The Call to Law School

“I’d wanted to be a lawyer since I was in 4th grade. The type of lawyer I wanted to be changed through the years, from criminal to corporate to constitutional – and now I’ve worked for a nonprofit as a lawyer for 20+ years, doing criminal and corporate and education and administrative and constitutional and family – it’s been a blast!” – Darren

“As a CPA, I wanted to be able to take my clients all the way through the tax controversy process to US Tax Court when necessary and help those who find themselves in a difficult situation.” – James

Orientation Conference & First Year

The Orientation Conference All incoming students are required to attend the one-week Introduction to Law conference. The conference is held on the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe.  While at the conference, you will receive foundational lectures in contracts, torts, criminal law, and legal research are presented, as well as lectures on the Biblical and historical foundations of the common law courses. An examination on all material presented during the conference is given at the end of the week for your Intro to Law course grade.

The first-year courses of Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, and Legal Writing are studied concurrently for the duration of the year. The first year schedule is structured as follows:

• • Lessons 1-11 lessons (2 weeks each)
  • 1 week review
  • 1 week mid-term exams (end of January)
  • 1 week break
  • Lessons 12-22 (2 weeks each)
  • 1 week review
  • 1 week final exams (early August)

Each Lesson for each course consists of reading, audio lectures, case briefing, and a multiple choice quiz. The courses are set up to be structured, but flexible. You will need to devote 18-20 per week to your studies. The time of day you chose to study will be based on your personal schedule (flexible), but you are required to complete the assignments by the end of each lesson (structured).

There is also a weekly Zoom call with the Teaching Assistants on a rotating schedule (contracts 1st week, torts 2nd week, criminal law 3rd week). The scheduling of the call is decided at the Orientation Conference (“herein after the August Conference”) when students can discus what evening works best for the class.

The First Year Law Student’s Exam

Upon successful completion of the first year in July, you will rejoin your classmates for a week of review sessions during the August Conference to prepare for the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSE – an exam required by the CA Bar for registered law schools). This review week includes substantive lectures and mock exams to improve test-taking skills.

You then have approximately 8 weeks to prepare for the FYLSE Exam. There are several resources available to you as you prepare. Additionally, many students connect with alumni for coaching/accountability leading up to the exam.

The Second Year of Law School

Second Year classes begin in January and are divided into two semesters (11 lessons, 1 week review, 1 week finals). First semester runs from January – mid-June and second semester is mid-June – mid-December. Course grades are based on written assignments, quizzes, and final exams administered at the end of each semester.

Similar to 1st year, students can set up group calls with their professors to discuss the lesson content or email the professor individually to set up a one-on-one call.

Like with first year, you will need to track and report your study time. Additional information will be given you from the OBCL staff regarding this requirement.

The Third Year of Law School

Third year is structured like the second year. However, in third year you are able to begin taking electives and/or acquire credit for law internships.

You also participate in Appellate Advocacy. This course is in the second semester and is required after completion of Legal Research and Writing III (first semester). You will receive instruction in techniques of oral advocacy before an appellate court. You are required to participate in the appellate moot courts in-person classes held during the August Conference at Lake Tahoe.

The Fourth Year of Law School

Once again, the fourth year academic calendar is structured like the second and third years.

To meet the graduation requirements, you are required to participate in one of two practical skills courses: Trial Advocacy or Dispute Resolution.

Trial Advocacy develops students’ courtroom skills through simulated civil and criminal cases. Specific areas studied and practiced include pretrial preparation, jury selection, opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examination, exhibits, and objections.  The culmination is a required final mock trial before a jury of their peers held during the August Conference.

Dispute Resolution takes place during the second semester and allows students to develop negotiation, arbitration, and mediation skills through simulated exercises. Strategies and methods are examined and practiced via Zoom classes.

The California Bar Exam

“As Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

With the conclusion of law school in December, most graduates opt to take the California Bar Exam in February. This provides 2 months to devote to preparing for the exam.

There are many bars prep materials available. You also have access to the OBCL alumni network to ask questions on solie Once again, the fourth year academic calendar is structured like the second and third years.

To meet the graduation requirements, you are required to participate in one of two practical skills courses: Trial Advocacy or Dispute Resolution.

Trial Advocacy develops students’ courtroom skills through simulated civil and criminal cases. Specific areas studied and practiced include pretrial preparation, jury selection, opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examination, exhibits, and objections.  The culmination is a required final mock trial before a jury of their peers held during the August Conference.

Dispute Resolution takes place during the second semester and allows students to develop negotiation, arbitration, and mediation skills through simulated exercises. Strategies and methods are examined and practiced via Zoom classes.

Graduation

Graduation is hosted at the end of the August Conference during the Alumni Reunion.  It is a wonderful time to celebrate your completion of law school (and passing the bar!) with family and friends. 

“Graduation from OBCL was one of the most beautiful and challenging experiences I’ve had. The commissioning ceremony and time of prayer was a very poignant and convicting reminder not just of what I have been called to do, but of everyone who had invested in my life and education to equip me in that calling. It remains a source of great encouragement and exhortation to me to this day.”– Rachael