Courses and Law School Groups on Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Courses on TJ

A recent trend is the introduction of therapeutic jurisprudence in clinical legal education and legal skills training. For a symposium issue devoted to precisely that topic, see the St. Thomas Law Review (Miami, Florida), Vol. 17, Num. 3, 2005, a journal in the Lexis and Westlaw databases. For an essay on teaching Therapeutic Jurisprudence, see David B. Wexler, "Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Legal Education: Where Do We Go From Here?," 71 Revista Juridica Universidad de Puerto Rico 177(2002). The Revista is the law review of the University of Puerto Rico, and it is in the database of both Lexis and Westlaw. The following is a listing of the courses taught about therapeutic jurisprudence that we know of. If you know of a course that has not been included in this list please email us and let us know. Thank you.

  1. Arizona State University
    Comprehensive Law Practice
    Instructor, Prof. Evelyn Cruz
    Course Syllabus

  2. Bar-Ilan University
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence Seminar
    Instructor, Dr. Michal Alberstein
    Course Requirements & Outline

  3. Ben Gurion University of the Negev
    The Healing Power of Law: On Dialogue Between Cultures and Communities, Non-violent Struggle and the Idea of Mediation
    Instructor, Ya'ir Ronen
    The course explores the healing power of the law utilizing TJ concepts and literature. We shall develop together the theme of law's healing power in three different contexts:
    1. Dialogue between cultures and communities committed to multiculturalism
    2. Non violent struggle as a mode of struggle that is potentially committed to the other's well being and healing
    3. The idea of mediation as a conceptual alternative to adversary proceedings and an adversary frame of mind.
    The discussion will be couched in interdisciplinary literature and supplemented by films and guest speakers that will illustrate some implementations of law.s healing power such as the family group conference (as a means to handle problems of child protection and juvenile justice) and interfaith dialogue groups (as a means to solve conflicts between ethnic and religious communities).

  4. The College of Management Law School
    ADR & TJ Seminar "Current Issues in Conflict Resolution and the Judiciary"
    Instructor: Karni Perlman

  5. Florida Coastal School of Law
    Comprehensive Law Practice
    Instructor, Susan Diacoff
    Syllabus

  6. Fordham University, School of Law
    Problem Solving Justice: Courts As Agents Of Change
    Instructors: Hon. Patricia Henry, Hon. Susan Snipps, & Valarie Raine, esq.
    Course Outline
    Course Requirements

  7. Hamline University School of Law

  8. Loyola Law School
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence
    Instructor: Micki Moran
    Syllabus

  9. Mercer University Law School
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence (3 hours)
    Instructor, Bonnie Cole
    The course covers the psychology of law and includes readings and discussions of the law as an open system affecting the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of all who practice law, all who serve as judges, and all who have contact with the legal system, whether as a client, party, or witness. The course includes the areas of collaborative, preventive, and holistic law. It also incorporates therapeutic and psychological tenets and concepts as they apply to all aspects of the practice of law.

  10. Monash University College of Law
    Non-Adversarial Justice
    Instructor, Professor Arie Freiberg
    Course Description

  11. New York Law School

  12. New York University Ehrenkranz Graduate School of Social Work
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence
    Instructor, Hon. Alex M. Calabrese
    Syllabus

  13. Seattle University Law School
    Transforming Law: Emerging Trends in the Practice of Law
    Instructor, Stella Rabaut
    Text: Practicing Therapeutic Jurisprudence: Law as a Helping Profession (Stolle, et al eds. 2000). Description: More humane ways of practicing law are evolving in response to both encouragement from the general public, along with desire from the practitioners within the profession. There is a movement taking root, along side the strictly adversarial model. A systemic, "user friendly" and psychologically optimal way of handling legal matters is being conceptualized, written about and practiced by lawyers and judges. Over the course of eight weeks, we will explore these national movements, the theories behind them and engage in interactive exercises that are useful in these complementary legal practices.

