Gaining hands-on experience is a critical part of becoming a great lawyer. At Seton Hall Law, you’ll find a variety of opportunities to practice, learn, and excel—from winning an argument before an appellate court to negotiating valuable deals to successfully trying a case before a jury.
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All Seton Hall Law students participate in comprehensive legal skills training as part of our Legal Practice Curriculum, applying learned skills to unique lawyering situations through both simulated role plays and real-client representation .
Experiential courses are led by experienced practitioner-professors, including federal judges and attorneys from diverse practice areas. Small course sections ensure that each student has the opportunity to practice their skills in every class, gets significant interaction with instructors, and receives personalized feedback.
Students practice and refine their lawyering techniques in a controlled learning environment where instructors can provide immediate feedback and focus on specific skills. Our Legal Practices Curriculum utilizes three categories of simulation training.
The real highlights have been the extracurriculars and experiences beyond the classroom. Researching and writing a comment for the Seton Hall Law Review has been particularly rewarding. My externships provided me with opportunities to work on real-life legal matters that were both engaging and educational.
I recommend that students look for corporate opportunities during the school year as extern/internship opportunities, then use summers to look for more traditional opportunities in firms.”
Students work in a variety of real-client environments to develop practical skills
in real-world lawyering contexts. At Seton Hall, that includes externships, pro bono
services, and clinics. Earn Credit Through Externships Students work alongside practicing attorneys and gain direct work experience while
earning two academic credits. Externships are available with approved not-for-profit
and government organizations, entertainment companies, and state and federal judges.
Learn More Make a Difference with the Pro Bono Service Program Starting as early as their first year, students can gain exposure to on-the-ground
lawyering while positively impacting someone’s life. The program allows students to
volunteer at a not-for-profit or government organization based on a diverse range
of interests, including consumer rights, tenant advocacy, criminal justice, mental
health, and youth programs. Learn More Serve the Community Through our Clinics Students move from the classroom to the real world, representing clients and handling
cases from start to finish. The majority of our clinical courses take place through
the Center for Social Justice. Students may also participate in conflict management clinics, representing real
clients in mediations in federal court or in claims before the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (aka “FINRA”). Learn More
Some legal practice courses are only offered once per year, while others may be offered only in alternating years. Additionally, other advanced legal practice courses may be added to the curriculum in future semesters. Students should plan ahead when considering legal practice courses.
Persuasion and Advocacy is a prerequisite for advanced litigation and clinical classes. Students who plan to further develop their skills for legal practice should take it as early as possible.
An evidence course is required to enroll in Advanced Civil Practice, a prerequisite for Trial of a Civil Matter. An evidence course is also required for Advanced Criminal Practice, a prerequisite for trial of a Criminal Case.
To enroll in clinical courses, students must first complete courses in Persuasion and Advocacy, Evidence, and Professional Responsibility.
No more than 15 credits of legal practice and self-directed work credits will be counted toward graduation. It is important to note:
Additionally, there are some limitations regarding related classes counting toward the graduation credit requirement. For example, students are not permitted to take both Advanced Civil Practice and Advanced Criminal Practice to meet the requirement. Where such limitations exist, they will be listed in the course descriptions.
For additional guidance on curriculum planning, contact Professor Jamie Pukl-Werbel.
