After a national search, the UM School of Law has selected Rosario Lozada Schrier, associate professor of law,  to launch and direct the school’s new research and writing program, Legal Communication and Research Skills (L-Comm).

Schrier will work with a team of full-time legal communication faculty to provide students with critical research and communication skills necessary to excel in today’s competitive legal environment. The program will begin in the fall semester.

“L-Comm reflects Miami Law’s commitment to preparing students to become skilled and professional communicators,” Schrier says. “From their first day of classes, students will interact in the classroom as a community of professionals. In this collaborative setting, they will master the fundamentals of legal research and analysis and learn to communicate effectively with diverse audiences at various stages of legal practice.”

Faculty with varied practice backgrounds will engage students in a dynamic classroom environment that integrates technology as a learning resource. The program will develop research skills in the context of a client’s simulated problem, which will evolve through initial case assessments, consideration of potential alternatives to litigation, pretrial pleadings, and appeals. At each stage of the process, students will advocate on a client’s behalf using both written and oral skills, all with the goal of preparing students for the reality of legal practice. L-Comm will emphasize active student participation by featuring small classes and frequent interaction with faculty through small group and individual conferences.

Schrier earned her B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame Law School. She began her legal career as a federal judicial clerk to The Honorable Edward B. Davis in the Southern District of Florida. Following her clerkship, Schrier was awarded a two-year Skadden Fellowship from the Skadden Arps law firm to represent low-wage workers in South Florida. She subsequently served as Assistant General Counsel to the University of Miami before joining the Miami Law faculty in 2007.