Who is on the Outside Looking in, and What Do They See?: Metaphors of Exclusion in Legal Education

Abstract

Professors who teach legal writing and other skills related courses in American law schools have traditionally been seen as less than full members of the legal academy. They have been excluded from full participation in faculty governance, and from full inclusion in the life of many law schools around the nation. This exclusion has been commented upon widely; so much so, in fact, that many people who teach legal writing and legal skills have come to view themselves as outsiders. I evaluate this phenomenon by looking at the metaphors of exclusion that are often used by legal writing and skills professors themselves. I conclude that using such metaphors often has a self-reinforcing effect that further marginalizes those in these positions.

Keywords: Metaphor, Cognitive Metaphor, Legal Writing, Legal Skills, Legal Education