New Direction
On August 22, 154 new students began their first semester at the University of Richmond School of Law. As in past years, law school faculty prepared students for a successful entry into the program during the three-day 1L orientation that included an introduction to the law library, time to get to know each other and their professors, finding their study carrels and setting up their computer accounts. The faculty took a different approach to the rest of the schedule, though, by introducing the new law students to a client before classes even started.
It started with a phone call from Carl Lockett. His daughter Lucy Lockett, a hypothetical twenty-three year old pet store employee, received a snake bite at work. She had a reaction and underwent two surgical procedures as a result of her injury. For the next three days, faculty and students discussed the details of the case and how it would play out in real-life, prompting students to analyze the case from the perspectives of the lawyer, the client, and witnesses.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Clark Williams explained, "What we tried to introduce to orientation this year that was different was the chance to give brand new law students exposure to how a problem comes across a lawyer's desk. We try to help them realize that a lot of what a lawyer brings to a situation is their personal experience—their judgment, common sense, the ability to relate to people and ask questions. We want students to know that those experiences will serve them well when they enter law school, and will develop even more." He added that faculty members also encouraged students to consider professional roles that attorneys must assume.
After an initial examination of the Lucy Lockett case, Civil Procedure professors introduced students to the client interview process. Students divided into pairs to prepare for the client interview. They were asked to think critically about how they wanted to interview their client and what kinds of questions they needed to ask. The next day, students interviewed Lucy Lockett, played by Martha Bailey, a 2L law student who had memorized fifteen pages of information about her hypothetical background and history. Bailey explained, "They partnered up and each team asked questions for ten minutes, picking up where the last team left off. They each had their own style and as a group got most of the important information." She added, "Now that they have had some legal education—even just two months—they would probably have some additional questions to ask to focus on specific issues like jurisdiction."
Although students missed a few key pieces of information, Williams remarked, "they were able to elicit some very useful information. That was illuminating as well—for them to realize it is important to think about how you draw out information when you're interviewing a client."
The Lucy Lockett case is one written for use in Civil Procedure classes, so many of the 1L students may see Ms. Lockett return later this semester.
In addition to the hypothetical case, students observed two law professors argue a search and seizure case on the U.S. Supreme Court docket this term. Associate Dean for Faculty Development Corinna Lain and Professor John Douglass presented arguments in the case of Florida v. Jardines, in which Franky the police K-9 alerted officers to the presence of marijuana, thus causing the search at issue. "Chief Justice" Professor Ron Bacigal and "Associate Justices" Professors Mary Tate and Kevin Walsh presided over the oral argument. Williams noted, "The 150 new students in the Moot Courtroom heard two outstanding lawyers masterfully assume the role of representing clients in court." The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Florida v. Jardines on October 31.
On the last day of orientation, law professors held a mock Torts class to give students a better idea of what to expect on their first day. Students were given a case to read, as they would for an actual class, and professors began by asking questions about the case. Although the 1Ls weren't aware, several second- and third- year law students attended the session incognito to demonstrate how a prepared and unprepared student would fare during the class.
The case presented during the mock Torts class presented issues arguably relevant to the Lucy Lockett case, which also dealt with issues in tort law. Williams explained, "Towards the end of the mock class, we tried to tie in the law that they had just studied with the case they had been handling with their snake bite victim."
Almost every law faculty member who teaches a first year course was involved in the 1L orientation. "It's very gratifying to see how the faculty are committed to making this a successful orientation experience," noted Williams. The administration and faculty found the new approach to be successful with the students and plan to offer similar sessions at next year's orientation.
"Our hope is that students come to their first week of classes more energized and have a better perspective," added Williams. "We want our students to feel ready for law school. It's important that they not check their common sense life experiences at the door when they get here—all of those things help shape them into better lawyers. We hope this experience helped them realize that."