This hands-on workshop will explore the methods, tools, and skills used to conduct legislative advocacy. Many law students are interested in using their legal education as a pathway to engage in policymaking. This course will provide students with a range of active opportunities to learn about, discuss, and practice written and oral policy advocacy via simulations and assignments. Each day students will learn through oral and written advocacy projects how to advance or prevent policy change through:

• Issue spotting and policy development

• Agency advocacy and commenting on agency regulations

• Legislative research and drafting

• Writing policy briefs

• Communications and media strategy

• Grassroots advocacy

• Lobbying

• Testifying for policymakers

There will be short written assignments and preparation for in-class simulations as well as a strategy memo assignment due at the end of the course. Students will at times work in groups. Classroom sessions may include discussions of assigned readings and simulated activities. Rather than a final examination, grades will be determined on the basis of written submissions, assignments, class participation, and the final policy advocacy strategy project.

Students will choose a public policy issue and prepare the following documents throughout the course: position paper (for or against); oral testimony; possible amendment to legislation; an “elevator pitch” regarding the legislation; a report and strategy memo to employer (non-profit, company or association) in favor or opposed to the policy; a statistical or empirical analysis of the impact of the purported change in policy; a debriefing memo.

During this intensive workshop, students will learn about the art of persuasion and practicing written and oral communication skills in a particular policy area of interest to the student. They will also be expected to attempt to persuade fellow students to come to similar conclusions through various mechanisms including those from the list above (written statements, oral testimony, informal conversations, a debate and/or a hearing). In addition to written and oral policy advocacy skills, students will learn about negotiation and consensus-building in the context of policy advocacy.