In their first year, students build a foundation with Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure , substantive courses including Torts , Contracts , Criminal Law , and Property , and a two-semester skills and theory course Lawyering that includes legal research and writing and advocacy. First year students may participate in the University's Traffic Court as prosecutors or defense lawyers handling appeals of parking citations by KU students, staff and faculty. In their second and third years, students take Evidence , a required course taught by full-time faculty members who have had years of trial experience.
Students learn the rules and principles of evidence from a practical perspective.
Professional Responsibility , another required course, is taught by faculty members who are well-attuned to the ethical issues that arise in client representation. Students then may take Trial Advocacy , Pretrial Advocacy or Advanced Litigation which emphasize practical skills. The Trial Advocacy teachers are experienced litigators. Outstanding judges and trial lawyers from the area serve as adjuncts for small sections of the course. A course in Alternative Dispute Resolution provides skills training as well as an overview of various dispute resolution processes including adjudication, arbitration, mediation and negotiation.