Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle

A fine example that speaks for itself.

Can You Find All The Torts?

How many torts are committed in this one minute clip and by whom? Assault? Battery? Is there Justification?  Consent? Why use words to describe a hypothetical when reality, or in this case, the Reality TV Awards Show, can provide the video hypothetical?

Law Music Video - Law School Musical

This week's installment in the "Law Music Videos" series is Law School Musical from Owen.  Law music videos played before your class starts will positively contribute to learning.

Warning! This video includes the word “sh_t.” But it is a reality dose that should stimulate some student self-examination and a flurry of appointments with pre-law advisors.

Thanks to Owen - song writer, video creator and ostensible U of Md Law Student.

Attorneys' Fees - Hourly Fees

Students often have not considered that lawyers in the private practice of law are in the business of selling legal services for a fee. They are generally aware that lawyers charge fees, but have given little consideration to how that might work and its implications.  In class, I raise the issue about the practical necessity of having legal representation to assist one in navigating the civil justice system  This starts off with discussing the lawyers' fees.  I encourage students to be informed consumers of legal services and to be upfront in inquiring about fees. Lawyers are not shy about discussing fees - they should not be shy either.  I use the following videos as examples:

Employee or Independent Contractor

The video below is part of a series of business law related videos featuring Attorney Jay Zellmer of Grass Valley, California. Thanks to Atty. Zellmer for his permission to feature the videos, here. I have used this one, and others in the series in class. Unlike many other attorney generated videos that are available on line, they are short, simply stated, informative, sincere, and without  a hard sales pitch.  Although there are no bells and whistles with these videos, sometimes it is useful for students to hear a voice other than mine.

This video deals with distinguishing between an employee and an independent contractor.

Preparing Witnesses

In my experience, students are not merely suprised, but are shocked to discover that lawyers typically prepare witnesses for testimony. Failure to properly prepare a witness may, in fact, be considered malpractice. Either of the videos below reinforce the point.  There are a wealth of related videos available.  I chose the first one below for its candor and the second one for its brevity.

Law Music Video - The Preamble (to the Constitution)

This week's installment in the "Law Music Videos" series is The Preamble from the folks at Schoolhouse Rock. I see a lot of smiles when this one plays.  It's a little silly, but it is also familiar - and that has value.  Law music videos played before your class starts will positively contribute to learning.