Law School Discussion

Hi there,

I thought I'd response to the OPs questions. I'm a 3rd year at Widener U in Wilmington, but the policies are the same for both schools.

First, the fall 1L schedule is pretty full. You'll take Torts, Civil Procedure, Propery I, and your legal writing class. The first 3 classes I mentioned are 3 days week, and the writing class is 2 days a week. Spring semester isn't all that much different. Its Property II, Criminal Law, Contracts, 2nd semester legal writing, and another one I can't remember.

Second, you won't know the casebooks that you'll be using for each class until roughtly 3 weeks prior to the start of the fall semester. Professors choose the case book they want to use, so there is no use in trying to purcahse one early since it may not even be the one the professor assigns. ALSO, you'll have what are called "first assignments" prior to the start of each semester (this is common at every law school). This is reading that is reqired to be done for the first day. Don't worry...the school gives you enough time to go to the bookstore, purchase your books, and have the reading prepared.

Third, you have NO flexibility with regard to the classes, professors, and schduedles you might want. You're entire first year is already prearranged for you by the registrar's office (again, this is common at all law schools). Students are placed within "sections", of which there are about 5 for each incoming 1L class. You'll take the same classe with the same set of 60 students your entire first year. Personally I found this to be a good way to meet friends and socialize. You're all dealing with the same professors and the same work so it gives you an opportunity to vent (which you will do). Once second year rolls around then you will have the opportunity to choose the clases and professors you'd like to take.

I believe that had something to do with the Bush administration. A bunch of RW grads made it into the AGs as well.

You should re-post this in on the General Board. I'm not sure how much helpful advice you'll receive in the "pre-law" threads. Click "Discussion" under "Students & Graduates" to the left, then click on "General Board" and post there.

Not that many recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates will be breaking into big law anyways, so I should probably rephrase the question: What type of classes should a student take throughout law school if they hope to specialize in a practice typically handled by 'big law' firms. My law school has so many electives that are likely relevant to some sort of corporate/business practice its hard to know which should definitely be on a student's transcript once graduation rolls around. So, beyond the generic "Business Organizations" and "Securities Regulation"...what else should be included?

I received an invitation via OCI to interview with a "major-regional" health insurance company in my area of the country. A review of their website reveals absolutely nothing with regard to their legal department. I was hoping someone could tell me the type of legal work that a health insurer performs. At first I thought maybe they handle claims made against them (the insurer), but it's my understanding that most insurers farm out their claims to outside firms. If that's the case, is this a type of in-house gig? And if so, what type of law do they practice (health and insurance law I'm guessing?)