Carolina Law’s Summer Session typically begins soon after May Commencement, lasts six weeks, and offers various courses for students from UNC and other law schools. Students may enroll in a maximum of 6 credits. In 2024, between May 13 and June 21, students can earn between 1 and 4 credits in the courses listed below. Please note that:
- nearly all of the instruction will occur remotely,
- two courses are pass/fail (Deposition Skills and Externship),
- Professional Responsibility and Evidence have final exams, and
- the other courses have no exam.
Currently enrolled students can find more details on My Carolina Law at https://my.law.unc.edu/academics/
One Credit Courses
Deposition Skills
(Prof. Kennedy; Online Synchronous & In-Person)
This experiential course provides an introduction to taking and defending a deposition. Students will learn how to examine a deponent efficiently and strategically, deal with objections, prepare a witness for a deposition, and defend the witness and the deposition record. The relevant rules of civil procedure and professional responsibility will also be discussed.
Two Credit Courses
Advanced Legal Research
(Profs. Rowe & Wisniewsky; Online Asynchronous)
This course will offer students the opportunity to expand their skills in using primary and secondary legal sources in the context of legal practice. The course covers a range of advanced search techniques for statutory, administrative, and case law research. Upon completion of this course, students will have gained experience formulating efficient research methodologies and evaluating sources of legal information in various formats. Course grades will be based on a series of research assignments and class participation.
Judicial Clerkship Writing
(Prof. Warf; Online Synchronous)
This class is designed primarily for students interested in or already pursuing judicial clerkships after graduation. Students will track the life cycle of an appeal from initial briefing through final opinion and beyond. Through in-class exercises and out-of-class writing assignments, students will learn about the behind-the-scenes mechanics of an appellate court and develop their skills in synthesizing arguments and drafting clear and complete bench briefs, judicial opinions, and more.
Professional Responsibility
(Prof. Bannon; Online Synchronous)
Regulation of the legal profession; lawyer advertising; trust accounting; lawyer-client relationship; conflicts of interest; confidentiality and privilege; ethical dilemmas in litigation. Intended to prepare students for MPRE. Thematic emphasis on professionalism and developing your identity in the legal community.
Electronic Discovery Technologies
(Prof. Rowland; Online Asynchronous)
The course helps students understand the growing practice of electronic discovery and how changes are impacting the way attorneys manage and provide legal services. Areas of focus include: document management in a digital environment; information literacy; metadata; and professional responsibility. Readings and hands-on experience will address both general technological issues as well as specific legal ramifications.
Writing for Practice
(Prof. Gurvich; Online Synchronous)
Writing for Practice (W4P) builds on the practical writing skills introduced in RRWA I and II to prepare students for writing they will likely do as junior attorneys in various legal practice settings. Like RRWA I and II, W4P uses cycles of instruction-writing-feedback to help students hone their writing processes—for example drafting and revising—and products, including familiar genres such as internal memoranda and motion memos and new genres with new audiences, for example blog posts, letters, and feedback on others’ writing.
Three Credit Course
Evidence
(Prof. Scardulla; Online Synchronous & Asynchronous)
A comprehensive survey course, Evidence introduces students to all major aspects of the Federal Rules of Evidence through the problem-based method. The course covers the following topics: real and demonstrative evidence, relevancy, character evidence, the qualification of expert witnesses, examination of witnesses, credibility and impeachment, competency, hearsay, and privileges. The focus of this course will be on the practical application of the rules of evidence in the courtroom.
Four Credit Course
Externship
(Prof. Lyubkin or Zanin; Field Placement & Online Synchronous)
Students in the Summer Externship Program work on site at their field placement approximately 28 hours per week for a total of 172 hours; submit weekly journals and time sheets; attend individual conferences with their faculty supervisor; and attend weekly class meetings (remote, held on Fridays). In addition, students are required to attend the Monday, May 15, orientation program and one field trip TBA.
Registration
Registration for the 2024 summer session will open March 21 and close in mid-May. Late registration may include a fee. All Carolina Law and visiting students must register by and attend classes the first week of summer session. If you have questions about registration, please contact the Carolina Law Registrar’s Office by email at srsessom@email.unc.edu.
Tuition and Fees
Summer 2024 tuition and fee rates are: Resident $661.23/credit; Non-Resident $1677.45/credit.
Tuition may be paid online via ConnectCarolina or by mail to University Cashier, Suite 2215 SASB North, CB #1400, 450 Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1400.
Visiting Students Summer Session Registration
Students from law schools other than Carolina Law may register for summer session. A residency determination establishes if students should have in-state or out-of-state tuition. Apply for residency.
The registration form and a letter of good standing should be received in late April to be considered for early registration. Visiting students who do not complete registration by early May may be required to pre-pay tuition/fees or provide proof of financial aid prior to registration.
Visiting students should complete the online registration form and submit a letter of good standing from your Registrar or Academic Dean to:
