LAW B599 IKLM — LLM EARLY BAR PREP
4 credits
Professor Melissa Shaw
Class Meets: MW 10:30 AM-12:20 PM, Room 116
F 10:30 AM-12:20 PM (4/18, 5/2), Room 116
E-mail: mshaw2@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-2468
Course Materials site: Themisbar.com
Course Description
Starting early on bar review programs is essential for success. While the Early Bar Prep class does not replace
the need to take a bar prep course, it will give early preparation to help LLM students learn key bar exam
strategy techniques. In this overview course, students are introduced to all three components of the Bar Exam –
the Essays, the Multistate Bar Examination (multiple choice), and the Performance Test. Specific techniques are
presented for maximizing performance on each phase of the exam.
Course Objectives
 Understand bar exam components (Essay, MBE and MPT) and the most successful study strategies for
the bar exam
 Learn heavily-tested topic areas within core bar exam subjects and effectively apply them on a bar exam
answer
 Successfully write a passing bar exam Essay and MPT answer.
 Improve MBE test taking scores
 Understand time management and success strategies in approaching study for bar exam
Required Texts and Reading Materials
Themis LLM Early Bar Prep online program created for the UW International LLM Students.
Class Attendance and Participation
Regular class attendance is essential since class time is a workshop. Attendance is required and students should
bring completed homework to class to discuss. If you miss more that 20% of class sessions, you will receive no
credit for the course.
Laptops and Cell Phones in Class
You may use laptop computers in class solely for class-related purposes, such as taking notes and accessing
course materials or materials prepared for class. Cell phones should be turned off or placed in silent mode.
Course Grading
Your grade in the course will be based on three evaluation components:
 50%: Completion of assigned Essay, MBE and MPT homework each week
 40% Essay/MBE/MPT exam at the end of each respective segment
 10%: Class Participation and required student meetings
 Students must attend 80% of classes
 No final exam
Disability-Related Needs
To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disability Resources for Students
(“DRS”), located at 448 Schmitz Hall ((206) 543-8924 (V); (206) 543-8917 (TTY)). If you have a letter from
DRS, please present it to me so we can discuss the accommodations you might need in this course.
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ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DURING THE QUARTER
*Times listed for completion of homework are ESTIMATES. It may take you more or less time to complete the
assignment.
**ALL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS CAN BE FOUND THROUGH THE THEMIS LLM EARLY BAR PREP
SITE. Registered students will receive an email with payment and site information.
ASSIGNMENTS
3/31: Class: Bar Exam Overview, Strategies and Mechanics of Studying
Homework (After 3/31 – Before 4/2)
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Listen to Con Law Chapters 1-8 (click on the lecture chapters online - 2-3 hrs) and fill in chapter handout (‘My
Chapter handouts’ to the right of the lecture screen)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (1 hr) (‘Assessments’ to the right of the lecture screen)
Work on Study Aid (use subject matter outlines’ to start - 2-3 hours) – bring to next class
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 1- Do 15 MBE questions (40 min)* – Answers reviewed in class
*(Students will need to do 17 -18 questions per half hour for the bar exam but you are given extra time for the first
few sets of each subject.)
4/2: Class: Constitutional Law I
Homework (After 4/2 – Before 4/7)
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Listen to Con Law Chapters 9-16 (2 ½ hrs) and fill in chapter handout
Take Assessment Test after each chapter (1 hr)
Work on Study Aid
Essay PQ’s – Read Con Law Practice Essay #2, issue spot, review answer (Optional – reviewed in class)
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 2 – Do 15 MBE questions (40 min)* – Answers reviewed in class
4/7: Class: Constitutional Law II
Homework (After 4/7 – Before 4/9)
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Work on study aid and memorize
Essay PQ’s – Write Con Law Practice Essay #4, issue spot and review answer (1hour)
Essay PQ’s – Write Con Law Practice Essay #5 - TURN IN and bring to class – Answer reviewed in class
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 3 – Do 15 MBE questions (30 min) – Answers reviewed in class
4/9: Class: Constitutional Law III
Homework (After 4/9 – Before 4/14)
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Work on study aid and memorize – TURN IN study aid online
Essay PQ’s – Write Con Law Practice Essay #7 (30 min), review, email answer to partner for graded peer review
(45 min)
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 4 – Do 15 MBE questions (30 min) – Answers reviewed in class
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4/14: Class: Constitutional Law IV – Con Law Essay Test today in class
Homework (After 4/14 – Before 4/16)
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Listen to Criminal Law Lecture I (Chapters 1-6) and fill in chapter handout (2 1/2 hrs)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (45 min)
Start Study Aid
Essay PQ’s - Read Criminal Law Essay #1, issue spot, review and bring to class (1 hour)
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 1 - Do 15 MBE questions (40 min) – Answers reviewed in class
4/16: Class: Criminal Law I
Homework (After 4/16 – Before 4/18)
