Overview

The Legal English and Legal Writing seminar is a comprehensive and dynamic program for legal practitioners and law students to enhance their understanding of English legal terminology and improve their legal writing and reasoning skills. The seminar explores the US legal system—covering critical areas such as contract law, constitutional law, commercial law, and legal drafting—giving participants the practical tools to navigate both US legal practice and international legal contexts. In addition to offering improved language acquisition and legal writing, participants are introduced to the foundational principles of US legal reasoning, empowering them to apply legal concepts and terminology with confidence and precision. The seminar will provide the skills necessary to thrive in a multi-jurisdictional legal environment, whether you aim to work with US clients, firms, or organizations, or are preparing for an LL.M. program in the United States. Interactive and hands-on, the seminar includes a blend of lectures, individual writing and speaking exercises, and collaborative group projects, ensuring that participants gain a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of US law. 

Additionally, by special request, the International Law Institute offers complimentary one-on-one tutoring sessions with US lawyers to provide personalized feedback on writing samples and deepen participants’ understanding of course materials.

Certification 

Upon successful completion of the seminar, each participant will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Successful completion requires that a participant diligently attend all seminar sessions promptly and on time throughout the seminar, read all assignments, and participate in all group discussions and exercises. If a number of sessions are missed without proper reason, the ILI reserves the right to withhold certification.

Format

This seminar is currently offered in-person. Special requests to attend online must be submitted by email as early as possible. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the overall experience of each participant and the larger group. In-person seminars, even when being joined online, run from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm Washington, D.C., time.

Course Outline

• U.S. Legal institutions
• Introduction to Common Law
• Researching and interpreting cases in the U.S. legal system
• Legal research (including practical exercises)
• Contract law
• Legal Writing and analysis (including exercises)
• Overview of U.S. business law
• Overview of commercial arbitration in the U.S.
• The U.S. Role in International Trade
• Effective Negotiation Techniques in Commercial Context

Course Advisor

Jacob M. Coate is an associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, where he specializes in antitrust and other complex litigation. He has a passion for making legal writing concise, straightforward, entertaining, and effective. Jacob previously served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Gruender of the U.S. Court of Appeals and for Judge Gwin of the U.S. District Court. He was also a Constitutional Law Fellow at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and an associate at an international law firm. Jacob graduated magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. Before that, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University.