The way that law is practiced is changing rapidly. Technological advances have undoubtedly changed how we practice law. From administrative procedures to ethical considerations to new and exciting doctrinal areas, understanding how technology impacts the practice of law is essential for any future-ready legal professional. The Certificate in Legal Analytics & Innovation, offered through the College of Law Legal Analytics & Innovation Initiative, gives students an edge in this exciting area.
Students have the opportunity to pursue the Certificate in Legal Analytics & Innovation in two exciting ways through either the Legal Analytics or Technology and Innovation paths. See the Certificate Requirements section below for more information.
HIGHLIGHTS
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dual-degree and LL.M. programs
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Benefits
- Preparation: The certificate prepares students to be future-ready lawyers. Through both paths, participants are exposed to cutting-edge areas of legal practice. These experiences will allow students to excel in a new legal environment where technological prowess is a necessity, not just a benefit.
- Practical Application – The certificate will allow students to learn about and solve real-world problems. Students in the Legal Analytics Path will develop data-driven solutions and insights into real legal issues. The Technology and Innovation Path allows students to engage with, use, and evaluate technology used in modern, tech-driven legal practices. Students in both tracks will experience opportunities and training sought after by law firms, nonprofits, and judges across the country.
- Flexibility – With two tracks and over 20 credits of electives, students can customize their certificate experience to fit their interests.
- Transferability– Earning the certificate does not mean you have to work strictly in legal technology or analytics. The skills you learn in either certificate path are widely applicable to almost every kind of legal practice.
Potential Careers
- Attorney
- Strategic legal insights attorney
- Data privacy and security attorney
- Legal analyst
- Legal process engineer
- Legal operations
- Client data analyst
Atlanta Advantage
Located in the heart of downtown with access to Atlanta’s vibrant, diverse and growing tech scene.
A FEW STEPS
- Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific, Southern Company and other corporate headquarters
- State Capitol
- Federal and state courts
- Other local, state and federal government agencies
A FEW MILES
- Major law firms
- Numerous Fortune 500 headquarters
- 17,000 tech companies
- $113.1 billion tech industry
- 1,250 multinational corporations
Certificate Requirements
Students must be in good academic standing, based on the successful completion of the first full year of law study (30 hours), to participate in the certificate program. Students must remain in good standing to continue program participation.
Introductory Course
Legal Analytics Path
Requirements
- LAW 7333 Introduction to Legal technology & Innovation (2 credits)
- LAW 7674 Legal Analytics I (3 credits)
- Legal Analytics Capstone Experience
- LAW 7676 Applied Legal Analytics Lab (3 credits), or
- Independent Study of a Legal Analytics topic under faculty supervision (2 credits)
- At least 16 credits in LAII designated courses (requirements + electives below)
- Writing Requirement (See heading below)
- Students must obtain the following badges, offered by GSU’s Library Research Data Services team. Learn more about the badges and trainings offered by RDS.
- Python Ready Badge
- Python & Machine Learning Ready! Badge
- Data Vis Ready Badge
- Tableau 1
- Tableau 2
Technology & Innovation Path
Requirements
- Law 7333 Introduction to Legal Technology & Innovation
- Law 7356 Legal Technology Competencies & Operations
- W requirement in LAII area course (see heading below)
- Law 7334 Legal Process Engineering / Independent Study
- Law 7334 can be used to satisfy either the writing or experiential credit requirement
- At least 16 credits in LAII classes (requirements + electives below)
Writing Requirement
- The independent study capstone experience may, with permission of the instructor, satisfy the writing requirement.
- Elective courses noted below as “(writing)” may also satisfy the requirement.
- With prior permission of an advisor, other courses may also satisfy the requirement such as seminars in other fields of study where there is a sufficient connection with legal analytics or technology.
Elective Courses
(T&I)– Technology and Innovation Requirement
Required courses in one path may satisfy electives for the other.
- LAW 7674: Legal Analytics I (A) (Offered in the Fall. Students with an interest in the legal analytics track should consider taking this course during the first semester of their 2L year.)
- LAW 7356: Legal Tech. Competency & Operations (T&I)
- LAW 7575E: Legal Analytics II/Applied Text Analytics for Law and Business (Pre-req Law 7674 Legal Analytics I)
- LAW 7065: Antitrust Law
- LAW 7135: Cybersecurity Law and Policy
- LAW 7139: e-Discovery
- LAW 7293: Linguistic Analysis of Legal Text
- Law 7334: Legal Process Engineering (T&I)
- LAW 7353: Information Privacy Law
- LAW 7354: Technology Law and Ethics (writing)
- LAW 7366: Legal Innovation
- LAW 7629: Blockchain, Smart Contracts & the Law (writing)
- Law 7358E: Expert Testimony Using Tech
- RCB MSDA courses (upon approval depending on background)
- MSA 8010– Data Programming for Analytics
- MSA 8040– Data Management for Analytics
- LAW 7413: National Security
- LAW 7xxx: Cybercrime
- LAW 7359: Advanced Privacy
- Law 7133 AI: Large Language Models & Legal Information Systems
- Law 7134: Computer Crimes and Digital Evidence
- Additional courses (upon approval)
We will work with students to treat additional seminars or upper-level classes as Certificate electives if there is significant overlap
Extracurricular Activity
- Students are encouraged to participate in legal analytics extracurricular activities such as:
- Workshops and boot camp training sessions hosted at the College of Law or Robinson College of Business,
- Participate in additional client-focused data projects (“sprints”),
- Work with affiliated faculty as a GRA,
- Pursue internship placements as they become available
Grades and Honors
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required across all courses taken in satisfaction of the certificate requirements, including the writing requirement.
- Honors will be awarded for achievement of a GPA of 3.6 or higher in all Legal Analytics & Innovation courses taken for the certificate.
Verification for Graduation
To graduate with a certificate, students must submit a verification for graduation for either the Analytics Path or the Technology and Innovation Path for review no later than the end of the add/drop period of a student’s last semester prior to graduation. The form must be signed by the student’s academic advisor.
For more information
Contact Patrick Parsons, [email protected], 404-413-9162
– Laura Steinbach (J.D. ’21)
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