The Language of Law School Learning to “Think Like a Lawyer” by Elizabeth Mertz
Harry 19 March
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Think Like a Lawyer” by Elizabeth Mertz
Introduction
The purpose of this project is to conduct a research on how law students learn the language of law school, called the Legal Language of the Law School Classroom (LLSC), and its cognitive consequences for their educational achievement. The data for this study was collected by videotaping law students’ classroom discourse during class discussion and observation of law class lectures given by three different professors from different schools in the United States.
Research contribution
This research contributes to a larger body of work that investigates legal language and its pedagogical impact in contemporary education systems, especially pertaining to teaching legal texts. Legal language studies have focused on English alone or have made special reference to U.S. English usage by framing them in terms of attitude towards legal norms and legality.
In this study too, I have narrowed my focus to the LLSC only because no broad context is available in which to examine other similarly situated users who may serve as comparators (or contrastive terms) in terms of their perceptions and understanding of ethical principles or legal issues at stake in different contexts.
Think Like a Lawyer Book
Learning to “think like a lawyer” may seem like a daunting challenge, especially if you're unfamiliar with the legal vocabulary and culture. This text aims to teach students to read and understand legal language more effectively by using traditional concepts of legal education and pedagogy as foundations for teaching about law in the classroom. Note that this book is not a course reader or study guide; it is intended to serve as a text for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of law school pedagogy.
Book For Law Students
“Think Like a Lawyer” is the mantra of new law school students and their professors. While it is true that there are commonalities between legal practice, law school learning and thinking like a lawyer are not synonymous.
Law students must learn to think like lawyers in order to succeed in legal practice. The process of learning to think like a lawyer begins with understanding what it means to be a lawyer. What skills do lawyers need in order to do their jobs? The next step is to acquire those skills by taking courses at law school, completing clerkships or volunteering at a legal organization.
Once the skills are learned, it is time for them to be practiced. Law students must learn how to write legal briefs and use the law library. They must also develop the skill of arguing by participating in moot court competitions and mock trials. Finally, they must be able to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues in order to build relationships and get work done. By practicing these skills
