University of Houston Law Center Professor Katherine Brem is an award-winning educator in the UHLC’s Lawyering Skills and Strategies program.
Learn how to navigate law school with Professor Brem’s new interactive course “What You Need to Know, When You Need to Know It: A Modular Orientation Course to Start Law School with Confidence,” published by West Academic.
Dec. 12, 2025 ‒ The University of Houston Law Center Professor Katherine Brem has authored a new book, “What You Need to Know, When You Need to Know It: A Modular Orientation Course to Start Law School with Confidence,” a new interactive course published by West Academic to help incoming law students navigate the transition into legal education with confidence and clarity.
Brem, an award-winning instructor in UHLC’s Lawyering Skills and Strategies program, designed the course to demystify the start of law school, a transition that often feels like learning a new language. Drawing on her classroom experience and expertise in legal pedagogy, she offers practical, accessible guidance to equip students with essential tools from day one.
“Beginning law school is an exciting and transformative time, but it can also be overwhelming,” Brem said. “My goal with this course is to give students a clear understanding of how law school works, how lawyers think, and how they can thrive academically.”
“Orientation to Law School” uses short videos, self-check questions, practical examples, and a step-by-step approach to introduce fundamental skills—how to read and brief cases, how the Socratic method works, how to analyze legal problems using IRAC, and how to prepare strategically for exams and the law school curve. Each module builds on the last to help students learn to study, think, and communicate like lawyers.
Course Modules Include:
Brem previously practiced complex commercial litigation before joining UHLC, where she has earned recognition for her excellence in teaching and her contributions to legal writing and pedagogy. Her student-centered, highly interactive approach continues to shape how the Law Center prepares students for professional success.
