Learning Outcomes

The following is the A.B.A. Standard 301 Statement Regarding Learning Outcomes for the Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Certificate

• Understand the substantive, evidentiary, procedural, and constitutional framework that governs the resolution of civil disputes in United States courts, including the rules and principles that apply to the pretrial, trial, and appellate stages of a civil lawsuit.
• Understand the substantive, procedural, and constitutional principles that govern the division of authority between state and federal courts.
• Learn the relevant doctrines, rules, and key cases in civil procedure, evidence, federal courts and jurisdiction, and conflict of laws. 
• Understand the rules and principles that govern alternatives to litigation, such as settlement, mediation, arbitration, and other alternative dispute resolution processes. 
• Understand the relevant substantive, evidentiary, procedural, and constitutional principles that govern the resolution of civil disputes in state and federal administrative agencies.  
• Develop fundamental skills needed by the modern civil litigator, including negotiation, client counseling, problem-solving, legal research and analysis, and written and oral communication.    
• Understand the professional and ethical responsibilities owed to clients and the legal system and demonstrate a high level of professionalism, ethical behavior, and cultural competency in at least one client representation experience. 
• Take at least one advanced substantive course that exposes students to specialized areas of civil litigation practice.