Is taking a contract drafting class useful? Forum

[carsondalywashere]

For part of next summer, I will be working in a real estate transaction group. I am considering taking either a contract drafting class or a local government class which are offered at the same time. The local government class sounds more fun and I have heard it is useful for real estate, but I don't want to drop contract drafting if that is also or more useful for real estate. And while I am not working in M&A or PE this summer, if a contract drafting class is useful for those areas I would also not want to drop contract drafting.

So, is a basic contract drafting class useful for those going into transaction practice areas or is mostly a wash? Intuitively I feel like it would be useful, but a faculty member told me so many contracts involve boiler plate language that taking a contract drafting class is not a big deal. I also did an in-house internship where I did some basic contract work if that means anything.

[rollingby]

Yes, contract drafting is very useful for working in real estate, however, probably won't be for your summer. Just take it as a 3L.

[Anonymous User]

You should definitely take the contract drafting class. It'll be useful.

[cam1992]

Similar question. Would such a class be a good idea for someone who accepted a litigation offer for next summer but is currently planning on trying to change to real estate or M&A after this summer? My plan was to take the transactional drafting course so I could discuss it in interviews, but I recently got off the waitlist for a negotiations class that I would really like to take (I have heard great things about this class and I believe that it would really benefit me). Thoughts?

[boredtodeath]

The contract drafting class will be the most useful/closest to real practice class you will take in law school if you are going transactional. It will also be the most mind-numbing and make you realize what you're getting yourself into by going transactional.