Public Speaking for Lawyers:

Surveys reveal that improved oral communication skills, speaking to public bodies, meeting with clients, handling simple matters in court, communicating with a trade group or organization) are a priority legal skill not often taught in law school. Oral Communications for Lawyers is an interactive, hands-on course designed to develop and improve students’ public speaking skills. Each student will learn by doing, in a variety of scenarios, and receive constructive, personalized feedback on his/her performance.

Governing criteria for reviewing presentations: messages should be clear, concise, complete, audience connection, real (genuine and believable), confident, produce desired results. The class will meet 8 times, and students will speak no less than six times, in varying formats and settings. They will also make occasional impromptu presentations, of two or three minutes, during the course of the semester. Attendance is mandatory, and active student participation is required. Most assignments require structured, focused preparation outside of class. There is no written final examination. The course, which is graded pass/fail, is open to LLM-LI students only and enrollment is limited.

Course materials will be available at the Law School Copyshop.