Lesson One : What to Expect During Your First Year
Law School Basics: The Socratic Method, hypotheticals, case briefing, first-year and upper-level courses, common questions among 1Ls; how to be sure you're prepared.
Lesson Two: IRAC and How to Think Like a Lawyer
A return to logical reasoning: the application of the Rule of Law to specific sets of facts; "Issue Spotting" with IRAC analysis (Issue; Rule; Analysis; Conclusion).
Lesson Three: Contract Law
Valid contract formation: offer and acceptance; mutual assent; consideration (and substitutes thereof); contract interpretation, rights, and obligations; breach; and remedies.
Lesson Four: Tort Law
The different types of civil, or private, offenses: intentional torts; negligent torts and comparative vs. contributory negligence; strict liability and associated defenses.
Lesson Five : First-Year Study Skills: Outlining and Organizing
Various methods of study; writing solid course outlines; creating and maintaining an effective 1L schedule and study plan.
Lesson Six: Legal Research and Writing
Researching primary and secondary sources; validation of current legal authority; standard 1L writing tasks, and sample student assignments.
Lesson Seven: Civil Procedure
Procedural rules of the court system; different sources of jurisdiction (subject matter, personal, and venue jurisdiction); parties, pleadings; discovery; trial; resolution.
Lesson Eight: Criminal Law and Procedure
Crimes against persons; crimes against property; the element of criminal intent (mens rea); liability, defenses; search and seizure; right to counsel and other rights during trial.
Lesson Nine: Evidence
What evidence can be introduced in court; the Federal Rules of Evidence; relevance; competency; foundation; public policy considerations; hearsay and its exceptions.
Lesson Ten: Property Law
Personal property and real property; trespass; adverse possession; present estates and future estates; conveyances of real property; deeds, recording, and marketable title.
Lesson Eleven: Constitutional Law
Organization of the branches of government; powers of the Congress and the President; individual rights including Due Process, Equal Protection, and the right to privacy.
Lesson Twelve: Crushing Your Law School Exams
Knowing the top-tested cases and concepts from each class; understanding the laws and their application to specific facts; organizing and writing your law school essays to relay your idea and analysis efficiently and effectively.