Page 7 - Lawyering Skills and Strategies Brochure

Highlights 2017-2018

Legal Writing Institute
Biennial Conference
Lawyering Skills and Strategies professors recently participated
in the Legal Writing Institute (LWI) Biennial Conference held at
Marquette University School of Law in Milwaukee.
Kenneth Swift appeared on a panel titled, “Catch the Wave:
Teaching Skills Online,” discussing his experiences with teaching legal skills, such as writing
and drafting, in an online format and discussed the future of online courses in legal education.
Kate Brem joined a panel discussion on behalf of the Legal Writing Institute’s Global Legal
Skills Committee, discussing best practices in teaching international LL.M. students as well
as strategies for developing syllabi and research and writing exercises uniquely suited to
international students.
Whitney Heard presented as part of an Idea Bank Live session on how to introduce first-year
students to legal drafting through the use of a pet custody agreement.
Irene Ten Cate participated in the 2018 LWI Writer’s Workshop in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She
presented her work-in-progress that examines ethical aspects of performance enhancement
in two contexts: the use of prescription stimulants by university students who have not been
diagnosed with an attention disorder, and the off-label use of beta blockers by musicians to
reduce physical effects of stress that negatively impact their ability to perform.

Legal Writing Workshop
at UH Law Center
University of Houston Law Center was one of seven law
schools across the nation selected to host the 2017 Legal
Writing Institute’s nationwide One-Day Workshop series.
Legal writing educators from law schools across the country
gathered at the Law Center for the professional development program.
With a theme of “Stepping into Spring: Preparing for the Second Semester,” program topics
ranged from the use of the Multistate Performance Test in the second semester to introducing
students to persuasive writing. Attendees learned how to incorporate partner meetings, self-
assessment, cultural competency, and a pro bono culture into the classroom.
The workshop featured presentations by professors from Brooklyn Law School, William & Mary
Law School, Pepperdine University School of Law, Loyola Law School, St. Mary’s University Law
School, Texas A&M Law School, and The University of Texas Law School. Several UHLC faculty
members made presentations throughout the day, including Clinical Assistant Professors Kate
Brem, Whitney Heard, Alissa Gomez, and Clinical Associate Professor Hilary Reed.