Vermont Law School will continue with virtual classes during the fall semester. The physical campus will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. VLS community members should check their email for more information. Please visit vermontlaw.edu/covid19 for general information, resources, and updates.

Required Courses

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​​​​​​​​Find courses to help fulfill degree requirements from the list below and take your next steps towards graduating.

Required Courses

7255/Appellate Advocacy

An exercise in appellate brief writing and oral argument using a case pending before the United States Supreme Court. Classes focus on the appellate process, complex research and analysis, preparation of briefs, critical writing skills, and oral argument.

7104/Civil Procedure I

This course studies the procedural rules governing civil actions in the state and federal courts, from commencement through appeal, including jurisdiction over parties, joinder of parties and claims, contents of pleadings, pretrial motions and discovery, conduct of trial, post-trial motions, res judicata, collateral estoppel, and conflicts between the state and federal judicial systems.

7103/Civil Procedure II

Continues the study of the procedural rules governing civil actions in the state and federal courts, from commencement through appeal, including jurisdiction over parties, joinder of parties and claims, contents of pleadings, pretrial motions and discovery, conduct of trial, post-trial motions, res judicata, collateral estoppel, and conflicts between the state and federal judicial systems.

7112/Constitutional Law

Covers individual rights, including equal protection, due process, and the First Amendment. It also covers standing, the political question doctrine, the inherent powers of the president (including war time powers), and Congressional powers to regulate under Section 5 of the 14th Amendment.

136/Constitutional Law II

This course focuses on the historical development of major constitutional doctrines and the process of constitutional decision-making, and explores major techniques of constitutional interpretation. The Commerce, Due Process, and Equal Protection Clauses, as well as the first Amendment are highlighted.

7130/Contracts

This course examines in detail the requisite elements of a valid contract, while analyzing the effects of contracts on third parties and the impact of outside forces on contracting parties.

7140/Criminal Law

This course focuses on the foundation of our system of substantive criminal law, with emphasis upon mental state, responsibility, justification and excuse, inchoate crimes, and liability for the conduct of another.    Please see class descriptions by term.

7175/Foundations of Legal Analysis

115/Intro to the Lawyering Process

7100/Introduction to Law and Policy

7120/Legal Analysis and Writing I

Introduction to the building blocks of legal analysis and legal writing. Students are taught to read critically, and how to apply critical reading and thinking skills to common law and statutory analysis.Students also learn the fundamentals of legal writing - accuracy, brevity, and clarity - through a series of typical exercises typical of assessments given to new lawyers.

7170/Legal Methods

7265/Legal Profession

The study of a lawyer's professional obligations based on the ABA's Model Rules, ethical rules from selected jurisdictions, and other laws and traditions governing professional conduct. Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to identify ethical dilemmas and acquire the tools to help resolve them.

120/Legal Reasoning, Writing & Research

7122/Legal Research

Introduction to legal research tools and strategies relevant for law school as well as legal practice. Topics include legal authority, the use of primary and secondary sources, effictive use of LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other electronic databases, the role of the Internet in legal research, and a brief introduction to environmental and international legal research. Emphasis is placed on appropriate and effective research strategies and evaluation of sources, both print and electronic.

7125/Legal Writing II: Theory and Practice

Develops fundamental legal writing, reasoning, and research skills in the context of the analysis of a specific subject matter. This course also provides the transition from predictive to persuasive legal writing and advocacy and an introduction to other legal problem-solving skills.

7121/Legal Writing Lab

7186/Legislation and Regulation

7185/Legislation/Regulation

7265/Professional Responsibility

The study of a lawyer's professional obligations based on the ABA's Model Rules, ethical rules from selected jurisdictions, and other laws and traditions governing professional conduct. Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to identify ethical dilemmas and acquire the tools to help resolve them.

7160/Property

An introduction to the concept of ownership and its legal implications: rights to control, enjoy, and transfer real and personal property, including public and private restrictions on use; estates in land; concurrent ownership; adverse possession; easements and licenses; and landlords and tenants.

7180/Public Law

Provides a comprehensive introduction to public law, focusing on the constitutional structure of government, the legislative process and statutory interpretation, the nature and authority of public administrative agencies, the methods agencies use to establish regulations and other legal rules, and the process for judicial review of agency action.

7150/Torts

This course presents the study of the legal protection afforded against interference by others with the security of one's person, property, or intangible interests.