Read This Section Carefully
The Lawyering Skills Course is a skills-based, 7-credit, pass-fail course without a final
exam. To pass the course and receive 7 credits, you must: (1)
attend classes as required; and (2) complete all
written assignments.
- Taking Attendance. We take attendance twice daily by circulating sign-in attendance rosters. Your are responsible for signing each roster. You may not have anyone sign on your behalf. Missing one full class day constitutes two absences.
- Permitted Absences.
- You are allowed four (4) unexcused absences, the equivalent of two class days. To get the full benefit of this unique course, you should not miss any class. If you choose to miss class, choose judiciously. When your permitted absences are used up, they are exhausted for good and for all purposes. Remember that for personal scheduling during the semester, you have approximately twenty-two weekdays on which the LSC does not meet.
- You are also allowed six (6) excused absences, the equivalent
of three class days. An excused absence is one that
is: (a) for an unavoidable circumstance as described
below; and (b) authorized in writing by either LSC course director (Prof.
Cagle or Prof. Viney).
Unavoidable circumstance means:- Dealing with a medical or family emergency;
- Attending a personally-significant funeral;
- Attending a wedding in which the student has a substantial role;
- Participating in a university-sponsored competition;
- Representing the law school or university at a professional meeting;
- Interviewing for a job if the student states in writing that the potential employer will not reschedule the interview to accommodate the student's class schedule;
- Engaging in exceptional and mandatory work-related activities over which the student has no control (but general press-of-work does not qualify); or
- Other extraordinary and unique excuses, if approved in writing by either director.
- All other absences are unexcused absences. An unexcused absence includes everything else. Examples of unexcused absences are: routine medical appointments; minor discomforts ("don't feel well," headaches, upset stomachs, general lethargy); job interviews for which alternative scheduling can be arranged; conflicts with other classes or with routine (although heavy) work responsibilities; transportation problems if bus service is available.
- Your excused absences must be authorized. Excused absences must be authorized by either director. To request authorization, you should submit the Absence Authorization Form which you may obtain from the Student Handbook, the LSC office or the course website (http://www.law.wisc.edu/academics/lawskills/) A director will review and respond to your absence request within three days. Submitting an absence request three days prior to an anticipated absence assures a timely response that will inform you if the absence is excused. If you miss class unexpectedly because of an emergency, complete the Absence Authorization Form upon your return to class. A director will decide and inform you if the absence is excused.
- Exceeding permitted absences. If you exceed your permitted absences (four unexcused and six excused) for any reason, you have not met the attendance requirement for this course. See Resolution Options, below.
- Special attendance requirements. Special attendance
rules apply to the Skills Training Week and to classes in which you are assigned
to a performance role.
- Attendance is mandatory for Skills Training Week. Skills Training Week runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as shown on the course schedule. Only extraordinary exceptions such as a serious medical condition might excuse attendance on those dates.
- Attendance is required if you have an assigned performance role. If you are absent on a day when you are assigned a performance role in class or the Daily Report, you must find, in advance, another student to substitute in that role. If you fail to do so, you will be assessed one added unexcused absence. Please be responsible in finding a colleague able to cover for you.
- Absence Resolution Options.
- You have two options to resolve absences beyond the permitted
limit. These are the options to make up an unexcused absence:
One: Propose and complete a make-up project approved by a director (ex. directed research).
Two: Attend a CLE seminar approved by a director. Most Wisconsin State Bar CLE programs are free for law students. Each half-day CLE program makes up one existing unexcused absence. We may limit the number of times you use this option.
- You must choose your options in writing. Submit
your Absence Resolution Option to Prof. Cagle or Prof. Viney in writing.
Identify each absence and your plan to resolve it. For both options, you are required to meet with either director to review your plan.
- You must complete your option before the first day of the law school exam period. Each Attendance Resolution Option must be submitted and completed before the first day of the Spring exam period. If this deadline is missed, you will receive an Incomplete for this course.
- You have two options to resolve absences beyond the permitted
limit. These are the options to make up an unexcused absence:
