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Joseph F. Rice School of Law

  • Susan Kuo teaching class

Legal Fundamentals

The courses in this area are considered fundamental for all lawyers, whether those lawyers are general practitioners or specialists, work in huge firms or in solo offices, practice in small towns or big cities, or even work for the government or the military. These areas are also tested on the Uniform Bar Exam (used by South Carolina and 40 other jurisdictions) and make up the majority of topics on other state bar exams. 

Required First Year Courses 

  • Civil Procedure 
  • Constitutional Law 
  • Contract Law 
  • Criminal Law 
  • Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing I 
  • Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing II 
  • Property 
  • Torts 

Second Year Priority Courses 

  • Business Associations 
  • Criminal Procedure 
  • Evidence
  • Problems in Professional Responsibility
  • Wills, Trusts, and Estates 

Other Recommended Courses 

  • Advanced Civil Procedure 
  • Advanced Legal Analysis 
  • Advanced Legal Writing 
  • Conflict of Laws 
  • Family Law 
  • Legal Analysis Workshop 
  • Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing III 
  • Sales 
  • Secured Transactions 
  • The Academic Success and Bar Preparation Program is primarily concerned with these topics. 
  • Other programs that focus on these areas are the Academic Success Tutoring Program, and serving as a tutor is a great way to reinforce your learning in these areas. 
  • Because these topics are so entwined with being a lawyer, externships and clinics involving criminal law, business law, or any of the other above topics are helpful. 
  • Our law school’s PILLARS Program also emphasizes key study and life skills. 
  • Our Bridge to Law Program provides the opportunity for law students to mentor middle and high school students interested in law. Mentors develop leadership and facilitation skills. 

Becoming a member of any student organization or journal or taking part in any competition will necessarily touch on some of these topics and reinforce your understanding of them. At the same time, if you are concerned about passing your courses or passing the bar, you may wish to strategically choose a small number of extracurricular activities.  

These (and other) faculty and staff may be available to advise you, supervise your own legal research ("SLR"), or hire you as a research assistant. Learn about them through their biographies, and then consider reaching out. 

 

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