Public Interest Practice (LAW-893-001)
Rick Wilson
Meets: 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM (W) - Warren - Room N101
Limit: 30
Notices
There are no notices at this time.
Description
The course will examine 1) who public interest lawyers were, at the origins of the movement, and who they are today; 2) how public interest practice is structured; 3) what advocacy strategies public interest lawyers adopt; and 4) challenges for public interest lawyering, with particular focus on ethical dilemmas, the globalization of law, and new directions in the field. While definitions of public interest lawyering are contested, we will generally use the term to refer to work on behalf of those who would not otherwise have access to justice or the justice system – the poor, the marginalized, minorities, survivors, etc. The course uses a textbook largely without cases, and draws from extensive legal scholarship in the area, and also includes film. The class will be active, with lots of student participation through paired discussion, small groups, role plays, visiting panels, etc. More broadly, the course seeks to introduce you to the scope and options for the practice of law, in order to situate public interest practice in the proud tradition it occupies here at WCL, in the United States, and globally. The course finishes with a paper, not an exam, with the option to write individually or in paired teams at the students’ election.
Textbooks and Other Materials
The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.
First Class Readings
Not available at this time.