What Students Wish Were Covered in Every Law School’s Curriculum — And Where It’s Already Happening
Law school teaches students how to think like lawyers—but many graduates say it doesn’t always teach them how to work like lawyers. From financial literacy to courtroom skills to mental health support, students consistently point to real‑world topics they wish were part of every law school curriculum.
The good news: some law schools are already leading the way.
For applicants and parents evaluating programs, understanding these gaps—and knowing which schools address them—can help you make smarter, more informed decisions.
⚖️ 1. Practical Lawyering Skills Beyond Casebooks
Students often feel unprepared for the day‑to‑day realities of legal practice, especially in their first year on the job.
What students want:
- Drafting real contracts and pleadings
- Negotiation and client‑counseling practice
- Courtroom simulations
- Managing caseloads and deadlines
Schools doing this well:
- Northeastern University School of Law requires full‑time co‑ops that immerse students in real legal work.
- University of Chicago Law School offers extensive simulation courses in trial practice and negotiation.
- Stetson University College of Law is nationally recognized for trial advocacy and hands‑on courtroom training.
💼 2. Business and Financial Literacy for Future Attorneys
Many law students graduate without understanding billing structures, law firm economics, or basic financial management.
What students want:
- How law firms make money
- Billing practices and timekeeping
- Personal finance and student loan management
- Basics of running a solo or small practice
Schools doing this well:
- Georgetown Law offers courses on law firm management and legal operations.
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School integrates Wharton business courses into its JD curriculum.
- Suffolk University Law School provides training in legal tech, project management, and practice innovation.
🧠 3. Mental Health, Burnout Prevention, and Wellness
The legal profession is known for high stress and long hours. Students want structured support—not just optional workshops.
What students want:
- Stress management strategies
- Burnout prevention
- Access to mental health resources
- Training on maintaining work‑life balance
Schools doing this well:
- Yale Law School offers robust wellness programming and peer support networks.
- University of Miami School of Law integrates mindfulness and wellness courses into the curriculum.
- University of Colorado Law School provides resilience training and mental health initiatives for all students.
🏛️ 4. Understanding the Legal System Beyond Theory
Students want more exposure to how courts, agencies, and legislatures actually function.
What students want:
- Administrative law in practice
- How judges make decisions
- How legislation is drafted
- Real‑world policy work
Schools doing this well:
- NYU School of Law offers immersive clinics in federal policy, administrative law, and government litigation.
- Harvard Law School provides legislative and regulatory practice clinics with hands‑on policy drafting.
- University of Virginia School of Law offers judicial externships that place students directly in judges’ chambers.
🤝 5. Professionalism, Ethics, and Client Interaction
Students want more training in the interpersonal side of lawyering.
What students want:
- Communicating with clients from diverse backgrounds
- Managing difficult conversations
- Ethical decision‑making in real scenarios
- Leadership and teamwork
Schools doing this well:
- University of Michigan Law School offers courses on leadership in legal practice.
- Boston University School of Law integrates client‑counseling simulations into its curriculum.
- Loyola Law School (Los Angeles) is known for its strong ethics and professionalism training.
📱 6. Technology, AI, and the Future of Legal Practice
As legal tech evolves, students want training that prepares them for the modern practice environment.
What students want:
- E‑discovery tools
- AI‑assisted research
- Legal analytics
- Cybersecurity basics
Schools doing this well:
- Chicago‑Kent College of Law offers a pioneering program in legal innovation and technology.
- Arizona State University (Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law) integrates legal tech and AI into multiple courses.
- Cornell Tech’s LL.M. program blends law, business, and technology for future‑focused legal training.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Law school provides a strong foundation in legal reasoning—but students want more preparation for the realities of modern practice. The schools already integrating practical skills, wellness, financial literacy, legal tech, and real‑world experience offer a glimpse of what legal education could become.
For applicants and parents, these examples can help guide your research and spark the right questions during campus visits and interviews. A law school that invests in these areas isn’t just teaching doctrine—it’s preparing future lawyers to thrive.