These courses use the case method to introduce students to substantive rules of law, their application to concrete situations, and to the analytical art of 'thinking like a lawyer. Excellent research and writing skills are essential to practicing law and are therefore emphasized throughout law school. Hamline's nationally recognized program, staffed by full-time legal writing experts, teaches students the process and structure of legal research, writing, and analysis. During the first year, students learn research and writing skills through two semesters of classes, small group research labs, mandatory individual tutorials in writing briefs and legal memoranda, and extensive written feedback on each assignment. The tutorials help students to improve the structure and quality of their written analysis and to integrate research and writing effectively from the initial stages of a project.
Small classes facilitate discussion, individual attention, and group activities.
In all first-year courses, an effort is made to include ethical and professional responsibility issues in writing assignments. Third-year student teaching assistants lead small legal research discussion sections and help students complete research problem sets that develop mastery of the research sources. Teaches basic legal research, citation, and drafting of legal memoranda. During the second semester, students participate in oral argument. It focuses on civil actions for injury to person, property, or intangible interests and on claims of intentional wrongs, negligence, and strict liability.