In an effort to maximize the number of options for our students looking to gain practical experience, the Nebraska Law curriculum offers a significant number of classes which focus on the development of practical skills.
Client Interviewing and Counseling teaches students how to perform a thorough initial client interview through viewing and performing simulated client interviews. For students interested in a career in litigation, courses such as Pretrial Litigation and Trial Advocacy, where you will perform weekly exercises in drafting legal documents and presentation of your case, are a must. Surprisingly enough, not all litigated cases end up in front of a judge like they do on Law and Order. Thus, you may want to prepare yourself for alternate methods of resolution by taking Alternative Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; and Mediation. Another popular choice among students is Negotiations taught by Adjunct Professor David Landis.
Experiential learning is also available in specific practice areas like family law, real estate, and appellate practice. Students who take Family Law Practice will work with a client throughout the semester to resolve a family law issue, typically a divorce. For those interested in business or international law, students taking our International Business Transactions course will engage in contract drafting and negotiating exercises. Similar class projects are performed in our Real Estate Transactions Course. Get extra practice writing appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments through our Appellate Advocacy class.
For a complete listing of upper-class course offerings click on the link to the Upperclass Curriculum Information on the Upperclass Information page at http://law.unl.edu/upperclass-students.