Legislative Drafting

Discussion - 2 hours. Legislative Drafting at UC Davis School of Law provides practical experience in researching, analyzing, and drafting legislative measures in the State of California, including bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments. The course is one semester in length, offered during the fall semester, and worth 2 credits. The course is offered to both 2Ls and 3Ls, with priority going to 3Ls. This is a skills-based course for students to be trained in drafting and amending legislative measures. As such, we have a limit of 12 students.

Legislative drafting is a particular genre of legal writing. It has been called the most difficult form of legal writing because it often addresses complex, societal problems. This course will provide insight into the California legislative process and students will develop extensive research and writing skills related to legislative drafting. They will engage in constitutional and statutory research, including federal and state laws, and draft and revise legislative measures. Students will read and study about the theoretical and practical aspects of legislative drafting, how statutory law is created, constitutional limits to lawmaking, and more. This academic work will be combined with a few guest speakers and numerous drafting exercises, with at least one drafting assignment due each week throughout the semester.

Among the goals of the course are for students to gain a deeper understanding of the state legislative process, legislative drafting, theories of statutory interpretation, and constitutional restrictions on lawmaking, and to develop the tools needed to craft effective legislation. Drafting guidelines and techniques are studied and applied in practical exercises each class.

Law 257 Legislative Process is recommended, but not required.


Graduation Requirements: Counts towards Professional Skills Requirement.
Final Assessment: Paper

Advanced Writing
No
Units
2
Professional Skills
Yes
Course Number
257D
Active
Yes

Certificate

Cluster

Unit 16
No