Legal Studies study plan

Outline the hierarchy of primary and secondary sources of law, distinguishing constitutions, statutes, regulations, and case law.

Explain how precedent and stare decisis operate within a common law system, including the difference between binding and persuasive authority.

Describe the basic structure of the U.S. Constitution and how judicial review functions.

Compare the roles of legislatures, agencies, and courts in creating and interpreting law.

Map the federal and state court systems, including subject matter and personal jurisdiction requirements.

Summarize the stages of civil litigation from pleadings through appeal, including discovery and summary judgment.

Outline the elements of a crime and the constitutional protections in criminal procedure (e.g., search, seizure, interrogation).

Distinguish civil and criminal burdens of proof and the roles of judge and jury.

Identify the elements of contract formation: offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual assent.

Analyze defenses to enforceability such as fraud, duress, unconscionability, and statute of frauds.

Explain remedies for breach, including expectation, reliance, and restitution interests.

Apply the UCC Article 2 rules to a sale-of-goods scenario.

Distinguish intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability, listing the elements of each.

Apply the duty, breach, causation, and damages analysis to a negligence scenario.

Explain defenses to tort liability, including comparative negligence, assumption of risk, and immunity.

Identify common business torts and the concept of vicarious liability.

Classify property interests (real vs. personal, freehold vs. leasehold) and describe how ownership is transferred.

Summarize landlord-tenant rights and duties, including habitability, security deposits, and eviction procedures.

Outline the legal framework for marriage, divorce, property division, and child custody.

Compare the best interests of the child standard with other custody standards.

Identify the basic forms of business organization and the liability implications of each.

Explain key employment law doctrines: at-will employment, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour rules.

Describe the role of administrative agencies in regulating business and employment.

Apply a legal issue-spotting framework to a business or employment scenario.

Summarize the core duties of legal professionals: competence, confidentiality, conflict of interest, and candor.

Explain the difference between legal ethics rules and general moral principles.

Review and synthesize source-of-law concepts from Weeks 1–2 to reinforce retention.

Practice applying ethics rules to a scenario involving client confidentiality and conflicts.

Integrate all domains by completing a timed, 50-question practice exam covering every domain.

Review incorrect answers and create a personalized list of weak areas with corrective study actions.

Rehearse rule statements for the most heavily tested doctrines in each domain.

Finalize a one-page master checklist of key legal tests and definitions.