University of Missouri School of Law: Planning Your Legal Education

Planning Your Legal Education

You are responsible for planning your own legal education in addition to those courses deemed so fundamental that they are required by the law faculty for graduation. This planning process should be initiated early and reviewed from time to time in light of your changing interests and demonstrated capacities. The Dean and faculty are always available for consultation regarding your educational program.

Each student should become familiar with the subjects covered in any bar examination they may contemplate taking, as well as courses of study which may be required by a particular jurisdiction. Such knowledge may aid materially in program planning in the area of electives.

Another important consideration is the nature of practice you are considering. The law school attempts to make available to students an array of useful elective courses.

In order to aid students in program planning, the law faculty has identified three general areas of practice divisions within the profession. The areas of practice are described as those of the Business Lawyer, the Public Lawyer, and the General Practitioner.

Students who can identify their desire and capacities as falling within one of these major practice groupings (and this is often very difficult to do) should seriously consider election of courses pertinent to it.

Business Lawyer	Public Lawer	General Practitioner
The Business Lawyer is a specialist in a variety of legal problems involved in business activities and is likely to be involved in the litigation process as well as in research, writing, and negotiating. Suggested electives are: Administrative Law Antitrust Law Business Organizations Business Torts Corporate Finance Corporate Tax Secured Transactions Modern Payment Systems Bankruptcy Advanced Bankruptcy Sales and Leases of Goods Environmental Law Insurance Law Labor Law Mediation Employment Discrimination Arbitration and Labor Problems Products Liability Securities Regulation Trial Practice Conflict of Laws	The Public Lawyer is primarily involved with the governmental process as it affects individuals, groups, businesses, and other entities. The litigation process characterizes this lawyer's work. Suggested electives are: Administrative Law Business Organizations Secured Transactions Environmental Law Family Law Labor Law Mediation Local Government Law Trial Practice International Business Transactions Federal Courts	The General Practitioner meets the bulk of the public's need for legal services and, hence, requires the broadest possible background, including courses which will facilitate involvement in the litigation process as well as research, writing, counseling, and negotiation. Suggested electives are: Administrative Law Business Organizations Secured Transactions Modern Payment Systems Bankruptcy Sales and Leases of Goods Family Law Estate & Gift Taxation and Planning Insurance Law Local Government Law Products Liability Real Estate Finance Mediation Trial Practice

Every effort is made to teach each of these courses every year, but the ability to offer them depends on faculty availability and budget constraints. Several required and elective courses are taught each summer.


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