  14. State University at New York at Buffalo, School of Law
    A Critical Look at Therapeutic Courts: Drug Treatment, Domestic Violence, Mental Health and Gambling Courts
    Instructors, Judge Mark Violante & Judge Mark Farrell
    Course Description: This course will explore, in depth, a radical change in the criminal justice system with a practical analysis of drug treatment, domestic violence, mental health and gambling courts situated in Western New York. It will involve a critical review of the existing courts in the Town of Amherst and the City of Niagara Falls.
    Mixing an urban and suburban setting, the syllabus will include a conceptual analysis of the rehabilitative and educational tools of the drug treatment, domestic violence, mental health and gambling courts within the criminal justice system. Dialogue with the presiding judges from both courts and courtroom clinical experience where students will analyze three (3) sessions of the Amherst Drug Treatment Court at the ceremonial courtroom on the University of Buffalo campus and at the Amherst Town Court.

  15. South Texas College of Law
    New Trends in 21st Century Lawyering
    Instructor, Hon. Leta Parks
    Course Description
    Syllabus

  16. Thomas Jefferson School of Law
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence
    Instructor, Ellen Waldman (with the participation of David B. Wexler)
    Law school traditionally presents legal theory as an inquiry into individual and collective rights and obligations. Legal practice becomes the methods and means by which attorneys zealously advance their clients' rights and entitlements. Though comfortable and familiar, this well-worn conceptualization of the lawyer's role doesn't always generate good outcomes. Therapeutic jurisprudence suggests we view the law and legal practice through an alternate lens. Therapeutic jurisprudence focuses attention on the consequences of law for the psychological functioning and emotional well-being of clients and other persons affected by the legal system. Acknowledging the law as a force that can have both therapeutic and anti-therapeutic consequences, this interdisciplinary perspective urges the legal community to attend to the mental health effects of what we do. Geared to clinical education students currently enrolled in criminal or civil externships, this course will urge students to examine their clinical experiences with therapeutic jurisprudence principles in mind. Course topics will include: Identifying Professional Values; Alternative Visions of the Lawyer's Role; Criminal Practice in a Therapeutic Key; Attorney-Client Communications; The Psycholegal Softspot in Negotiation. The class will be highly participatory and students will be asked to engage in a variety of in-class exercises. Additionally, students will be asked to research and write a 15 page paper discussing an aspect of their externship and analyzing it according to therapeutic jurisprudence precepts. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Clinical Education.

  17. Touro Law Center
    Lawyering As A Happy, Healthy, Healing and Ethical Profession
    Instructor, Marjorie Silver
    Course Description
    Syllabus

  18. University of Arizona
    Practicing Therapeutic Jurisprudence
    Instructor, David B. Wexler
    Course Description

  19. University of Baltimore School of Law
    Center For Families, Children, And The Courts Student Fellows Program
    Instructor, Barbara A. Babb
    Course Description
    Syllabus

  20. University of Connecticut Law School
    Seminar: Therapeutic Jurisprudence 692
    Instructor, Robert G. Madden, LCSW, JD
    Syllabus

  21. University of Miami School of Law

  22. University of Notre Dame
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence
    Instructor, Carrie S. Erlin
    Syllabus

  23. University of Puerto Rico
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence
    Instructor, David Wexler
    Description

  24. University of Tennessee College of Law
    Problem-Solving Courts Issues In The Law/Advocacy Seminar
    Instructor, Prof. Mae C. Quinn
    Syllabus

  25. Western Michigan University
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence
    Instructor, Hon. William G. Schma
    Schedule
    Syllabus

  26. William & Mary Law School

Law School Groups on TJ

  1. School of Law at Indiana University-Indianapolis has a Therapeutic Jurisprudence Society.
    Therapeutic Jurisprudence Society Constitution
  2. William & Mary School of Law Therapeutic Jurisprudence Society
    TJ Society Homepage

Welcome | TJ: An Overview | Announcements | Upcoming Events | Courses in Therapeutic Jurisprudence | Selected Recent Publications | Cumulative Bibliography | Cases, Briefs, Statutes, & Other Documents of Interest | Therapeutic Jurisprudence Forum of the Revista Juridica UPR | TJ Listserv | TJ 2001 Conference | Links & Listserves