Barry University, Orlando Campus
First Year Program
Barry has a six credit hour, two semester, first-year required research and writing program.
Legal Research and Writing I is graded on a modified pass/fail system with students receiving a high pass/pass/low pass/or fail for the semester. The course includes legal analysis, research, predictive writing, and citation.
Students complete three major objective writing assignments, including two closed memoranda and one open memorandum. The first assignment, a closed memorandum, is completed in a collabortive environment where students break into law firms and work together to develop analysis, writing, and editing skills. The final project of the semester is an open research memorandum. Students are required to independently research and write a predictive memorandum. Students attend mandatory writing conferences and participate in a Report to Partner exercise. Research librarians teach book and electronic research.
Second semester students shift to a graded course that teaches persuasive writing and oral advocacy skills. Students complete a legal memorandum in support of a pre-trial motion early in the semester and participate in oral arguments. The second half of the semester is devoted to the appellate brief. At the end of the year, students participate in the First Year Oral Argument which culminates in a round of sixteen students who compete for a place on Barry's Moot Court Honors Board.
Upper Level Programs and Courses
Barry offers upper-level writing and research electives including Law Review, Advanced Appellate Advocacy, Advanced Legal Writing, Advanced Legal Research, and non-litigation drafting.
All students must complete an upper level writing requirement in order to graduate. Barry offers multiple seminars and directed research to assist students in completing this requirement.
Faculty
LRW faculty and research librarians at Barry are tenure-track. A Director of Legal Research and Writing guides a collaborative program staffed by seven full time professors.
Two LRW faculty serve in administrative positions, including the Dean of Student Affairs and the Director of Academic Success.
Our LRW faculty have authored articles appearing in law journals, peer reviewed journals, and professional publications. Faculty have presented at conferences, and served on LWI committees, Florida Bar committees, and regularly coach Moot Court teams.
Web Links
www.barry.edu
Other Information
The program operates a Writing Center staffed by five upper level students. Faculty also select a Teaching Assistant for each class section. Teaching Assistants and Writing Center Skills Leaders are selected based on their academic performance as well as their overall suitability to work with incoming students.
Contacts
Heather M. Kolinsky
Assistant Professor of Law
Director of Legal Research and Writing
hkolinsky@mail.barry.edu