“Our goal always is to give students the skills to put wisdom and sound judgment to practice in the marketplace, and to do so with confidence. That is the Hamline Difference.”
Hamline University School of Law Dean Donald M. Lewis
Hear more from Dean Lewis about Hamline’s curriculum at www.youtube.com/user/HamlineLaw
Hamline’s Legal Research and Writing program was critical to my success both as a law student and in my practice at Faegre & Benson. The ability to be an effective researcher and writer in the practice of law cannot be overstated. I draw on these skills every day to research, draft documents, and craft arguments. In addition to research and writing skills, Hamline prepared me to be an effective advocate through oral argument — both at law school and in my practice at Faegre & Benson. ~ Amber N. Bowman ’08
Associate, Faegre & Benson LLP
Graduate with the skills
Get Skills Gain Experience Go Global There is nothing new about the need to bridge the gap between legal theory and practice. Our focus on a practical skills-based curriculum — whether through in-class instruction, legal clinics or practicums — has been a feature of Hamline School of Law for decades. What is new is the unsettled economy and how it is changing the market for legal services. Now, more than ever, employers are looking for added value — in terms of practical skills and experience — from law graduates entering the profession. Hamline has responded by reconfiguring our first-year curriculum, effective fall 2010. These changes ensure that Hamline students will better understand how to approach issues with international implications, and that they will enhance their skills in the areas of research and writing, as well as in
practice, problem-solving and professionalism.
A law student’s first year is the perfect time to lay a strong foundation for the successful practice of law with a global perspective. That’s why all Hamline students now experience the challenges and rewards of working with real clients with real problems in a worldwide context from the start.
and experience you need to hit the ground running.
Practice, Problem-Solving and Professionalism
An age-old criticism of legal education is that it saps students’ enthusiasm for becoming lawyers. Sure, legal education needs to involve time spent “hitting the books,” but it also should expose students to law as the art of problem-solving. That is the rationale behind Hamline’s new required course for 1Ls, “Practice, Problem-Solving and Professionalism” (or P3), which draws upon the expertise of Hamline’s nationally-ranked Dispute Resolution Institute. P3 introduces first-year students to the multiple roles of lawyers in society and provides practical context for the critical thinking 1Ls learn in the core doctrinal courses. This new offering does not involve case analysis, but uses a combination of lectures, discussions and interactive exercises to explore how lawyers effectively solve problems for their clients. P3 is a fun, hands-on and inspiring way for students to appreciate how attorneys translate critical thinking into action, and includes client counseling and negotiation activities. A strong emphasis on skills-based learning gives Hamline graduates a meaningful advantage in a tight economy.
Promoting an Ethic of Public Service Pro bono legal service is a long tradition within the legal profession. Hamline shares this public service ethic. We require 24 hours of pro bono service as part of each student’s J.D. education. Many Hamline students far exceed the 24-hour minimum, including Kate Hannaher (at right), who received the Minnesota Justice Foundation Student Volunteer Award for her stellar pro bono service. In addition to empowering people from disadvantaged communities, pro bono service is another critical way Hamline students gain practical legal experience so they can “hit the ground running” when they graduate. In fact, 95% of our 2009 graduates were employed nine months after graduation.
Legal Research and Writing: Keys to Professional Success As any lawyer knows, legal research and writing skills are absolutely essential to success. That’s why experienced, full-time professors teach these critical skills at Hamline. Students receive individualized attention in our small sections. And, through our tutorial program, they meet regularly with their LRW instructors for detailed feedback. Our program ensures that Hamline students excel at the art of legal research and writing and are capable and confident to complete tasks that employers require. Now we’re expanding our legal writing program into a third semester. The additional semester will enable us to reinforce good writing skills, which legal employers still tell us are in high demand and short supply. More attention will be focused on significant areas that include motion practice, transactional work and professionalism.
1L Required Courses (starting Fall 2010) DAY PROGRAM
WEEKEND PROGRAM
FIRST SEMESTER Civil Procedure I Contracts I Criminal Law Practice, Problem-Solving & Professionalism Legal Research & Writing I Torts I
FIRST SEMESTER Civil Procedure I Contracts I Criminal Law Legal Research & Writing I Practice, Problem-Solving & Professionalism
SECOND SEMESTER Civil Procedure II Constitutional Law I Contracts II International Law Legal Research & Writing II THIRD SEMESTER Legal Research & Writing III Property Electives
SECOND SEMESTER Civil Procedure II Contracts II Legal Research & Writing II Constitutional Law THIRD SEMESTER International Law Property Legal Research & Writing III Elective Course FOURTH SEMESTER Torts I Elective Courses
Learning Law for Our Shrinking World Today’s lawyer operates in a diverse and demanding global milieu. Hamline is one of the few law schools in the United States to include international studies as an integral part of the first year. This early exposure provides another key aspect of the “Hamline Difference.”
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Hamline’s International Law course provides an excellent opportunity to introduce basic concepts, such as natural law and territoriality, while reinforcing the law school’s commitment to ensuring that Hamline students are culturally competent in an increasingly multicultural society. The firstyear offering also provides stimulating preparation for students who are interested in any of Hamline’s international learning opportunities, including: • Hamline’s international law curriculum provides students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to practice in a global setting, whether their careers are in international trade and commerce, litigation, politics or diplomacy. • Study abroad programs in England, Israel, Norway, Puerto Rico and Hungary. These programs offer opportunities for students to expand their learning and experience in an international context. • Bilateral exchange program between the law school and the University of Trier that allows Hamline law students to serve internships at the Clifford Chance law firm in Frankfurt.
“I participated in Hamline’s London program and learned about international arbitration. That experience literally changed my life, and it led to my externship at a German law firm. Now I’m completing my Master of Laws program in London and plan to work in international arbitration when I graduate. Hamline made this all possible.” John Thiede ‘09
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A “Mediation and Other Methods to Foster Democratic Dialogue” is a joint venture with the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University and is offered at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. For each of the past eight years, students and faculty from more than 17 countries have participated, making it an unparalleled cross-cultural learning experience. B Hamline’s Norway program offers students the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the American and Norwegian legal systems by studying comparative law and international diplomacy in the cities of Bergen and Oslo. C Studying law in Jerusalem gives students a fresh perspective on the interaction of law and religion, as well as direct insight from those who live in this dynamic political climate. Hamline offers “Conflict Resolution from Religious Traditions” in Jerusalem each January. D Many Hamline students hone legal practice skills through international moot court and arbitration competitions. These Hamline students were finalists in the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Arbitration Moot competition in Hong Kong and Vienna during 2008–09. E Students may participate in the Certificate Program in Global Arbitration Law and Practice: National and Transborder Perspectives in London, England. The program is a joint venture with Professor Thomas E. Carbonneau, an internationally-recognized author and authority on arbitration.
Visit www.hamline.edu/law/curriculum to learn more.
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Get Skills Gain Experience Go Global
www.hamline.edu/law (800)388-3688 Office of Admissions, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104