1. Blogging as a Legal Writing Assignment
Ralph W. Flick, JD, MBA
Assistant Professor
Pacific Lutheran University
Academy of Legal Studies in Business, National Conference, August 10, 2018

2. Abstract
Often student written work is read once, graded and never used again; however, faculty can leverage free (or very low cost) open source software to establish a business law weblog and publish student written work in a medium with which millennial students can relate. The resulting weblog provides students with an opportunity to participate in faculty/student research, create a possible resume item, and presents unique opportunities to improve writing competency. Over time, a body of work develops that contributes to the public discussion and provides a database of past work as a model for future students.

3. Problems Student Writing Skills
Level of Target Writing Skill of Traditional Term Paper
Learning Legal Analysis/Language
Academic Format (e.g., APA)
The Desk Drawer Problem
Single Deadline Problem
Short-Form News Format Common for Millennials
Student Writing Skills. One problem that I have noticed in my student population is a General Writing skill deficiency.

4. Solutions General Readership Format Semester-Long Build
Peer Collaboration/Group Activity Work
The Roommate Standard
Publication Opportunity
Off-the-Shelf, Open Source, Low/No Cost

5. Learning Objectives
Create a general readership, publishable written summary of a major case for an online legal blog.
Conduct basic legal research.
Apply the IRAC analysis format to a general audience.

6. Assignment Max 1,500-word Blog Post
Segmented During Semester (4 sub-assignments)
Topic Selection
Outline
First Draft
Final Draft
Short Weekly Group Progress Activity
IRAC Format
Two Secondary Sources

7. Example

8. Issues/Lessons Learned
Even More Segmenting
Style Guide
Focus on Secondary Source Research
Understanding the IRAC Elements
Tech Issues (for Faculty and Students)
University Approval
Student Privacy
Student Motivation
Supreme Court Cases Only

9. Status AY17-18: Initial Implementation AY18-19: Revised Implementation
ALSB Montreal: Paper Submission

10. Resources Existing Blog: www.lutebizlaw.org
Materials:
WordPress

11. Questions

12. Blogging as a Legal Writing Assignment
Ralph W. Flick, JD, MBA
Assistant Professor
Pacific Lutheran University
Academy of Legal Studies in Business, National Conference, August 10, 2018