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Listen to Criminal Law Lecture II (Chapters 7 – 9) and fill in chapter handout (1 hour)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (20 min)
Work on Study Aid
Essay PQ’s – Write Criminal Law Essay #2, issue spot and review (1 hour) TURN IN
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 2 - Do 15 MBE questions (40 min) – Answers reviewed in class
4/18: Class: Criminal Law II
Homework (After 4/18 – Before 4/21)
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Listen to Criminal Procedure Lecture (Chapters 1-5) and fill in chapter handout (2 hours 15 min)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (45 min)
Start Crim Pro Study Aid
Essay PQ’s - Read Crim Pro Essay #1, issue spot, review and bring to class (40 min)
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 1 (Criminal Procedure) - Do 15 MBE questions (30 min) – Answers
reviewed in class
4/21: Class: Criminal Procedure I
Homework (After 4/21– Before 4/23)
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Listen to Crim Pro Lecture II (Chapters 6-9) and fill in chapter handout (1 hour 20 min)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (30 min)
Work on Crim Pro Study Aid
Essay PQ’s – Write Crim Pro Essay #3, issue spot and review (1 hour) email answer to partner for graded peer
review (45 min)
Peer review and review answer
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 2 (Criminal Procedure) - Do 15 MBE questions (30 min) – Answers
reviewed in class
4/23: Class: Criminal Procedure II – Crim Law & Crim Pro Essay Test today in class
Homework (After 4/23– Before 4/28)
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Listen to Evidence Lecture I (Chapters 1-7) and fill in chapter handout (2 hours 20 min)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (1 hour)
Work on Evidence Study Aid
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 1 (Evidence) - Do 15 MBE questions (40 min) – Answers reviewed in
class
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4/28 Class: Evidence I
Homework (After 4/28– Before 4/30)
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Listen to Evidence Lecture II (Chapters 8-14) and fill in chapter handout (2 hours)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (45 min)
Work on Evidence Study Aid
Review Criminal Law & Procedure – TURN IN study aid
4/30 Class: Evidence II
Homework (After 4/30– Before 5/2)
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Listen to Evidence Lecture II (Chapters 14-16) and fill in chapter handout (1 hour)
Work on study aid and memorize
Essay PQ’s – Write Evidence Essay #3 and bring to class (1 hour) - - TURN IN and review answer
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 2 - Do 15 MBE questions (40 min) – Answers reviewed in class
5/2 Class: Evidence III
Homework (After 5/2– Before 5/5)
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Work on study aid and memorize (2 hours)
Essay PQ’s - Write Evidence Law Essay #5, review answer and bring to class (1 hour)
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 3 - Do 15 MBE questions (30 min) – Answers reviewed in class
5/5 Class: Evidence IV
Homework (After 5/5– Before 5/7)
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Review study aid and memorize, TURN IN
Essay PQ’s - Write Evidence Law Essay #7, review and bring to class (1 hour) - email to partner for graded
feedback (peer review)
Grade partners essay (30 min) and return by 7:00 on 5/6
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 4 - Do 15 MBE questions (30 min) – Answers reviewed in class
5/7 Class: Evidence V – Evidence Essay Test today in class
Homework (After 5/7– Before 5/12)
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Read MPT #1 and outline answer (90 minutes), bring to class
Listen to Torts Lecture (Chapters 5-8) and fill in chapter handout (2 hours)
Listen to Torts Lecture (Chapters 5-8) and fill in chapter handout (2 hours)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (30 min)
5/12 Class: MPT I
Homework (After 5/12– Before 5/14)
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Read MPT #2, outline – bring to class (2 hours)
Write MPT #3, review answer and bring to class (2 hours), TURN IN – Answer reviewed in class
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5/14 Class: MPT II
Homework (After 5/14– Before 5/19) - 7hourshomework
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Outline or Write MPT #4, review answer (90 min) and bring to class
Listen to Torts I – Chapters 9 – 12 and fill in chapter handout– (1 hour 20 min)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (30 min)
Work on Study Aid
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 1 - Do 15 MBE questions (40 min) – Answers reviewed in class
5/19 Class: Torts I
Homework (After 5/19– Before 5/21)
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Listen to Torts Chapters 1 - 4 and fill in chapter handout (1 hour)
Take Assessment Tests after each chapter (30 min)
Work on Study Aid
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 2 - Do 15 MBE questions (40 min) – Answers reviewed in class
Essay PQ’s - Write Torts Law Essay #2, review and bring to class – OPTIONAL
5/21 Class: Torts II
Homework
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Finish Torts Study Aid – TURN IN
Milestone Exams, MBE PQ’s Session 3 - Do 15 MBE questions (30 min) – Answers reviewed in class
Essay PQ’s - Write Torts Law Essay #4, review (40 min) – TURN IN, and review answer
Essay PQ’s - Write Torts Law Essay #5 – (40 min) - OPTIONAL
Listen to other Torts chapters – OPTIONAL
Course Evaluation – bring your laptop or mobile device to class.
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