LRW > Spring Semester at a Glance

Week 1: Persuasive Writing
The semester begins with a focus on persuasive writing. Students practice these skills first by polishing cover letters for their summer jobs. Some LRW sections review briefs of cases that the Oregon Court of Appeals will hear the following week.

Week 2: Court of Appeals Visit
LRW students are treated to up-close observation of the Oregon Court of Appeals in action. The court hears arguments in real cases in our intimate courtroom at the law school. After each case, students have the opportunity to ask questions of the judges and the attorneys.

Week 3: Online Research
Before launching into the appellate brief, students review their research skills from the fall semester and learn new, advanced techniques. Some of these sessions are led by our outstanding law librarians.

Week 4: Appellate Brief
The major project of the spring semester is the appellate brief. Each professor designs a unique, real-world problem. Recent topics include the definition of "service animal" under the Americans with Disabilities Act, economic duress as a defense to contract enforcement, and proper screening of patients in hospital emergency rooms. Briefs are completed in pieces, with students getting feedback along the way.

Week 5: Arguing, Writing, and Revising
LRW classes are divided into appellants and respondents, representing both sides of the appellate brief problems. Students debate the issues--in class and in the law school commons--looking for weaknesses in each argument and then finding ways to buttress those arguments. Students may seek guidance on their writing during office hours held by professors and by LRW tutors.

Weeks 6 and 7: Practice Rounds
As professors give feedback on individual drafts, students present practice oral arguments to LRW tutors. "Opponents" work together to refine their advocacy skills.

Week 8: Conferences
Each student attends an individual conference with the LRW professor to review the marked draft. This focused attention on each student’s work is possible because of small class size and low student-teacher ratios in LRW.

Week 9: Supreme Court Visit
As students finalize their own appellate briefs and prepare their arguments, they get to see actual arguments before the Oregon Supreme Court right here in the law school. The largest lecture hall is transformed into a court room, justices process in following the call "All rise!" and arguments proceed just as they do at the Supreme Court building.

Weeks 10 and 11: Oral Arguments
After weeks of preparation, students are ready to present their public arguments. Judges and attorneys from Eugene and across the Northwest volunteer to serve as judges who are both knowledgeable and supportive.

Week 12: Spring Break
Some students stay in Eugene to relax and get a head start preparing for exams. Some visit family and friends. Some travel to fun places.

Weeks 13 through 15: Preparation for Practice
LRW classes focus on preparing students for their summer jobs. Some do independent writing projects. Others refine their citation skills. Still others practice making presentations to senior attorneys.

There's still time for fun, as LRW professors, students, and families enjoyed a night of roller skating to support public interest work.