Mapping Lawyer Competencies Onto the Law School Curriculum to Confirm that Graduates are Prepared for Law Practice

Abstract

This article describes how to define lawyer competencies from a variety of professional, research, and institutional sources, in order to map them against a law school curriculum. The article explains how a table of lawyer competencies can help lawyers, law firms, and law schools ensure adequate professional preparation and development. It then tests popular myths and common premises regarding lawyer competencies. The article concludes from its study of lawyer competencies that legal education should continue its present reforms to further integrate and align instruction to practice competencies.

Keywords: curriculum, map, mapping, lawyer, competence, competency, legal, education