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Wave of the Future or Low Tide: Offering a Bar Exam Writing Class for Credit. Jean Boylan Susan Bakhshian Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Our Bar Writing Class may NOT be what you think. NOT about substance One sample lecture NOT substitute for a commercial bar review course
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Wave of the Future or Low Tide:Offering a Bar Exam Writing Class for Credit Jean Boylan Susan Bakhshian Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Our Bar Writing Class may NOT be what you think • NOT about substance • One sample lecture • NOT substitute for a commercial bar review course • Use a student panel to avoid endorsements • NOT graded
So what is our bar writing class? • One night per week, 2 units • Pass/Fail • Substance • Essays • Performance Exam • Sample Syllabus in Handouts
Two Main Issues: Easy Issue: Can You? Tougher Issue: Should You?
CAN YOU? • ABA Standard 302 • Interpretation 302-7:If a law school grants academic credit for a bar examination preparation course, such credit may not be counted toward the minimum requirements for graduation established in Standard 304. A law school may not require successful completion of a bar examination preparation course as a condition of graduation.
SHOULD YOU? • Your Students Needs • Your Boss: Administrative Considerations • YOU: Workload Issues
Student Needs • How is your bar pass rate? • How high is your tuition? • How many of your students enter practice right out of school? • How big is your school? How good is the exam feedback? • How have your students changed over the years?
Administrative Concerns • Getting Resources • Release or Trade • Upside: prevent burnout • Downside: obvious $$$ • Getting New Course Approval • ABA rule lends some credibility • Trends? Too soon to help?
Workload Issues: Can you take on one more thing? • Pass/Fail Works • Rules, Rules, Rules • Easy Grading • Bar Exam Scoring • Not Legal Writing Grading • Student Gratitude is High • Are you doing this already?
Pitfalls to Avoid • Keeping Expectations in Check • Credibility • Private Sector Experience – double edge sword • Practical “how to” info is essential