Legal Research and Writing

Graduate With the Writing Skills the Law Demands

At Gonzaga University School of Law you can expect more from our legal skills program. The difference starts with legal research and writing.

Most law schools require only one year of writing classes. At GU, we believe extensive training in legal research and writing is the cornerstone of a successful legal career.

That's why we require two years of legal research and writing, to provide an exceptional grounding in the practical and essential skills the law demands.

Our required two-year writing curriculum makes us unique among law schools. It's a skill-building process that will improve both your research and writing skills. Because classes are small, every student receives a great deal of individual attention.

Students complete the program in four sequential semesters:

Year One:

The first year is about fundamentals. Students write to provide information — what the law is, and how the law relates to a factual situation.

Year Two:

The second year builds on the first, adding transactional drafting and persuasive writing directed to the trial and appellate courts.