~Please Note~ |
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ALL Vanderbilt University Virtual School video conferences are scheduled on
CENTRAL time and are for Published Date(s) and Time(s) ONLY.
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| Title |
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Careers In Law |
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| Series |
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Career Conversations |
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| Presenter |
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GINO MARCHETTI -
Lawyer /Partner
Taylor Pigue Marchetti
Law Firm |
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| Target Audience |
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Education: Grade(s): 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Teacher |
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| Disciplines |
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Career Education, Character Education,
Community Interests, Gifted & Talented, Language Arts/English,
Problem Solving |
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| Program Description |
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From Honest Abe to Perry Mason to
high-profile defense attorneys on Court-TV, lawyers have been and
continue to be American icons. But the American legal profession is
much more complex than these stereotypes would suggest, having
evolved into specialized fields with diverse opportunities for
dedicated individuals.
Almost one million lawyers work to
assure the principle of equal justice under law to the people of the
United States. The field has grown swiftly in recent decades, with
the number of lawyers up by more than 400% since the 1960s.
A lawyer is both an advisor and an advocate. As an advisor,
a lawyer informs clients about the legal consequences of proposed
actions, drafts legal agreements, and helps put tangled affairs in
order through counseling and negotiation.
As an advocate, a
lawyer represents a client in court. A lawyer also advocates on
behalf of clients in other settings, such as resolving disputes out
of court.
All lawyers?even those in private practice?are
officers of the court. They are highly regulated by court rules, as
well as by laws and the professional ethics rules. Some lawyers have
been appointed or elected to serve as judges. Judges preside in the
courtroom. In a jury trial, they rule on points of law and tell the
jury about the law that governs the case. If there is no jury, the
judge determines the facts, rules on motions, resolves disputes, and
issues the judgment. There are about 30,000 judges in the U.S.
Being a lawyer usually requires a college degree and a
degree from a law school. Law school takes three years of full-time
study or four- or five-years of part-time study. Then, in almost all
states, the graduate must pass a rigorous test, called the bar exam,
to get a license to practice law.
Most lawyers spend much of
their time outside of the courtroom and are encouraged by judges to
settle disputes without a trial. Lawyers' work can include defending
or prosecuting those accused of committing crime (criminal law) or
representing persons, businesses, and the government in such matters
as contracts and real estate transactions (civil law).
Lawyers:
* talk to clients and to others on behalf
of clients;
* research legal issues;
* draft contracts, wills,
and other documents; and
* counsel, mediate, and negotiate
settlements.
Some lawyers specialize in advising
corporations; some concentrate on taxation or on wills, trusts, and
estate planning; some on immigration issues; entertainment law; some
practice public interest law, such as working to protect the
environment. About 10 percent of lawyers work for various
governmental units in either civil or criminal law. A much smaller
number become teachers of law. Others become judges. Others use
their legal skills and education in other fields. Some lawyers are
corporate executives, bankers, legal affairs reporters, or school
administrators.
Other important abilities include:
* skill in applying applicable law to the facts of each
case;
* a good vocabulary;
* sound reasoning skills;
* the
ability to understand complex written material, as well as to write
clearly and concisely;
* a good memory; and
* the ability to
communicate well orally
* the ability to listen well.
Lawyers interested in a career in a courtroom also need the
ability to think quickly on their feet, speak with ease and
authority in public, pursue details and understand courtroom
strategy.
Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, are
assistants to lawyers. They interview clients, conduct legal
research, and draft legal documents under the supervision of
lawyers.
Mediators help people resolve disputes without
going to court. They meet with the people involved, listen to the
problem, discuss options, and help the parties come to agreement.
Mediation is a rapidly growing field. Mediators are often lawyers,
social workers, or mental health professionals who have participated
in a brief mediation training program.
Court reporters
record everything said as part of the formal trial. Court reporting
is taught at colleges and private business schools.
Join the
Virtual School for this interactive videoconference session as we
explore the legal profession. Careers in Law will prepare your
students for what to expect and what to plan in order to succeed in
the legal profession no matter which path they choose. |
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| Program Format |
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45-minute videoconference segmented into a 25- 30 minute presentation followed by 15-20 minute interactive Question and Answer session with students. The presenter may include audiovisuals to enhance the presentation. |
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| Additional Information |
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| Objectives |
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Students will:
1.Research "Careers In
Law" on the web and through personal interviews
2) Survey and
compile information on: working conditions, education required,
skills needed, job duties, salary, future outlook, similar careers.
3)Complete a one-day shadow of a Lawyer. |
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| National Standards to which this program aligns |
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Standard 6: Understands how the legal system
affects individuals
Level 3 Benchmarks (Grades
6-8)
BD(BE,22;CBE,BE-10)
Understands the role of values
in developing a legal system
BD(BE,22)
Know
citizens? responsibilities under the law
BD(BE,23)
Understands the nature of the federal and state court systems,
including the roles played by legal
professionals
BD(BE,23)
Understands the
differences between statutory law, procedural law, and substantive
law
BD(BE,23;CCE,66;NAE,46:QCI,332-333;TBI,45;)
Understands the differences between civil law and criminal
law
BD(BE,23)
Knows the different categories of
crime (e.g., misdemeanors, felonies, treason)
Level 4
Benchmarks (Grades 9-12)
BD(BE,23;TBE,45)
Understands the
similarities and differences between common law, statutory law,
procedural law, substantive law, and agency
regulations
BD(BE,23)
Knows common sources of
law
BD(BE,23;CBI,BE-10)
Understands the process
courts uses to make law, and the importance of precedent in the
legal system
BD(BE,23)
Understands the
jurisdiction and function of state courts, federal courts, appellate
courts, and the Supreme Court
BD(BE,23;CCE,67-68)
Understands the advantages and disadvantages of various methods
for resolving disputes, such as litigation, arbitration, mediation,
and conciliation
BD(BE,24)
Knows different kinds
of crimes (e.g., arson, forgery, fraud,
embezzlement)
LEARNING STANDARDS: ELA #1,3,4 ARTS #1 HPE
& HE #3 CDOS #1,2,3AB LOTE #1,2 MST #2 SS #2,3 |
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Website Questions/Comments
Contact Virtual School Webmaster, Mike Majett
Email: mike.majett@Vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-1018 IP:129.59.139.23
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