Lawyers Practice Manual

The book "The Lawyer's Practice: A Context and Practice Case File" is part of the Context and Practice Series, edited by Michael Hunter Schwartz, Professor of Law and Dean of the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Legal Practice Skills: The book focuses on providing students with the primary skills needed for legal practice. It covers a wide range of essential skills including research, formal and informal legal writing, interviewing and counseling clients, fact development, discovery, motion practice, negotiation, and drafting.
2. Case-Based Learning: The book uses a realistic and carefully-sequenced series of exercises that track the stages of pre-trial work. This approach allows students to represent clients on both sides of a lawsuit, encouraging mastery of basic legal practice skills.
3. Professional Identity Development: Each chapter is scaffolded on students' earlier work and critical reflection, permitting students to develop a confident sense of professional identity as the case develops.

Plot Summary

The book is designed to simulate real-world legal practice scenarios. It presents a comprehensive case file that guides students through various stages of legal work, from initial client consultation to pre-trial litigation. The case file is structured to encourage students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts, thereby enhancing their understanding and proficiency in legal practice.

Critical Reception

While there is no specific critical reception provided in the sources, the book's design and approach are highly regarded for their innovative and practical application of legal education. The Context and Practice Series is known for its effectiveness in teaching lawyering skills, and this particular case file is no exception. The inclusion of a comprehensive Teacher's Manual with suggestions for teaching and using the case file, detailed instructions for clients, and additional documents available only to counsel for each side, further supports its utility in legal education.

Additional Information

• Publication Details: The book was published in 2011 and is available in print and digital formats (ISBN 978-1-59460-809-4, eISBN 978-1-5310-1279-3).
• Target Audience: It is suitable for both first-year legal practice/legal writing classes and upper-level simulation courses focused on interviewing, counseling, negotiation, or pre-trial litigation.

In summary, "The Lawyer's Practice: A Context and Practice Case File" is a highly structured and practical resource designed to equip law students with the essential skills required for legal practice. Its case-based approach and comprehensive support materials make it an invaluable tool for legal education.