In
today’s world, it is just not enough for students
to leave law school knowing how to “think like
a lawyer.” That is necessary, as lawyers would
say, but not sufficient. Today, graduating students
need to have the skills and the knowledge of the
profession that enable them to hit the ground running.
The Drexel Law Co-op Program will provide a unique
opportunity for law students to synthesize the legal theory learned in the
classroom with the critical knowledge and professional skills learned in
the field under the close supervision of experienced practitioners. Our
strong institutional commitment to integrating this program as a core part
of the curriculum, along with the opportunity for students to devote most
of their academic focus to their Co-op experience during the time they are
participating in the program, distinguish this program from experiential
programs offered by other law schools.
The
Drexel Law Co-op is being developed at one of the nation's
best Co-operative education universities. This
model is being adapted to meet the specialized requirements
of legal education, which prioritizes the importance
of ongoing integration of the law learned inside and
outside the classroom.
The
Drexel Law Co-op is a two-quarter field placement that
allows a student to work in a corporation, law firm,
judicial office, public interest organization, or governmental
agency. Each Co-op is chosen for the quality
experience that it can provide law students as part
of their overall academic experience. The Co-op
supervisors will benefit from having the student with
them for almost six months. Law students will
benefit from the ability to learn - over a significant
period of time - not only the law of the practice area
and the skills needed to succeed there, but also the
knowledge of the host institution and the industries
to which it belongs.
The
first Co-ops will not occur until after the first year
of law school, so that our students have been given
the opportunity to learn foundational legal doctrines,
practice fundamental skills, and understand ethical
standards. The first Co-op
cycle will begin in September 2007, the second in November
2007.