Year 1: Introduction to American Law & Legal System (Freshman) 

Introduction to American Law & Legal System provides students with a general survey of the law including the U.S. Constitution, fundamental legal concepts and principles, government & public policy, and an introduction to various substantive areas of law.  To help guide and assist students in their first year, each student is mentored by a member of the senior class.

Year 2: Foundations of Legal Practice (Sophomore)

Second year students will engage in a more detailed examination of the law with specific attention paid to the foundations of legal practice & profession and related industries, the history & development of the Common Law, Criminal Law & Procedures, Torts, Public Policy, Civil Procedures and selected topics.  There will be a series of guest speakers and field trips commensurate with the subjects and topics covered. 

Year 3: Principles of Law (Junior)

Third year students will expand their studies to include Business & Corporate Law, Family Law & Domestic Relations, Wills & Estates, and Public Law & Policy.  Juniors participate in a mentoring program with attorneys from the greater Sacramento area to help them develop additional skills and gain further knowledge about legal practice and employment opportunities.  Students also participate in Mock Trial culminating in a competition with other area high school law programs. There will be a series of guest speakers and field trips commensurate with the subjects and topics covered. 

Year 4: American Law & Legal System 2 (Senior)

During the 4th and culminating year students will concentrate their studies on the historical development of American legal concepts & principles from 1787 through today.  The second semester focus is on Constitutional Law & public policy together with select topics in civil rights & liberties.  Guest speakers will again visit our class as warranted.  Field trips include Ca Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Alcatraz Prison.

Moot Court

All academy members are encouraged and invited to join the LPPA Moot Court Team.  Moot Court is an appellate-level (court of appeals or Supreme Court) oral advocacy, round-robin competition wherein students take on the role of appellate attorneys and compete against students from high schools throughout Northern California.  Moot practice begins in the fall semester and culminates in late January when teams compete in the Gordon D. Schaber Moot Court Competition in Sacramento.

Academy Cohorts

Academy students are housed in cohorts wherein for the first three years they take four classes together (Law, English, Social Studies, and Science).  The remainder of their schedule is self-selected.

Field Trips

Throughout the year and based in part on grade level, students will attend a series of field trips including but not limited to:

• Sacramento Superior Court
• 3rd District Court of Appeals, California Supreme Court
• McGeorge School of Law
• U.C. Davis School of Law
• Forensics lab
• State capital and legislative offices
• Alcatraz Prison
• Sacramento City Government
• Sacramento State Challenge Course,

Special Projects

Several of the classes have special projects they will complete.  Projects vary from year to year. 

Community Service

Academy students are required to complete 10 hours of community service each semester for years 1 – 3.  

Summer Internships

A limited number of summer internships may be available.  Students will be notified as internships become available.  Students are encouraged to seek or propose internships that are of particular interest to them.