Learning Outcome #1: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of substantive and procedural law and the American Legal system.
Performance Criteria:
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of core legal doctrine, as defined by the courses required in the law school curriculum and those courses most frequently tested on the bar examination.
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of advanced legal doctrine, as defined by elective doctrinal courses in the law school curriculum.
- Graduates will identify various sources of law (e.g., common law, statutes, administrative regulations), describe how those sources are developed, and articulate differences among them in terms of their legal effect.
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and processes of the American legal system.
Learning Outcome #2: Graduates will demonstrate an effective ability to resolve legal issues.
Performance Criteria:
- Graduates will identify the relevant facts and the legal issues as they arise in a variety of contexts.
- Graduates will read legal authorities critically and synthesize the applicable rules, standards, and policies from those authorities.
- Graduates will thoroughly apply the relevant legal authorities to the relevant facts, including evaluating potential counterarguments, to determine the likely outcome.
- Graduates will assess and appropriately take into account the policy implications of the legal authorities applicable to the relevant facts.
- Graduates will develop and evaluate potential solutions to resolve legal problems that advance the client’s goals.
Learning Outcome #3: Graduates will communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to clients and other audiences in a variety of legal contexts.
Performance Criteria:
- Graduates will demonstrate active listening, facilitation and dialogue skills.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to effectively explain legal doctrine.
- Graduates will demonstrate the iterative process of writing by developing, editing, providing and receiving feedback and incorporating the received feedback.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to communicate, formally and informally, in both objective and persuasive settings.
Learning Outcome #4: Graduates will research effectively and efficiently.
Performance Criteria:
- Graduates will devise and implement a logical research plan which reflects an understanding of the limitations created by time and financial constraints.
- Graduates will accurately assess the weight of authority.
- Graduates will identify and effectively employ the fundamental tools of legal research.
Learning Outcome #5: Graduates will demonstrate competency in additional skills that are essential for effective lawyering.
Performance Criteria:
- Graduates will capably manage legal projects (case, memorandum, mediation, transaction, etc.) from inception to conclusion.
- Graduates will identify and be familiar with alternative dispute resolution techniques such as negotiations, mediations, arbitration and lawmaking activities.
- Graduates will effectively plan and control their use of time and other resources.
- Graduates will demonstrate their ability to work as part of a team.
Learning Outcome #6: Graduates will exercise proper professional and ethical judgment in interactions with clients, the profession and the legal system.
Performance Criteria:
- Graduates will be familiar with and have the ability to locate and apply the Rules of Professional Conduct and related authorities which govern the conduct of attorneys.
- Graduates will recognize, identify and resolve ethical and other professional issues that are unique to the legal profession.
- Graduates will display professional civility, dignity and respect in all interactions with clients and all persons who are part of the legal system.
- Graduates will recognize disparities of power and their effects on individuals and organizations as they interact with and through the legal system.
- Graduates will recognize the special professional and ethical duty lawyers have to their clients, including the “consideration for the defenseless and oppressed.” (quote from Missouri Bar Oath).
Learning Outcome #7: Graduates will exemplify SLU LAW’s mission.
Performance Criteria:
- Graduates will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and intellectual openness in the context of a commitment to serve others.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to provide competent and culturally sensitive legal services to all clients, including those who are underserved.
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the important role that lawyers play in the rule of law, achieving social justice, and the good of society.
- Graduates will demonstrate a capacity for empathy, reflective learning, and self-awareness through the recognition of personal perspectives, preferences and biases.