Research Instruction

Spring Semester 2027 | Scheduled Courses

Advanced Legal Research: Methods & Sources (ALR) (21027-01)

Units: 2 or 3, Graded
Instructor: Steven Mitchell
Tuesdays 2:10 AM - 4:00PM

An advanced exploration of the specialized methods and sources of legal research in the following areas: secondary legal authority, case law, statutes, legislative history, court rules, practice materials, and administrative law. The course will also cover the legal research process and tracking research, as well as other strategies for efficient and effective legal research. A laptop is required for use during class time, as class sessions will integrate the use of online, print, and other sources to address legal research problems: . Students are required to complete a series of assignments, in addition to the other course requirements. Prior enrollment in a legal research course is NOT required but may be helpful.

Note: LL.M. students who wish to qualify for a third unit will need to write a paper. This option of a third credit is only available to LL.M. students.

American Legal History (21063-01)

Units: 3 or 4, Graded
Instructor: John Witt and Kathryn James
Mondays and Wednesdays 1:35 PM - 3:00PM

A selective tour of 19th and 20th century legal history, with emphasis on institutional foundations, intellectual formations, and transformative movements. Subjects include the rise of the modern state and its accompanying intellectual formations; the organization of legal knowledge; the laws of capitalism and labor; black freedom projects and their aftershocks; the mass incarceration phenomenon; the law of immigration; and conservative legal mobilizations. Readings in primary and secondary materials, including traditional legal history sources as well as the social history of the law. The course will draw on the manuscripts, archives, and rare books collections across the university. Each student will write a paper based in primary sources, for 3 or 4 credits as appropriate based on the workload of the paper project. Also HIST 760.

Course Application Information: In addition to listing this course among permission-of-instructor selections, interested students should submit a short statement of no more than 200 words on your interest in the course and / or a paper project you would produce. No need for a pre-existing paper idea. The course will work with archivists and manuscript librarians around the university to identify primary source collections in 20th-century legal history here at Yale. No prior coursework or experience in legal historical research required. 

Research Methods in Foreign and International Law (21487-01)

Units: 2, Credit or Fail
Instructor: Lucie Olejnikova
Fridays 10:00 AM - 12:30PM

This 10-week seminar in advanced foreign and international law research emphasizes the research process, strategies, and evaluation of sources in many formats in changing information environment. It explores methods for finding the major sources of international law, including treaties and customary law; the documentation from the UN and other inter-governmental organizations; and laws from nations other than the United States. Particular attention is paid to practical research issues and solutions using both print and electronic resources. Research interests of the class and other specialized topics may also be explored. Minimum enrollment of five required. This course will meet weekly for ten weeks in the first half of the term.

Note: Attendance in the first class is strongly recommended.

Writing & Research for Legal Practice (21026-01)

Units: 3, Graded
Instructor: Olivia Hoffman and Shira Megerman
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:10 PM - 3:35PM

Building on the foundational skills taught in Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing (ILAW), this course helps students become proficient in the essential elements of legal writing, research, and analysis. The course exposes students to predictive, preventative, and persuasive writing, acquainting students with common types of work product that practicing lawyers often prepare. Students will compose effective emails; engage in public writing; negotiate with a counterparty; draft and redline contract provisions; write and revise a summary judgment brief; offer clients advice orally; and evaluate generative AI output. Students also will learn strategies and skills for how to research complex legal questions efficiently. After this course, students will feel confident to succeed in clinics, summer internships, and beyond.

Note: All students, including interested students on the waiting list, should attend the first class. Waitlisted students who come to the first class will receive priority should any slots become available.

Writing & Research for Legal Practice (21026-02)

Units: 3, Graded
Instructor: Chichi Lee and Joy Hovestadt
Mondays and Wednesdays 4:10 PM - 5:35PM

Building on the foundational skills taught in Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing (ILAW), this course helps students become proficient in the essential elements of legal writing, research, and analysis. The course exposes students to predictive, preventative, and persuasive writing, acquainting students with common types of work product that practicing lawyers often prepare. Students will compose effective emails; engage in public writing; negotiate with a counterparty; draft and redline contract provisions; write and revise a summary judgment brief; offer clients advice orally; and evaluate generative AI output. Students also will learn strategies and skills for how to research complex legal questions efficiently. After this course, students will feel confident to succeed in clinics, summer internships, and beyond.

Note: All students, including interested students on the waiting list, should attend the first class. Waitlisted students who come to the first class will receive priority should any slots become available.

Writing & Research for Legal Practice (21026-03)

Units: 3, Graded
Instructor: Noah Messing and Shira Megerman
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:35 PM - 2:00PM

Building on the foundational skills taught in Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing (ILAW), this course helps students become proficient in the essential elements of legal writing, research, and analysis. The course exposes students to predictive, preventative, and persuasive writing, acquainting students with common types of work product that practicing lawyers often prepare. Students will compose effective emails; engage in public writing; negotiate with a counterparty; draft and redline contract provisions; write and revise a summary judgment brief; offer clients advice orally; and evaluate generative AI output. Students also will learn strategies and skills for how to research complex legal questions efficiently. After this course, students will feel confident to succeed in clinics, summer internships, and beyond.

Note: All students, including interested students on the waiting list, should attend the first class. Waitlisted students who come to the first class will receive priority should any slots become available.

Writing & Research for Legal Practice (21026-04)

Units: 3, Graded
Instructor: Cecilia Silver and Joy Hovestadt
Mondays and Wednesdays 1:35 PM - 3:00PM

Building on the foundational skills taught in Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing (ILAW), this course helps students become proficient in the essential elements of legal writing, research, and analysis. The course exposes students to predictive, preventative, and persuasive writing, acquainting students with common types of work product that practicing lawyers often prepare. Students will compose effective emails; engage in public writing; negotiate with a counterparty; draft and redline contract provisions; write and revise a summary judgment brief; offer clients advice orally; and evaluate generative AI output. Students also will learn strategies and skills for how to research complex legal questions efficiently. After this course, students will feel confident to succeed in clinics, summer internships, and beyond.

Note: All students, including interested students on the waiting list, should attend the first class. Waitlisted students who come to the first class will receive priority should any slots become available.