Law Schedule of Classes

NOTE: Course offerings change. Classes offered this semester may not be offered in future semesters.


207.5 sec. 005 - Advanced Legal Writing (Fall 2021)

Instructor: Natalie C Winters  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
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Units: 2
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person

Meeting:

Th 08:00 AM - 09:50 AM
Location: Law 111
From August 19, 2021
To November 23, 2021

Course Start: August 19, 2021
Course End: November 23, 2021
Class Number: 31923

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 9
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 12
As of: 01/25 05:06 PM


PREQUISITES: Legal Research and Writing 202.1A (or its JD equivalent) and Written and Oral Advocacy 202.1B (or its JD equivalent)

This is a written advocacy class with a focus on building and honing fundamental skills. Students will produce several written assignments, including a client email, an opposing counsel negotiation, and a constitutional motion. Writing assignments may involve initial drafts, instructor feedback, peer review, and final revisions. We will also briefly touch on research skills. There is no oral argument component to grading.

This course takes a hands-on approach by assigning you to a new (hypothetical) criminal case as either the prosecution or the defense attorney. Throughout the course of the semester, you will learn how great written advocacy can influence that case in many ways. Through client/victim communication, negotiating via email with opposing counsel, and researching and filing a constitutional law motion, this course takes a pragmatic approach in building upon the foundational research and writing courses you took as a 1L. Whether you plan to enter a career in criminal law or not, this course will help you become a more confident, direct, and persuasive writer.

Students will be assigned to either prosecution or defense. Students assigned to the defense will have a due date for their final motion that is slightly earlier in the semester, due to the nature of pretrial litigation. When instructed, you will also work with a co-counsel to complete smaller assignments.

Natalie Winters is Berkeley Law’s Director of Advocacy Competitions Program. She previously worked as an attorney at the Colorado State Public Defender's Office handling misdemeanor and felony caseloads where she tried cases, handled her own appeals, and supervised student interns.

Prerequisites:
Legal Research and Writing 202.1A (or its JD equivalent) and
Written and Oral Advocacy 202.1B (or its JD equivalent)

Requirements Satisfaction:

This class may be counted as either an Option 1 class (two Option 1 classes satisfy the J.D. writing requirement) or units from this class may count toward the J.D. Experiential Requirement. This class may count for both requirements if and only if a student is electing Option 1 and the student's other Option 1 class being used to satisfy the J.D. writing requirement is not being counted towards any other requirement.

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Exam Notes: (P) Final paper  
Course Category: Simulation Courses

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