Lawyers consistently rate skills in research, writing, and oral communication as critical to the success of their careers. The University of Arkansas School of Law offers a strong program in Legal Research and Writing (LRW) to help students develop expertise in these vital areas.

The program includes three required semesters of LRW courses. The program begins during orientation week with a carefully planned introductory curriculum. In groups of 25 to 30, students learn about the state and federal legal systems, read and brief cases, use the Young Law Library, dissect judicial opinions, and debate their application to hypothetical client problems. LRW I continues in the fall semester with a focus on basic research tools and strategies and objective legal analysis and memoranda.

Full-time faculty review student drafts, provide written notes, and regularly meet with students one-on-one during the term to assist students with their work.
In the spring semester, students practice their advocacy skills, writing an appellate brief and arguing their client's position before a "court" of local attorneys who volunteer their time each year.

The third semester of LRW exposes students to client letters, pleadings, motions, trial-level briefs, and non-litigation drafting. Taught in seminar-sized groups of 15, students may be asked to research and make a presentation to the class on a practice-oriented subject or they may draft a settlement agreement.

Elective upper-level opportunities for research and writing are also available. Many faculty members teach seminars with research and writing projects. Several skills classes, such as drafting legal documents and business planning, incorporate substantial drafting assignments.