John Dooley

Unique, demanding, but incredibly valuable. This course is a must-take for aspiring law students. Judge Sessions and Justice Dooley are big names in the Vermont legal system. This is basically just a crash course in trial law that culminates in your preparing and arguing of a moot case in the Vermont Supreme Courthouse before SCJs. That experience alone is unattainable anywhere but at Middlebury, not to mention the countless interviews and courthouse visits the judges were able to cram into this 4-week course. All this to say, it's a bag, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more demanding J-term class given the extensive readings, field trips, and the final case report. Yet, the information is invaluable for anyone interested in a career in law. Thus, my advice is clear: if you think you might want to go to law school, take this course. If not, you should not take this course.

Unique, demanding, but incredibly valuable. This course is a must-take for aspiring law students. Judge Sessions and Justice Dooley are big names in the Vermont legal system. This is basically just a crash course in trial law that culminates in your preparing and arguing of a moot case in the Vermont Supreme Courthouse before SCJs. T …Read more

If you're looking for an easy J-term class, this isn't it, but it was a great class. The final project is a brief and oral argument in front of Supreme Court Justices, which is hard, but very rewarding. There is a ton of reading to do (usually court decisions, so it's also pretty dense) and the expectation is you come to class able to fully discuss the material. All three instructors are fascinating, and I would recommend for anyone with an interest in law.

If you're looking for an easy J-term class, this isn't it, but it was a great class. The final project is a brief and oral argument in front of Supreme Court Justices, which is hard, but very rewarding. There is a ton of reading to do (usually court decisions, so it's also pretty dense) and the expectation is you come to class able t …Read more

The content within this class is the best of my time at Middlebury. The professors are top tier, knowledgeable, and passionate. The readings are lengthy but interesting. The final is the hardest part because it is arguing at the federal court for a mock trial. I had a lot of fun, got out of my comfort zone, and overall grew my love for the law.