Taking Lawyering Skills Training Seriously

31 Pages Posted: 8 Dec 2003

See all articles by David A. Binder

David A. Binder

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law

Paul B. Bergman

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law

Abstract

The lawyering skills so thoroughly explored in Gary Bellow and Bea Moulton's The Lawyering Process continue to be a major focus of clinical legal education. Distinguishing between case-centered and skill-centered clinical programs, this essay explores whether clinical courses provide a sufficient foundation for students to "transfer" the lawyering skills they are exposed to in law school to the practice of law. Drawing on the recent work of educational researchers and medical school educators, the essay identifies structural attributes that enhance the likelihood of promoting lawyering skills "transfer." The essay argues that case-centered clinical programs tend to lack these attributes and identifies possible structural changes that can increase the likelihood that students will transfer lawyering skills learing from law school to practice.

Suggested Citation

Binder, David A. and Bergman, Paul B., Taking Lawyering Skills Training Seriously. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=470903 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.470903

David A. Binder (Contact Author)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law ( email )

385 Charles E. Young Dr. East
Room 1242
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476
United States

Paul B. Bergman

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law ( email )

385 Charles E. Young Dr. East
Room 1242
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476
United States

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