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 2023, Between May 15 and June 23, students can earn between 1 and 4 credits in the courses listed below. Please note that:
- nearly all of the instruction will occur remotely,
- four courses are pass/fail (Deposition Skills, Externship, Transactional Law Research, Transition to the Profession),
- Professional Responsibility and Evidence have final exams, and
- the other courses have no exam.
One Credit Courses
Deposition Skills (7:00-9:00 PM June 6, 7, 8 and 9 AM to 5 PM June 10 & 11)
(Prof. Kennedy; Online Synchronous & In-Person; Experiential)
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.
Restorative Justice (Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 PM)
(Prof. Weissman; Online Synchronous)
This course will explore restorative justice and the ideas that form its foundation, question its strengths and shortcomings, examine restorative practices, and investigate opportunities to put the theory into practice. It will give particular consideration to restorative justice practices as they relate to gender and other forms of family violence, as well as campus sexual assault matters. It will compare restorative justice with transformative justice and community accountability mechanisms. Students will have the opportunity to interact with individuals and coalitions in the area who are working in restorative justice circles both within and outside of formal legal processes.
Transactional Law Research (Begins May 15; Asynchronous)
(Prof. Kirschenfeld; Asynchronous; Experiential)
This course teaches students how to find and evaluate the law as it relates to transactional topics. It serves the following School of Law learning outcome: Students shall be able to find, analyze, and use relevant legal materials (including, among others, statutes, cases, regulations, and other administrative materials) to identify and resolve problems and communicate legal analysis in a variety of written and oral formats.
Transition to the Profession (Monday & Wednesday 6-7:30 PM; Begins May 17; No Class May 29 or June 19)
(Prof. Constance; Online Synchronous)
This course seeks to empower students (1) to explore how lawyers navigate the profession in a healthy, successful way, (2) to facilitate learning opportunities for professional identity formation, exploration and reflection, and (3) to enter the practice of law with the communication and professional skills to thrive in fulfilling legal careers.
Two Credit Courses
Advanced Legal Research (Begins May 15; Asynchronous)
(Profs. Downing & Rowe; Asynchronous; Experiential)
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 (Monday through Wednesday 7-8 PM through June 15)
(Prof. Warf; Online Synchronous; Rigorous Writing Experience)
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. Grades will be based on class participation and three out-of-class writing assignments.
Professional Responsibility (Tuesdays 5:30-8:00 PM Plus 9:30 AM to 12 PM on these Saturdays: May 20 and June 3 & 10)
(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.
Three Credit Course
Evidence (12-1 PM Monday through Thursday Plus Friday Asynchronous Instruction: No Class May 29 & June 19)
(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 (Orientation May 15; Friday Meetings either 10-11:30 or 10:30 to 12:00)
(2 Sections; Prof. Lyubkin or Zanin; Online Synchronous & Field Placement)
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 2023 summer session opens at 8:00 AM on Thursday, March 23, and closes 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
UNC will set 2023 summer fees in March. We expect some increase from 2022 summer fees, which were, per credit, Residents $472 and Non-Residents $1,056.
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:
