Learn more about the Law Simulation Series and view a demo video at www.aspenlaw.com/experience.
Working as an intern at the Anytown, USA law firm of Murphy, Miller & Dorn the student will be introduced to all phases of the litigation process as it relates to five litigation client files. Assigned work is part of a supplied Task List that is designed to first indoctrinate and then challenge the student. The simulation provides a realistic environment in which the student becomes part of the litigation team.
The instructor may follow the Task List directly, which will simulate approximately 15-20 hours of work, or customize the assignments by selecting only those client files and/or tasks that relate to the course material. The instructor may also supplement the work by uploading additional tasks, sample forms, and documents.
During his days at the office, the student will encounter avatars of a law partner, the office manager, a paralegal and an administrative assistant who will guide the student’s work. Through audio and video files the student will sit in on meetings, client interviews and depositions and learn directly from other law office personnel how civil claims are investigated, filed in the court, and moved toward final resolution through settlement, trial and appeal. Audio and video files will be available to the student for replay in order to reinforce lessons. In addition, the student will also have access to the firm’s policies and procedures manual and an extensive form bank of the law office’s administrative forms and sample documents.
In order to monitor the student’s work product and provide learning and feedback, conferences with the instructor (referred to in the simulation as the “Supervising Attorney”) are included in the task timeline. The flexibility and multiple uses of the simulation allow for those conference times to be one-on-one, by email, or during class time as an entire class works within the law office environment. An instructor resource center includes rubric/grading guides, links to additional teaching resources and supplemental assignments and projects that can be used to customize the student’s daily assignments.
Among the skills The Law Simulation Series: Civil Litigation will develop and refine are:
- Understanding the role of the paralegal and other law office personnel in the delivery of legal services as they relate to civil practice and litigation support
- Understanding the rules of ethics and professional responsibility and how these rules relate to the practice of law
- Understanding the structure and workings of the judiciary
- Ability to perform critical analysis of client legal issues
- Ability to practice effective time management
- Understanding law office policies and procedures
- Ability to use technology to further client representation
- Understanding and applying the underlying theories of civil litigation to the representation of law office clients