LEGAL WRITING & RESEARCH CURRICULUM

Legal Writing Curriculum

During the first and second years at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, students are required to take three courses in the Legal Writing Program. During the first year, the Legal Research, Analysis, Writing & Oral Communication course is taught jointly with the Legal Research faculty. Students must pass their legal research examination in the fall semester to pass the course as a whole.

The rules governing the Legal Research, Analysis, Writing & Communication Courses are available here.

The following is a description of the Legal Analysis, Writing & Oral Communication courses taught by the Legal Writing faculty.

     

Legal Research Component

Legal research is an essential lawyering skill and Villanova law students begin developing their research skills the first week of law school. It begins with the legal research component of the first year Legal Research, Writing, Analysis & Communication Course.

Taught by expert law librarians, you will learn about the various sources of law in the U.S. legal system and how to search, identify, analyze, and use a wide array of legal sources. A strong emphasis is placed on effective search strategies and the importance of evaluating and validating information sources. Weekly research assignments and in-class exercises provide many opportunities for hands-on learning. The Villanova Law legal research 1L curriculum is designed to prepare students for their legal writing assignments and to provide a solid foundation for their summer legal employment and second year coursework as well participation on journals and Moot Court.

The following is a description of the additional Legal Research courses taught by the Legal Writing faculty.