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March 27, 2012
Another Innovative Skills Program: Vermont Law School's General Practice Program
Vermont Law School's General Practice Program incorporates the principles of the Carnegie Report in all of its 12 courses, which are simulation-based and taught by a team of regular and adjunct faculty.
"The General Practice Program (GPP) complements the traditional JD curriculum, preparing students to be general practitioners who must provide a range of legal services. The program also provides an alternative for those students who learn best in a hands-on manner. The program meshes substantive law with professional skills; classes are structured to simulate a law firm with professors acting as senior partners, overseeing the student 'associates' as they perform a broad range of legal activities?leading role-playing clients through divorce proceedings, conducting title searches, providing legal counsel for school districts, handling employment grievance cases, producing wills, preparing for civil and criminal court appearances?in and outside of classes. Students are exposed to the legal professional culture through their interactions with GPP faculty, student colleagues, and their mentors in the Mentorship Project."
"The GPP is a two-year, four-semester program, for second- and third-year students. Each semester has from one to four components totaling four credit hours. The components, taught by a mix of regular faculty and experienced practitioners, may include: GPP I: Domestic Relations GPP II: Real Estate Transactions/Environmental Problem-Solving/Commercial Transactions/Employment Law GPP III: Criminal Law/Representing Entrepreneurial Business/International Intellectual Property GPP IV: Estate Planning/Personal Injury Law/Municipal Law/Landlord-Tenant/Bankruptcy."
"Throughout the four semesters students learn and practice a variety of skills: drafting, counseling, interviewing, mediation, negotiation, oral argument, and pre-trial preparation. Students also confront and resolve ethical issues in their roles as attorneys." "Students have the option of participating in an experiential or clinical program, such as the South Royalton Legal Clinic or Semester In Practice, during the third or fourth semester in lieu of GPP III or GPP IV components."
"A General Practice Program Certificate is awarded to students who have successfully completed all four semesters of the program, in addition to their JD Diploma."
I have spent so much space on this program because I think it can serve as a model for other law schools who want to do something different. It prepares graduates for general practice, which is what many of our graduates actually do. (What an innovative idea!) It is not Vermont's only program. Vermont also prepares lawyers in a more traditional way, and it is known for its environmental program. Let's give our students options, like Vermont has.
(Scott Fruehwald)
P.S. A hands-on manner is usually the best way to learn. This is how students learn how to paint, play the violin, become a doctor, become a scientist, etc.
March 27, 2012 | Permalink
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