Introduction to the U.S. Legal System for Foreign-Trained Lawyers

Using a case-centered approach, the materials in this book have two goals: introduce key basic concepts in the U.S. legal system and prepare students for the manner of learning in a U.S. law school classroom. The cases are chosen to illustrate unique features of the U.S. legal system, teach about procedural devices that will be mentioned in cases that students read for other classes, and provide opportunities for discussion of larger social or legal issues in the United States, if desired. By using cases, the textbook allows the instructor to teach these basics in the same way that students will be taught in their other law school classes. Tips for class preparation and making margin notes are also addressed in the book. The size and cost of this book (intended for a one- or two-credit course) should permit students to buy the book without a strong desire to resell it, thus permitting them to write freely in the book. To keep the book smaller and affordable, much additional information―lecture ideas, and links to possible supplemental reading and videos―is included in the teachers' manual. There is a set of 172 PowerPoint slides available upon adoption of this book. Click here to view a sample presentation. If you are a professor using this book for a class, please contact Rachael Meier at remeier@cap-press.com to request your slides.