George Mason University School of Law

George Mason University School of Law offers an intensive three-year legal writing program to prepare its students for the practical demands in the practice of law. In the first year, students are introduced to both enacted law and common law, learn a variety of research methodologies using both print and electronic database resources, learn the art of analyzing legal concepts, and the practical skills of presenting this research and analysis in a coherent, organized, and logical written product. Students begin writing objective legal memoranda in the first semester, and then progress to the art of persuasive writing through a trial level problem, where students are required to write both pre-trial pleadings and trial memoranda. At the end of the second semester, students engage in oral argument before local practitioners and judges. In the third semester, students continue developing and refining their research, analytical, and writing skills by working though an appellate problem at the federal appellate level. Students research and prepare two complete appellate briefs according to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure – one for the Appellant and one for the Appellee – and then engage in oral argument before legal practitioners. In the fourth semester, students are divided into law firms and counsel the same client through a variety of simulated circumstances requiring different types of legal drafting, from simple contracts governing the behavior of the client and others, to drafting legislation and preparing a will. Students also engage in a settlement negotiation with their colleagues and finalize the terms of the settlement reached into a settlement agreement for their client.

The LRWA Program at George Mason also requires at least two additional writing courses beyond the first two years. For those students in the general law track, the additional writing requirement can be satisfied by taking either two 400- or 600-level seminar courses or one 400-/600-level seminar and one “Writing” course (designated by a (W) following the title of the course). Students in the specialty track programs use their theses and other required courses to fulfill the upper-level writing requirements.

For additional information, please contact Elizabeth A. Keith, Director of Legal, Research, Writing and Analysis, George Mason University School of Law, 3301 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 1G3, Arlington, VA 22201, (703) 993-9158 (telephone), (703) 993-8202 (facsimile), ekeith@gmu.edu.