07.09.2007

JoAnne Roake and Charles Doskow present a certificate to a law school student upon completion of the first two week training course on practical legal skills.

On Thursday June 14th, 2007 His Excellency the Minister of Justice Sharif Al Zu’bi distributed certificates to 32 students from Jordan University and Yarmouk University to mark the completion of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's two week intensive training course on practical legal skills. The intensive summer course included skills-building exercises, learning opportunities for substantive areas of the law, field trips and seminars from local attorneys and judges. International experts focused on helping develop students practical legal skills, in writing, research, drafting, negotiation and ethics. The students then began a two week externship opportunity at NGOs, private law firms and the courts allowing them to observe and participate in the practice of law while building practical skills. The externships also helped promote awareness of Jordan’s legal system and cultivate an interest in particular areas of law.

This year, student interest was so great that the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's Jordan office held a second session beginning on June 17th for students from Philadelphia University.

The Rule of Law Initiative first launched the Jordan summer practicum program in 2006, and it has generated much interest among stakeholders. Last year’s practicum and the two held this June were organized and conducted by Rule of Law Initiative staff and visiting experts, including JoAnne Roake, Professor Marcia Levy and Dean Charles Doskow. The Rule of Law Initiative is encouraging universities to institutionalize the practicum and other modern learning opportunities for law students such as moot court and public legal education.