Advanced Legal Writing: Public Interest Litigation

Public-interest litigation is often an uphill battle. Lawyers and clients representing public interests have difficulty prevailing even when their fact patterns are sympathetic, often because the law is either undeveloped or unsupportive. Yet when public-interest litigation does succeed it can change the legal landscape and galvanize social movements. This class will focus on the research and writing skills necessary to litigate public-interest lawsuits. The class will employ briefs from important public-interest cases and other readings to unpack the rhetorical and analytical tools needed to persuade judges across the ideological spectrum. Students will also learn how to conduct advanced legal research; develop tools for constitutional, statutory, and case law interpretation; and hone their ability to be clear and creative. Students will practice the skills they learn by preparing multiple drafts of two pleadings in a single case, and will receive detailed feedback on their writing from the instructor and their peers. Grading will be based on a Mandatory P/R/F system, taking into account writing as well as class participation. Early drop deadline: Students may not drop this course after first week of class. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline.