The Legal Research and Writing Program (LRW) provides instruction in legal analysis, research, and writing to all students in the GW community. The program is run by Christy DeSanctis, the director.  During the 2008-2009 academic year, three visiting professors also will be joining the LRW program full-time: Jessica Clark and Amy Stein, as visiting associate professors of legal writing; and John Bessler, as visiting associate professor of law. 

The program consists of two required courses: Legal Research and Writing in the fall and Introduction to Advocacy in the spring. In Legal Research and Writing, the focus is on basic research and writing skills with an eye toward predictive writing and the office memorandum. In the spring, the focus shifts to persuasive writing, and Introduction to Advocacy students will advance their clients’ positions through written court submissions and oral advocacy. Current first-year students can find additional information on the Legal Research and Writing TWEN page.

These courses are taught by experienced practitioners who serve on the law school’s adjunct faculty. Current program adjuncts include: prosecutors, defense attorneys, practitioners from almost every branch of government, lobbyists, public interest attorneys, regulatory attorneys, corporate lawyers, and attorneys with wide-ranging experience in private practice. The small class size (of approximately 12) guarantees individualized instruction throughout the first year. Each adjunct professor works with a Dean’s Fellow, a third year student selected during a competitive application process to teach in the program. Dean’s Fellows also provide an invaluable teaching and mentoring role during the first year.

The program also provides instruction to upper-level students through the Scholarly Writing and Thesis courses. Second year students who are members of one of the Law School’s journals will take Scholarly Writing, a year-long class designed to assist them as they write their notes. Certain LL.M. students will be required to take the two-semester Thesis course as they work on their thesis papers. 

The program operates an in-house Writing Center where students can seek additional writing assistance.  The Writing Center is staffed by 2L and 3L students who excel as writers and are trained as legal writing tutors. The Writing Center is open to all students – from first years to LL.M. students – and to writers at all levels and in any stage of the writing process. Assistance is also available from the University’s Writing Center.