Curriculum

Students are required to take a two-seminar series on the American Legal Profession during the second year of law school (or, in the case of evening students, during the third year), and to work closely with CPVP faculty to develop a research project in the student’s area of interest.

Seminar Series

American Legal Profession: An Introduction (LP 200, Fall Semester)
This seminar examines the organization and regulation of the U.S. legal profession, focusing on lawyers’ work and careers in different settings. The seminar is designed to forge links among CPVP affiliates and to provide a forum for the initial development of the Capstone project. The seminar requires two short papers and a research interview. Students are encouraged to enroll concurrently in Professional Responsibility (REQ 450).

Advanced Topics in Lawyer Regulation (LP 250, Spring Semester)
This seminar focuses on current issues in lawyer regulation, with topics dictated primarily by student interest. Readings are selected through consultation with individual students, with the aim of enabling informed class discussion about ongoing student research. The seminar requires a substantial research paper that may serve as the basis for the Capstone project.

Capstone Project

CPVP affiliates are required to complete a Capstone project in the fall of their final year of study. The Capstone project consists of a substantial research paper or public service project that draws on the seminars described above. Students are expected to seek approval for their Capstone projects in the second year of law school, (or, in the case of evening students, in the third year) and to present them to CPVP affiliates during the fall of their final year.

Law Without Walls

In addition to the formal requirements listed above, students in the Center have the opportunity to participate in the Center's ground-breaking pedagogical projects. In the spring of 2011, the Center will pilot an international online seminar with students and faculty from Fordham Law School, Harvard Law School, University of Miami School of Law, Peking University School of Transnational Law, and University College London. The goal of this new seminar is to conduct guided, collaborative research on the legal profession and to produce a series of capstone projects on specific topics. Each school will select two to four students to participate in the seminar. Each student will work collaboratively with a student from a different city to research a problem in legal education or practice and design a solution.

The seminar will kick-off with an in-person meeting at University College London in January, and will meet thereafter in virtual sessions led by leading scholars on the legal profession. The seminar will conclude with an in-person symposium at the University of Miami Law School in April. The seminar is an exciting and unique opportunity to collaborate across institutions and countries. Students will be selected through a competitive application process based on law school performance, work experience, and a personal statement.