Preface v
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Chapter 2 Preparing to Enter Law School 7
A Readings 7
1 Nonfiction 8
2 Fiction 10
B Visit Your Law School 10
C Other Preparations 11
D Arriving at Law School 12
E Computers 14
Chapter 3 The American Legal System 16
A English Roots: The Beginnings of the Common Law 16
B Other Influences on the American Legal System 24
C The Modern American Legal System 25
1 Judicial Branch 26
2 Legislative Branch 31
3 Executive Branch 36
Chapter 4 What Do Lawyers Do? 39
A Generalist Training 39
B The Practice of Law 40
C Specialization 41
D Corporate Law Office 45
E Government 45
F Law-Related Institutions 47
G Business Career 48
H Other Career Paths 48
I Fluidity of Law Degree 49
J Pro Bono Commitment 50
Chapter 5 The Study of Law 51
A Thinking Like a Lawyer 51
B Socratic Method 52
C Case Method 53
D Other Law School Instruction 55
Chapter 6 First-Year Curriculum 56
A First-Year Courses 56
1 Civil Procedure 58
2 Constitutional Law 60
3 Contracts 61
4 Criminal Law 62
5 Criminal Procedure 63
6 Legislation 64
7 Property 65
8 Torts 67
B Legal Research and Legal Writing 68
C First-Year Sections 69
D Grading 69
E A Reminder 70
Chapter 7 Finding Your Way Around the Law Library 71
A Case Law 72
B Case Digests 78
1 State Digests 78
2 Regional Digests 79
3 Federal Digests 79
4 Comprehensive Digests 79
C Legislation and Constitutions 82
1 Federal 82
2 State 85
3 Municipal 86
D Legislative History 86
E Administrative Law 87
F Legal Periodicals 89
G Treatises 90
H Legal Encyclopedias 92
I American Law Reports 93
J Restatements of the Law 94
K LawDictionaries and Thesauri 94
L Citators 95
M Electronic Research 98
N Your Law Librarian 100
Chapter 8 Preparing for Class 101
A Case Method 101
B Reading Cases 103
C Briefing Cases 107
D Case Brief Format 109
D Case Brief Format-Continued
1 Caption 109
2 Facts 110
3 Procedural History 111
4 Issues 111
5 Holdings 112
6 Rationale 114
7 Disposition 115
8 Concurring and Dissenting Opinions 115
E Sample Case Brief 117
Chapter 9 Classroom Experience 123
A The Socratic Method 123
B Class Attendance 129
C Class Participation 130
D Class Notes 134
Chapter 10 Learning After Class 137
A Daily Review 138
B Outlining 139
C Sample Outline 143
D Study Groups 151
Chapter 11 Study Aids 153
A Hornbooks 156
B Subject Summaries 157
C Subject Outlines 158
D Case Briefs 160
E Computer-Based Exercises 161
F Exam Reviews 162
G Flashcards 163
Chapter 12 Exams 165
A Preparing for the Exam 166
1 Substance of the Course 166
2 Form of the Exam 168
3 Study Schedule 171
4 Law School Policies 172
5 Anxiety and Procrastination 173
B Taking the Exam 173
1 The Night Before the Exam 173
2 During the Exam 174
a Reading the Instructions 174
b Reading the Questions 175
c Taking Notes 179
d Other Common Errors 179
i Misreading the Question 179
ii Ignoring Facts 180
iii Assuming Facts 181
iv Answering Questions That Have Not Been Asked 182
e Thinking Through and Organizing Your Answer 184
i Identifying Issues 185
ii Identifying the Legal Rule 188
iii Analyzing the Problem 188
iv Reaching a Conclusion 190
f Writing the Exam Answer 191
i Common Errors 192
g Form of the Answer 194
C After the Exam 196
Chapter 13 Other Activities During the First Year 197
A Law Student Organizations 197
B Athletic Activities 199
C Lectures and Special Events 200
D Field Trips 200
E Law School Employment 201
F Take Time For Yourself 203
G Pro Bono Activities 203
H Values 204
Chapter 14 Beyond the First Year 205
A Law Journals 205
B Clinical Education 207
C Moot Court 209
D Course Selection 211
E International Programs 213
F Joint Degree Programs 214
G Summer Clerkships 214
H New Adventures 216
Sample Exam Questions and Answers 217
Civil Procedure I 219
Civil Procedure II 233
Constitutional Law I 240
Constitutional Law II 251
Contracts I 258
Contracts II 268
Criminal Law I 281
Criminal Law II 291
Property I 299
Property II 305
Torts I 313
Torts II 354
Index 359
