Legal Writing & Research at Delaware Law School
Mastering legal writing and research is crucial for a successful legal career. Our robust program will teach you the foundational skills needed by every practicing attorney. We offer a variety of writing instruction in required and elective classes, as well as upper-level clinic, externship, and clerkship opportunities that will help students further develop critical communication skills.
Practice-ready graduates
- We prepare students for law practice by focusing on the processes and skills that lawyers use to research and analyze legal issues.
- Delaware Law School offers three required courses focusing on writing and related skills: Legal Methods I, II, and III. In addition, various upper-level classes expose students to writing and research in specific areas of law.
- Students draft the kinds of legal documents that lawyers draft every day, including memoranda, client letters, motions, appellate briefs, and more.
- In addition to writing, students will learn legal analysis, citation, research, client interviewing, and oral argument.
Innovative curriculum
- Among 1L classes, legal writing is unique because it teaches both doctrine and practical skills and puts students in the role of practicing lawyers.
- Students engage in multiple assignments each semester, building on previously learned skills while tackling increasingly complex projects.
- Through in-class exercises and group work, students experience collaborative, real-world learning that represents best practices in legal education.
- Small class sizes offer students the opportunity to meet one-on-one with faculty and receive individualized feedback on their academic progress.
- Courses incorporate opportunities to explore professionalism, professional identity formation, cultural competence, and self-reflection.
Expert faculty
- Our legal writing classes are taught by full-time Delaware Law School professors and practicing attorneys from the community.
- Our professors come from a variety of practice backgrounds and infuse their practice experience into their teaching.
- Our professors are scholars and experts who hold leadership positions at the law school and in the national legal education community.