practicum courses are a good idea, to help soon-to-be associates learn “to focus on the facts and not on the other lawyer.” Davis should know. The firm he cofounded in 1969 in Atlanta—Davis, Matthews & Quigley P.C.—now has one of the largest family law practices in Georgia. He has handled thousands of divorce cases, including around 70 jury trials, which are unusual for a family law attorney in general. In fact, Davis, who earned his
Professor Robin Wilson with 3Ls Kelsey Baughman and William Bridges. “In the press of practice, as fast-paced as it is—it is invaluable for new lawyers to hit the ground running,” said Wilson. “Working through complex problems allows our students to develop the kind of judgment and seasoning that can come only from real lawyering.”
undergraduate degree from Duke in 1963 before attending W&L Law, was the first family law attorney to be elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers. Davis agreed to put his experience to work on a review of W&L’s Advanced Family Law Practicum, taught by Professor Robin F. Wilson. The class parallels the progression of a relationship that begins with marriage and ends in divorce, exposing students to the gamut of services an attorney may provide to individuals contemplating marriage or divorce, from drafting an initial prenuptial agreement to filing a divorce petition through settlement proceedings and trial.
PHOTO BY KEVIN RE MINGTON
Overview
Students generally take 12-14 credits each semester. Each third-year semester begins with a two-week skills immersion—a litigation-based experience in the fall and a transactional-based experience in the spring. For the remainder of each semester, students enroll in two electives in the form of practice-based simulations, clinics or externships. At least one of the four electives must include real practice experience. Students also participate in a semester-long course that explores major contemporary issues in the legal profession, including the economic, social and cultural forces that affect legal practice and life as a lawyer, and must complete 60 hours of law-related public service. If they wish, students may also take courses from the traditional curriculum to supplement the experiential components, but it is not required.
Skills Immersion Program
Clinic, Externship or Practicum Module
3–5
Clinic, Externship or Practicum Module
3–5
Fall Litigation (2 Weeks) Spring Transactional (2 Weeks)
2 The Legal Profession Course
1
Law-related Service
1 Semester Total 12–14 Academic Year Total 24 –28
W i n t e r
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