Lawyering for Change

This course will explore how lawyers advance social and institutional change both using the traditional model of litigation and moving beyond it. By linking theory and practice, the class will explore innovative roles and strategies for addressing pressing social problems and advancing social justice in challenging times. Over the course of the semester, we will explore a variety of theories of change currently in use, and link theory to practice by (1) systematically reflecting about strategies for pursuing positive social change at the individual, group, community, and societal levels; (2) forming working groups (collaboratories) organized around issue or problem areas to collaboratively assess and apply the theories of change explored to a project, (3) meeting with thoughtful practitioners involved in advancing change and (4) conducting several workshops designed to build knowledge and skills needed to put that theory of change into practice.

The class will cultivate the strategic capacity lawyers need to effectively collaborate, engage in constructive conflict, have courageous conversations, and address difficult and complex problems. The course will introduce a systems approach to addressing complex problems, and a variety of cutting edge change frameworks and strategies for advancing change through law. It will address strategies for collaborative change as well for addressing intractable change and the backlash that predictably accompanies transformational change. We will consider the role of judicial intervention in producing mobilization and counter-mobilization. By developing practical tools informed by theory, students will be enabled to produce their own theories of change and plans for their roles as change agents.

The class is a first year elective. A quarter of the class will include upper level students, and LLM students, to build a cross-generational learning community and allow for different perspectives reflecting students at different points in their professional development.