Course | Columbia Law School

This course aims to provide a theoretical, strategic, and practical framework for students interested in advocacy. Early in the semester, we will focus on the skills that are central to any type of advocacy, whether in the public or private sector and whether in law, politics, or other fora. Then, while continuing to develop relevant advocacy skills, the course will turn more specifically to the theory and practice of advocacy in contexts that are typically, though not exclusively, associated with public interest lawyering. This part of the semester will also provide an opportunity to consider critically a range of advocacy strategies and the related dilemmas regarding ethics and efficacy of multidimensional advocacy. Guest speakers will join, on occasion, to share their insights.

In addition to short assignments during the semester (e.g. crafting a mission statement; preparing a press release and related statement; and others), students will write a paper (20 pp) exploring advocacy strategies in an area of law of interest to them. Class participation is also essential.

The course also offers an opportunity for students to obtain up to 3 additional ungraded points for their student-initiated externships (often known by students as internships) during the academic year. The class meetings will provide a structured and academically-grounded opportunity for reflection on and learning from those externship experiences. Students enrolling in the externship credit section of the course will, in addition to their externship work, also be expected to outline their goals and prepare regular reflections regarding their work.

There is no cap to this course. However, students who are interested in obtaining credit for an iexternship in addition to the course, whether during the fall or spring, must contact Professor Goldberg (suzanne.goldberg@law.columbia.edu) to indicate their interest and obtain approval for their externship plan.