Part 1. Becoming an attorney (us) fundamentals

Core Vocabulary 2

study / learn / cover a subject – изучать / учиться / пройти предмет

master a course/ skills – освоить курс (предмет) / навыки

required / core / major courses – основные курсы

optional / elective courses – предметы по выбору

course paper / dissertation – курсовая работа / диссертация (как дипломная завершающая работа)

complete a course - - завершить изучение курса (предмета)

get a qualification / qualify for a lawyer – получить квалификацию / стать квалифицированным юристом

obtain a degree – получить ученую степень

gain experience – приобретать опыт

provide / develop / deepen the knowledge – давать /развивать, совершенствовать / углублять знания

clinic / clinical – практические занятия, учебная практика; место проведения практики

training program - программа профессиональной подготовки

Bar examination - экзамен при поступлении в коллегию адвокатов

reasoning – аргументация, рассуждения

brief - краткое письменное изложение дела, записка по делу

moot - учебный судебный процесс

mock trial - инсценированный судебный процесс

memorandum (pl. - memoranda; memorandums)- служебная записка, справка, письменная справка, докладная записка

draft a document – составлять документ

hands-on learning – обучение на практике

jurisdiction – зд. судебный округ

Duration of education

Undergraduate course: skills to develop

Degree obtained

Admission requirements

LSAT:

sections and skills

Graduate course:

1^st year courses

2^nd year 3d year courses

Degree obtained

Bar exam: purpose

C

We are speaking today about legal education in the USA, and our guest is Mr. Steve Edwards. Firstly, how long does it take to become a lawyer?

E

7 years. That means 4 years of undergraduate study for a bachelor’s degree followed by the graduate Juris Doctor (JD) law degree.

C

So, law is not offered at the undergraduate level, is it?

E

No, students read law only at law schools

C

Would you fill us in on some details of the undergraduate course? I mean, what college to choose, what subjects to study

E

Gladly. Law students need to develop the three basic skills: communication skills both written and spoken; research skills; and especially analytical thinking skills. These abilities can be developed by any major: social sciences, history, economics, humanities, and engineering. So a bachelor’s degree at any top college or university that provides highly efficient background will give you a better chance for admission

C

Here we come to admission. Is it really that difficult to enter a law school?

E

I wouldn’t say it is difficult if you, first, have high undergraduate grades, and, second, also score high on the LSAT

C

Ah, yes, the famous Law School Admission Test? As I know, it’s a rather thorny kind of examination.

E

If you read up for LSAT properly it’s not that hard.

C

Could you tell us more about it?

E

Sure but just in brief. The test measures reading and verbal reasoning skills that are essential to succeed in law school. It consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. Only four of the five sections will contribute to your score. These sections include one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, and two logical reasoning sections, an experimental section which can be any of the above and finally, and an essay writing section

C

OK, a successful applicant becomes a happy student. What courses make up the first year curriculum?

E

During the first year of law school the students usually take major courses such as Constitutional Law, Contracts, Property Law, Torts, Civil Procedure and Legal Writing.

C

A few words about the program of Legal Research and Writing, please

E

The students are taught to work with documents just the way a lawyer usually does. They attend the library, write legal memoranda, draft documents, and prepare briefs. They have to write a course paper once a semester

C

What other practical experience do they acquire?

E

They participate in the school’s moot competitions in which the skills of argumentation are developed, in mock trials under the supervision of experienced lawyers and judges, and in legal clinic activities.

C

Will you say a bit more about the clinical education?

E

Sure. A special clinical semester is aimed at gaining practical experience by young lawyers. It is a hands-on learning model when students develop their lawyering skills working with real clients. Of course the clinical semester is offered for the second or third year students.

C

What courses are included into the second and third year program?

E

For upper-level students the courses are mainly optional. There usually is a broad range of offerings from which a student can plan his or her own curriculum. It depends on the perspective practice area you are aiming at. But at the same time it’s essential to deepen and broaden the basic legal literacy and understanding the law as a whole.

C

Which major courses did you specialize in?

E

I chose the career of a business lawyer from the start, so the courses I was mastering were Corporate Law, Business Organization, Antitrust Law, Commercial Law, Intellectual Property and such.

C

What comes after the graduation?

E

You graduate from the school, gain the JD and look for a job. You may find the position but you can’t practice law. You must be licensed, or admitted to the Bar. All States require that applicants for admission to the Bar pass a written Bar Examination; most jurisdictions also require applicants to pass a separate written Ethics Examination

C

Thank you, Mr. Edwards. I hope we meet next time to discuss career possibilities for young lawyers.