academic resources: Academic Development Program
Golden Gate University School of Law strives to ensure the success of each student. The Academic Development Program (ADP) provides supplemental services directly to GGU students at any stage and level to improve their skills and academic performance. ADP provides advising, skills training, workshops, and support for first, second and third year law students regardless of their academic ranking.
Resources for First Year Students
ADP is available to ease your transition into law school, and is committed to helping you succeed. We encourage you to make an appointment with any of the ADP team members.
Small Discussion Groups
Second and third year students lead mandatory small discussion groups for all first-year students in their first semester. TAs help first-year students in weekly meetings that include substantive review, legal analysis, and exam taking strategies. Though weekly discussions are tied to specific courses, all help to develop study and analytical skills relevant to all coursework.
Workshops
Fall Workshops
Three hour-long mandatory workshops are held throughout the first semester and address important strategies for first-year students to succeed. They include:
- Fundamentals for the Study of Law
- Preparing for Midterms
- Preparing for Finals and Exam Taking Strategies
Also helpful: Essay Answer Comparison Chart
Spring Workshops
Hour-long optional workshops are held throughout the second semester and address important strategies for first-year students to succeed. They include:
One-on-One Advising
First-year students may make appointments with any of the ADP team members to go over study skills, outlines and learning tools, analytical skills, substantive material, exam strategies, and practice exams.
Legal Analysis
First-year students who need additional assistance may take a Legal Analysis class. This class is designed to teach the specific and unique skills necessary for students to perform at a high level in law school. Students in this class will develop efficient and effective study strategies for case reading, briefing, and managing large volumes of course material; develop their ability to analyze fact patterns and apply the applicable law; and develop effective and efficient test-taking strategies.
Resources for Second & Third Year Students
One-on-One Advising
Second and third year students may make appointments with any of the ADP team members to go over study skills, outlines and learning tools, analytical skills, substantive material, exam strategies, and practice exams.
Legal Methods
Second and third year students who need additional assistance may take a Legal Methods class. Legal Methods is a skills class designed specifically for upper division students.
Additional Academic Resources
Law Library – Past Exams
The Law Library posts prior exams and best answers for five years for current professors, and for professors who have taught at the School of Law within the past three years. Older exams are available in bound volumes in the Law Library.
The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)
CALI offers a variety of course lessons and exercises.
Additional Support Resources
Golden Gate University School of Law has a comprehensive network of resources to address students’ needs.
Disability Services
If students think their academic struggles are due to a disability, they may see disability services for additional resources that may be available.
Wellness Resources
Wellness Resources assist students in effectively managing stress, performance and test anxiety, as well as personal and health issues.
ADP TEAM
Director of Academic Development
Professor Mark Yates
Phone: 415-442-6626
E-mail: myates@ggu.edu
Office: Faculty Center, Room 2340
Visiting Instructor and Assistant Director of Academic Development
Professor Gail Quan
Phone: 415-442-6644
E-mail: gquan@ggu.edu
Office: Faculty Center, Room 2348
Assistant Director of Academic Development
Professor Reichi Lee
Phone: 415-442-6664
E-mail: relee@ggu.edu
Office: Faculty Center, Room 2344
Graduate Teaching Fellow
Catrina M. Reyes, Esq.
Phone: 415-369-5384
E-mail: creyes@ggu.edu
Office: Faculty Center, Room 2343