Prerequisite:This seminar is open to LLM students by permission.

Exam Type: No Exam

The Policy Advocacy Workshop is a hands-on seminar that will explore the methods, tools, and skills used to conduct legislative and regulatory advocacy. Many law students are interested in using their legal education as a pathway to engage in policymaking. This course will provide students with a range of active opportunities to learn about, discuss, and practice written and oral policy advocacy via simulations and assignments.

Students will learn about the process of issue spotting policy opportunities, developing policy advocacy campaigns, drafting legislation and regulations, and using written and oral advocacy to push for policy change. Students will learn how to effectuate policy reforms that could have real world application by drafting written materials and presenting oral advocacy to demonstrate an implementation strategy for a range of policy reform ideas.

After a few weeks of introductory reading and discussion, there will be short written assignments or preparation for in-class simulations due each week. The students not participating in the assignment for the week will workshop and provide input on the writing and presentations of their classmates, and discuss strategies and skills for improvement.

Each week will focus on a different type of skill or written document relevant to policy advocacy. These will include:

• Issue spotting and policy development
• Petitioning agencies and commenting on agency regulations
• Legislative research and drafting
• Writing policy briefs
• Communications and media strategy
• Grassroots advocacy
• Creating fact sheets and sign-on letters
• Testifying for policymakers

Classroom sessions will also include presentations from guest lecturers who have relevant policy experience, including advocacy organizations, think tanks, and policymakers. Rather than a final examination, grades will be determined on the basis of their written submissions, in-class role plays, class participation, and a final project.

This course satisfies the clinical seminar requirement for both the Food Law & Policy Clinic and the Health Law & Policy Clinic. The drop deadline for students enrolled in this course in a clinical seat is December 13, 2024.

To learn more about the Clinical Curriculum and Registration, please visit our Clinical Registration Center.
You can also find more information on How to Register for Clinics and How Clinical Credits Work.