Loyola University New Orleans School of Law

Loyola’s Legal Research & Writing Program is run by two tenured professors, one of whom began the rigorous program back in 1986 (Pat Hugg), and the other who joined the faculty to co-direct and teach in the program in 1993 (Mary Garvey Algero). This continuity of direction has helped solidify the program as one that provides students with excellent training in legal research, writing, analysis, and advocacy. During the first year of law studies, students take 4 credit hours, 2 hours of legal research and writing during which they write three objective memoranda, and 2 hours of Moot Court, during which they practice oral skills weekly, write an appellate brief, and make an appellate argument before a three-judge panel. In the past, these courses were taught by professors and adjuncts who had the assistance of teaching assistants. They are now taught by Fellows who teach no more than 40-45 students per semester.

Following the first year of study, students may elect to take the Advanced Legal Writing course in which students write a judicial opinion, a motion and supporting documents, client letters, and a scholarly piece. Law Review students must enroll in the Law Review Practicuum, a five-hour course held during the student’s second year in which scholarly writing and editing is the focus. Students may also elect to enroll in Advanced Legal Research as well as a number of other "skills" courses in which they are required to draft "practical" documents such as contracts and wills. Additional opportunities to sharpen skills include internships with judges, work on one of the school’s four law journals, research assistantships with professors, and service as a teaching assistant for the first year program in the Loyola Law School Writing Lab, which is a resource for first-year law students.