Students in the School of Law are presented with a broad spectrum of training and enrichment opportunities. Some of the School's offerings include conferences and lectures with prominent scholars and practitioners in the legal arena, Q & A sessions with judges, representatives from law firms, governmental and political agencies, as well as a variety of volunteer and court and client simulation activities.

Legal Clinics

The School of Law offers students a variety of opportunities to practice law throughout their three year education. The Legal Clinics offer a host of programs in which students can represent clients in court, clerk for judges and participate in externships at law firms, corporations and government agencies. Students may also choose to work in corporate offices or handle real estate matters. They can work for Habitat for Humanity, represent children and adults in family court matters, assist the homeless and elderly in programs such as Homeward Bound, an annual fair in which legal services are provided pro-bono to the homeless, or participate in a variety of other legal experiences. Through the Legal Clinics, students are able to see how the law can be applied in a variety of contexts while at the same time gaining practical experience by providing valuable legal services to others. See Legal Clinics for more information.

Trial Advocacy

The Trial Advocacy program is designed to prepare students for actual courtroom experiences. Through courses in Trial Practice, Trial Advocacy I and Trial Advocacy II, students are called upon to demonstrate their knowledge through participation in a mock trial competition. This kind of hands-on activity allows for integral exposure to many facets of the trial experience such as jury instruction, witness preparation, trial, verdict and post-trial motions and the formulation of appeals.

The Trial Advocacy program is coordinated by a group of full-time faculty members who oversee small groups of students. After completing Trial Advocacy I, students may try out for the ABA-Sponsored Trial Advocacy Competition (see Co-Curricular Activities for more information).

Client Counseling

Knowing how to serve the client is of the utmost importance. Through the Client Counseling program, students are trained to communicate with clients in such a way that helps them determine individual needs and the best way to meet those needs. Students learn the structure of a legal interview, how to ask the right questions, how to listen effectively, empathize with clients, clarify information and encourage clients to talk.

Negotiation

Negotiation can often take up a large part of a lawyer's time. For this reason, proper training is essential. By receiving early exposure and negotiation training, students can experience first-hand the practice of negotiation through a variety of simulation activities. A wide range of situations are enacted, including those things dealing with business contracts, neighborhood disputes, personal service contracts and intentional disputes. Faculty members observe students as they engage in these processes and provide feedback.

In addition to simulation activities, students also analyze problems and learn about the theories associated with the practice of negotiation.

Journals

• The Saint Louis University Law Journal
• Public Law Review
• Saint Louis University Journal of Health Law & Policy

Second and third year students have the opportunity to work toward producing a piece of original scholarship of publishable quality while perfecting their legal writing and editing skills. Work on one of the School's three prestigious journals also builds valuable leadership skills.

Faculty Fellowships

Students who have completed their first year can serve as research assistants to faculty members. As a result, students are able to learn more about law and the ways in which a legal scholar goes about producing work.

Government and Non-Profit Agency Externships

In this program, students are provided with opportunities to work in a variety of professional capacities under the supervision of a practicing attorney. Placement is generally tailored to a students' individual interests. For students earning a certificate in Health Law, the externship program offers in-house counsel opportunities at area hospitals as well as relevant state and federal agency offices.

Judicial Clerkships

In this program, students spend a semester clerking for a federal or state judge either in Missouri or Illinois, where they perform legal research and analysis, help draft orders and opinions and observe hearings and trials in the courtroom. In the spring semester there is an additional limited opportunity for second-semester, second year students to clerk for a judge with the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Corporate Counsel Practicum

This practicum is open to students who have completed Business Associations and Legal Profession. Students are placed in corporate legal departments of major St. Louis based corporations under the supervision of in-house corporate counsel, and the direction of a full-time faculty member. For each credit hour, a student must work 3 hours each week. Past or planned corporate placements include Charter Communications, Desco Group, and Schnucks, Anheuser Busch, CPI, Kellwood, Ameren UE, Monsanto, Trans States Airlines Grades in this course are recorded on the student's transcript as Pass/Fail. Note: This course does not fulfill the professional skills requirement.

Enrollment is limited to 15. Students apply by sending Dean Weinberger a cover letter and resume. Students will be registered by Dean Weinberger.