Cecily Zamora
A first-year law student, also known as a 1L, will experience a high-pressure and challenging environment, with a highly structured curriculum. The first year of law school is designed to prepare students for their future careers, with classes covering an introduction to the American legal system, criminal law, criminal procedure, legal writing, and research. Students will also be expected to participate in a moot court exercise, where they prepare briefs and oral arguments for a mock trial. While the first year of law school can be stimulating and stressful, it is critical for students to learn as much as possible about the law school environment before they arrive, to determine if it matches their skills and goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First year of law school also called | 1L |
| Classes | Torts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Property Law, Legal Writing, Legal Research, Legal Method |
| Teaching style | Socratic method |
| Curriculum | Highly structured |
| Experience | Stimulating, stressful, competitive |
| Preparation | Annotate readings, attend office hours, join extracurricular activities |
| Career goals | Gain expertise in a few fields |
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What You'll Learn
Criminal Law
As a first-year law student, you will follow a designated course of study that may cover many subjects, including criminal law and criminal procedure. Criminal law and procedure examine the rules and policies for enforcing sanctions against individuals accused of committing offences against public order and well-being, and the rights guaranteed to those charged with criminal violations.
First-year law students generally prepare for exams by creating and studying outlines (lengthy summaries of the course material). The exception is legal writing, a course in which you’ll likely have several graded assignments (motions, briefs, etc.) throughout the semester.
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Constitutional Law
A first-year law student is someone who is in the first year of their law school journey. This year is also referred to as the "1L year", and it can be a high-pressure setting for students. To succeed, first-year students should prepare in advance, narrow their focus, annotate readings, attend office hours, and join extracurricular activities.
- Judicial review
- Congressional power and federalism
- The Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment
- The tradition of constitutional review by the judicial branch
- The configuration, interaction, and powers of the three branches of the national government
- The distribution of power between the federal and state governments
- The legislative branch
- The executive branch
- The judicial branch
- The federal system
- The amending provision and miscellaneous matters
- The Bill of Rights
First-year students are also introduced to criminal law, where they learn about criminal liability and different types of crimes. They may also take part in extracurricular activities such as moot court competitions, legal clinics, and social clubs.
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Torts
The first year of law school, also known as the 1L year, is a high-pressure setting meant to prepare students for a career in law. Students take classes in criminal law, constitutional law, and torts, among others.
The concept of torts is pretty straightforward, focusing on intentional torts committed. However, there are two types of "intent" to consider. The first is when someone does something with a specific purpose, and the second is when someone does something knowing that a consequence will occur. This second type is more complicated as it requires substantial certainty that an event will occur if a particular action is taken.
The first third of a Torts class typically covers intentional torts, while the second third focuses on negligence. Negligence deals with an objective standard, considering what a reasonable person would do in the defendant's position. There are four elements to negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Outside of the classroom, first-year law students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, join moot court competitions, and seek out social clubs to narrow their career interests and build a strong network.
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Property Law
A first-year law student will take classes in a variety of subjects, including property law. Property law, also known as real estate law, deals with the various forms of ownership in real property (land) and personal property. It provides the basic rules and principles used to resolve matters and disputes over property.
The basic distinction in common law systems is between real property (land) and personal property (chattels). While this distinction is not as significant as it once was, it is still fundamental due to the essential differences between the two categories. For example, land is immovable, so the rules that govern its use must differ.
Property rights are distinguished from personal rights, and practically all contemporary societies acknowledge this basic ontological and ethical distinction. Historically, marginalized groups have been denied legal rights to own property, and this distinction is not always easy to draw.
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Extracurriculars
Extracurricular activities are an essential part of your legal education and can help you gain hands-on experience. They can also be a great way to showcase your skills, interests, and character to law schools. While grades and test scores are more important factors in the admissions process, extracurriculars can still make a difference and help your application stand out.
First-year law students often underestimate the time commitment of law school and take on numerous extracurricular obligations, sometimes prioritising them over academics. Therefore, it is important to be thoughtful in selecting activities and to start slow. Joining too many organisations can make it difficult to demonstrate commitment and pursue leadership opportunities.
- Mock trials and debate teams: These activities allow you to develop skills in forming and articulating persuasive arguments, which are essential for lawyers. Mock trials specifically help prepare you for trial work and can be a great source of networking.
- Research and writing: Joining a law review or journal can improve your legal research and writing skills. It also demonstrates your commitment to helping others and promoting causes you feel passionate about.
- Leadership roles: Positions in student government or as the leader of a club showcase your leadership skills and indicate that you are respected by your peers. However, it is important to accomplish tangible results during your tenure to positively contribute to your school community.
- Community service: Volunteering in political campaigns, providing free tax advice, or tutoring underserved students showcases your commitment to serving others and promoting causes you care about. It also demonstrates your ability to work well in a team and contribute to a greater community.
- Sports teams and artistic pursuits: Joining sports teams or artistic groups, such as the school orchestra, requires frequent practice and demonstrates dedication and discipline. These activities can also lead to fascinating personal statements that showcase how your pursuit of excellence shaped your character.
Remember, it is important to choose extracurricular activities that you are passionate about and devote your time and effort to achieving tangible results. While law-related activities can make your application more competitive, it is not a prerequisite for admission, and you should prioritise your interests and time management.
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Frequently asked questions
A first-year law student is typically referred to as a "1L".
First-year law students take a variety of classes, including Criminal Law, Torts, Real Property, Contracts, and Constitutional Law ("Con Law"). They may also take part in moot court exercises and learn fundamental skills in legal research, analysis, and writing.
The first year of law school is a high-pressure setting with a highly structured curriculum. Students should expect to encounter the Socratic Method of teaching, where professors ask questions to help students learn how to analyze case law. Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to join extracurricular activities and seek out resources to help them succeed in this challenging environment.
