Real Collaborative Context: Opinion Writing and the Appellate Process

21 Pages Posted: 22 Apr 2008

See all articles by Thomas D. Cobb

Thomas D. Cobb

University of Washington School of Law

Sarah Kaltsounis

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: September 15, 2008

Abstract

Collaborative learning is crucial to law students' intellectual development and professional formation. Yet something about the forms of collaboration we typically adopt has always produced the sense that collaborative learning has failed to achieve some of its most ambitious goals. This article articulates a more engaging and empowering approach to collaboration, one that asks law students to participate in aspects of legal practice or judging that involve group decision making - such as appellate judging. By participating in these processes, students gain a more sophisticated understanding of judicial decision making, and how its social aspects influence legal reasoning. In addition, students and teachers who experiment with these collaborative reasoning processes may position themselves to help improve group decision making in a variety of areas of legal practice.

Keywords: collaboration, appellate opinion writing, legal writing, legal education

Suggested Citation

Cobb, Thomas D. and Kaltsounis, Sarah Farley, Real Collaborative Context: Opinion Writing and the Appellate Process (September 15, 2008). Journal of the Association of Legal Writing Directors, Vol. 5, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1121542

Thomas D. Cobb (Contact Author)

University of Washington School of Law ( email )

William H. Gates Hall
Box 353020
Seattle, WA 98105-3020
United States
206-543-6136 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.washington.edu/Directory/Profile.aspx?ID=124

Sarah Farley Kaltsounis

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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