JD Curriculum

Our standard Juris Doctor (JD) curriculum is built for the real world. You’ll graduate client-ready—able to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems with confidence. 

At Case Western Reserve, you’ll gain the experience and perspective to succeed anywhere the law takes you.

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In our JD program, you can:

• Work with clients in your first year.
• Learn transactional drafting and statutory and regulatory analysis in your first year.
• Spend a semester working in one of our on-campus clinics or externships in the U.S. or abroad.
• Pursue a concentration (similar to an undergraduate major) in a field such as business law, health law, or international law.
• Study abroad during your 2L or 3L year at one of 15 partner schools around the world.
• Earn a foreign LLM in Europe alongside your JD—with no additional tuition.

Year-by-Year Breakdown

Year One: Build Your Foundation

You’ll start working with real clients in your first year, while taking foundational courses in core legal subjects such as criminal law, contracts and property.

You’ll also begin our signature Legal Writing, Leadership, Experiential Education, Advocacy, and Professionalism (LLEAP) sequence—developing essential research, writing and advocacy skills.

Core Courses

• Criminal Law (3 credits)
• Torts (4 credits)
• Contracts (4 credits)
• LLEAP I (3 credits)
• Law, Legislation and Regulation (3 credits)
• Property (4 credits)
• Civil Procedure (4 credits)
• LLEAP II (3 credits)
• Electives (1 credit)

Year Two: Deepen Your Expertise

You’ll build on the first-year foundation with courses covering major bar exam subjects and begin advanced skills training in litigation, appellate advocacy, or transactional law.

You may pursue a specialty concentration in areas such as business law; civil litigation and dispute resolution; criminal law; environmental law; health law; international law; law, technology and the arts; and public interest law. 

Core Courses

• Constitutional Law (4 credits)
• Professional Responsibility (3 credits)
• LLEAP III (3 credits) — Advanced Litigation, Appellate Advocacy, or Transactional Skills 
• Core and Bar-Tested Courses (e.g., Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Wills, Business Associations, Federal Courts)
• Specialized courses and electives
• Upper-level writing requirement (fulfilled through a seminar, journal, lab, or other writing-intensive option)
• Experiential education requirement (met through clinics, externships, labs, practicums, or skills courses)

Year Three: Apply What You’ve Learned

In your final year, everything comes together in the Capstone Experience—a practice-based project that prepares you for the realities of professional life.

You’ll serve clients as a certified legal intern in one of our clinics, or complete an externship in the U.S. or abroad.

Core Components

• Capstone Experience (6–12 credits)
  • Clinic Capstone – On campus through the Milton and Charlotte Kramer Law Clinic
  • Externship capstones—in Cleveland, across the U.S. or abroad
• Core courses and electives

Course Offerings

Courses are listed under subject area in alphabetical order. Please note courses may be listed under multiple subject areas, and not all courses are offered every year. For course descriptions, visit the General Bulletin.