Reading Court Cases Forum

[hairbear7]

did you read this whole thread and still think 0L prep was a good idea?

[Foghornleghorn]

Yeah don't read any court opinions before law school. Also don't listen to what 0Ls say about reading opinions. Blind leading the blind.

Ditto. You're more likely to confuse yourself / build incorrect habits. Finals aren't until the semester end. Case reading comprehension will not be why you do or do not do well.

[34iplaw]

I'm just starting to apply, but I think [if I do well enough to get into a school that justifies my decision] I would like to try to prepare. I don't think reading cases is necessarily a good idea, but, perhaps, it would help to read dense literature or some relatively technical literature?

[hairbear7]

That would help with what?

[RaceJudicata]

I'm just starting to apply, but I think [if I do well enough to get into a school that justifies my decision] I would like to try to prepare. I don't think reading cases is necessarily a good idea, but, perhaps, it would help to read dense literature or some relatively technical literature?

If you are just starting to apply, you are really late to the ball game. If you mean "starting to apply" as in August/September, then no, don't read or even worry about the actual content of law school classes for another year plus (as in, on the first day of classes)

[34iplaw]

I'm just starting to apply, but I think [if I do well enough to get into a school that justifies my decision] I would like to try to prepare. I don't think reading cases is necessarily a good idea, but, perhaps, it would help to read dense literature or some relatively technical literature?

If you are just starting to apply, you are really late to the ball game. If you mean "starting to apply" as in August/September, then no, don't read or even worry about the actual content of law school classes for another year plus (as in, on the first day of classes)

I'm just more looking into the whole process very holistically. I'm planning to sit for the LSAT in September. It's not more about content, but more just as to whether reading certain kinds of literature [dense fiction novels; philosophy books; etc.] during free time would be at all beneficial. Or, am I just find sticking with the usual WSJ/Economist/etc. that I read. I realize it is probably a relatively trivial thing.

[RaceJudicata]

I'm just starting to apply, but I think [if I do well enough to get into a school that justifies my decision] I would like to try to prepare. I don't think reading cases is necessarily a good idea, but, perhaps, it would help to read dense literature or some relatively technical literature?

If you are just starting to apply, you are really late to the ball game. If you mean "starting to apply" as in August/September, then no, don't read or even worry about the actual content of law school classes for another year plus (as in, on the first day of classes)

I'm just more looking into the whole process very holistically. I'm planning to sit for the LSAT in September. It's not more about content, but more just as to whether reading certain kinds of literature [dense fiction novels; philosophy books; etc.] during free time would be at all beneficial. Or, am I just find sticking with the usual WSJ/Economist/etc. that I read. I realize it is probably a relatively trivial thing.

If you enjoy reading, read. But there is no magic reading list that will somehow help you be a better law student or lawyer. I think you are trying to get at some notion that if you read these dense articles, that you will be better prepared to read "dense" legal texts. But, IMO, the reading you are doing in law school is not dense, or particularly difficult to understand. There are of course exceptions -- i.e. tax, bankruptcy, some con law (namely, pre-1930ish cases), or Patent, etc.. But for the most part, the reading is pretty straightforward and logical.

[ScottRiqui]

Prepping for law school by reading court cases is like prepping for an art history course by looking at a bunch of paintings - until you have the necessary context to know what's important/novel/interesting about each work, how it related to the works that came before it and how it influenced the works that came after it, you're just wasting time.

[34iplaw]

OK - thank you. I appreciate that insight. I didn't think anything would make be better, but I was curious as to whether something would sort of break me in if that makes sense.

[BigZuck]

Honestly if you were hellbent on prepping for law school I think there's two things that could potentially be helpful:

1. Learn how to type a whole bunch of words very quickly. Even better if what you type is coherent, spelled correctly, etc. but that's not really neccessary. This would be for exams.

2. Learn how to write. Ideally short, clear, punchy sentences written in plain English. This would be for papers.

You don't need to do either of those things but both would be infinitely more helpful than reading cases IMO.

[leifengus]

deleted

[LitigatingLiar]

In talking to law students, one thing that they all said that what makes the first year so hard is that you're essentially learning a knew language. I thought reading cases might help just trying to get used to this. I guess not? Any other suggestions? My fear is that I've been out of school for a while (10+ years) and I fear being behind the curve. Thanks

[rwe13]

Only OL prep I'd recommend is getting your typing on point if you need to since the time limit on exams can be tough and volume is almost always your friend

[justonemoregame]

In talking to law students, one thing that they all said that what makes the first year so hard is that you're essentially learning a knew language. I thought reading cases might help just trying to get used to this. I guess not? Any other suggestions? My fear is that I've been out of school for a while (10+ years) and I fear being behind the curve. Thanks

If I had to recommend one book to a person dead-set on prepping for 1L, it would be a recent copy of an MBE Subjects Outlines book from one of the bar exam prep companies. Kaplan's is called MBE Subjects Outline Materials. The one from Themis is called "Multistate." I don't know what Barbri's is. These books outline the black letter law for all 1L subjects. Used copies are available online - wouldn't go back beyond 2014-2015, if you can help it. Or, if you do, just realize the law may have changed in some areas.

They're not technically introductory materials, since they assume a certain level of knowledge, but they're pretty basic. More importantly, they show you how to organize information. Basically, your outline should be formatted like theirs. If a legal term isn't explained fully, just google or wiki it.

Reading cases will only get you used to reading cases, and unfortunately, the predominate benefit of this is being able to adequately answer a cold call in class. Might make you temporarily feel better, but...it means zero for your grade.

Also, about halfway through the semester, go back to the MBE outline, and see how the information is organized before you start making your own.

[LitigatingLiar]

In talking to law students, one thing that they all said that what makes the first year so hard is that you're essentially learning a knew language. I thought reading cases might help just trying to get used to this. I guess not? Any other suggestions? My fear is that I've been out of school for a while (10+ years) and I fear being behind the curve. Thanks

If I had to recommend one book to a person dead-set on prepping for 1L, it would be a recent copy of an MBE Subjects Outlines book from one of the bar exam prep companies. Kaplan's is called MBE Subjects Outline Materials. The one from Themis is called "Multistate." I don't know what Barbri's is. These books outline the black letter law for all 1L subjects. Used copies are available online - wouldn't go back beyond 2014-2015, if you can help it. Or, if you do, just realize the law may have changed in some areas.

They're not technically introductory materials, since they assume a certain level of knowledge, but they're pretty basic. More importantly, they show you how to organize information. Basically, your outline should be formatted like theirs. If a legal term isn't explained fully, just google or wiki it.

Reading cases will only get you used to reading cases, and unfortunately, the predominate benefit of this is being able to adequately answer a cold call in class. Might make you temporarily feel better, but...it means zero for your grade.

Also, about halfway through the semester, go back to the MBE outline, and see how the information is organized before you start making your own.

Thanks. I'm probably over reacting more than anything. I didn't take undergrad seriously. It's also been a long time since I was in school, so anything I can do to hit the ground running I want to do. I don't want to repeat the mistakes of undergrad.