- C. Briefing Cases
- D. Case Brief Format
- D. Case Brief Format-Continued
- 1. Caption
- 2. Facts
- 3. Procedural History
- 4. Issues
- 5. Holdings
- 6. Rationale
- 7. Disposition
- 8. Concurring and Dissenting Opinions
- E. Sample Case Brief
- Chapter 9. Classroom Experience
- A. The Socratic Method
- B. Class Attendance
- C. Class Participation
- D. Class Notes
- Chapter 10. Learning After Class
- A. Daily Review
- B. Outlining
- C. Sample Outline
- D. Study Groups
- Chapter 11. Study Aids
- A. Hornbooks
- B. Subject Summaries
- C. Subject Outlines
- D. Case Briefs
- E. Computer-Based Exercises
- F. Exam Reviews
- G. Flashcards
- Chapter 12. Exams
- A. Preparing for the Exam
- 1. Substance of the Course
- 2. Form of the Exam
- 3. Study Schedule
- 4. Law School Policies
- 5. Anxiety and Procrastination
- B. Taking the Exam
- 1. The Night Before the Exam
- 2. During the Exam
- a. Reading the Instructions
- b. Reading the Questions
- c. Taking Notes
- d. Other Common Errors
- i. Misreading the Question
- ii. Ignoring Facts
- iii. Assuming Facts
- iv. Answering Questions That Have Not Been Asked
- e. Thinking Through and Organizing Your Answer
- i. Identifying Issues
- ii. Identifying the Legal Rule
- iii. Analyzing the Problem
- iv. Reaching a Conclusion
- f. Writing the Exam Answer
- i. Common Errors
- g. Form of the Answer
- C. After the Exam
- Chapter 13. Other Activities During the First Year
- A. Law Student Organizations
- B. Athletic Activities
- C. Lectures and Special Events
- D. Field Trips
- E. Law School Employment
- F. Take Time For Yourself
- G. Pro Bono Activities
- H. Values
- Chapter 14. Beyond the First Year
- A. Law Journals
- B. Clinical Education
- C. Moot Court
- D. Course Selection
- E. International Programs
- F. Joint Degree Programs
- G. Summer Clerkships
- H. New Adventures
- Sample Exam Questions and Answers
- Civil Procedure I
- Civil Procedure II
- Constitutional Law I
- Constitutional Law II
- Contracts I
- Contracts II
- Criminal Law I
- Criminal Law II
- Property I
- Property II
- Torts I
- Torts II
- Index