Mastering U.S. Law

Mastering U.S. Law: A Handbook for International Graduate Students is a multifaceted text that will guide international graduate students through their entire experience in United States law schools from application to the bar exam. This handbook is intended to serve as the primary text for the Introduction to U.S. Law class that is required by many LL.M. programs and state bar exams. It can further serve as a reference tool for foreign trained lawyers who are engaged in legal or quasi-legal business in the United States and need a better understanding of the U.S. legal system.

Students will find the text discusses the core principles of the U.S. legal system highlighting common differences from other global systems. These principles will help students, among other things, understand the importance of case law and how to use it in legal analysis. The handbook further outlines the distinct types of instruction and expectations in a U.S. law school classroom along with strategies for success in these courses, with accompanying charts and examples to clarify these concepts.

Additionally, Mastering U.S. Law has chapters discussing the constitution, state and federal court systems, legal analysis using caselaw, outlining for exams, and exam strategies. There is a glossary of U.S. law school terms as well as appendices for historical context. Finally, each substantive chapter includes review questions that can be assigned for assessments or can be used as in-class discussion points.