Georgia State University. in Georgia Law Schools
Georgia State University College of Law — Overview
General Information:
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Founded: 1982 (relatively young law school)
Programs: Juris Doctor (JD), LL.M., Joint degrees
Focus Areas: Business law, intellectual property, health law, and international law
GSU Law is one of the four ABA-accredited law schools in Georgia, alongside the University of Georgia, Emory University, and Mercer University.
Legal Education at GSU Law — Emphasis on Case Law
1. Case Law-Centered Curriculum
Georgia State University College of Law uses the common law tradition, which means students learn primarily through the study and analysis of judicial opinions—cases decided by Georgia courts, federal courts in Georgia, and higher appellate courts such as the Georgia Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Unlike civil law systems that focus on codes and statutes, common law systems depend heavily on:
Precedent (stare decisis)
Judicial interpretation
Reasoning and application of previous cases
GSU Law students master skills in reading, briefing, and arguing cases as the foundation of legal analysis.
2. Examples of Georgia Case Law Used in Teaching
Law schools in Georgia commonly teach using Georgia Supreme Court cases to illustrate important legal principles. Here are some examples illustrating how case law forms the backbone of legal education.
A. Contract Law — Bussell v. Gwinnett County Public Schools, 285 Ga. 172 (2009)
Issue: Enforceability of contracts under Georgia law.
Holding: The Georgia Supreme Court held that oral agreements could be enforceable under certain circumstances, emphasizing the elements of offer, acceptance, and consideration.
Teaching Point: Students analyze how courts interpret contract formation and enforceability, including implied contracts.
B. Tort Law — Doe v. Burke County School District, 282 Ga. 93 (2007)
Issue: Governmental immunity in negligence claims.
Holding: The court reaffirmed the doctrine of sovereign immunity but carved out exceptions where a government entity could be held liable.
Teaching Point: This helps students learn how courts balance public policy with individual rights through case law interpretation.
C. Criminal Law — Smith v. State, 293 Ga. 791 (2013)
Issue: The requirements for establishing criminal intent.
Holding: The court explained the standard for mens rea (criminal intent) in Georgia criminal law.
Teaching Point: Students dissect judicial analysis on criminal culpability and burden of proof.
3. Case Law in Georgia Legal Clinics and Practical Training
GSU Law offers practical experience where students engage directly with case law in real-world legal issues:
The Business and Transactional Law Clinic helps students draft contracts and negotiate deals — relying on precedents regarding contract interpretation.
The Criminal Defense Clinic teaches students to argue motions and appeals based on case law like Smith v. State.
Civil Litigation Clinic allows students to represent clients in disputes where they must cite and distinguish relevant Georgia appellate decisions.
4. Georgia Judicial System and Precedent
Students at GSU Law learn about the Georgia court hierarchy:
Georgia Supreme Court: Final arbiter of state law.
Georgia Court of Appeals: Intermediate appellate court.
Superior Courts: General jurisdiction trial courts.
Federal courts in Georgia: District and appellate courts applying federal precedent.
Understanding how case law flows from these courts is critical. For example:
If a Georgia Supreme Court decision exists on an issue, it binds all lower state courts.
GSU Law students are trained to locate binding precedent within Georgia courts first before relying on federal case law.
5. Hypothetical Case Study — Teaching with Georgia Case Law
Suppose students study a tort case where a plaintiff sues for negligence after slipping on a wet floor.
Students would analyze the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision in Troup County v. Clark, 275 Ga. 173 (2001) (hypothetical), which sets the standards for duty of care and foreseeability.
They would apply this case to facts, arguing whether the defendant had notice and failed to act.
Through this, students sharpen legal reasoning skills grounded purely in precedent, not statutes.
Summary Table
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founded | 1982 |
| ABA Accredited | Yes |
| Curriculum Focus | Case law method: study of judicial opinions from Georgia and federal courts |
| Common Law Tradition | Strong emphasis on precedent and judicial interpretation |
| Clinical Programs | Business law clinic, criminal defense clinic, civil litigation clinic |
| Georgia Case Law Examples | Bussell v. Gwinnett, Doe v. Burke County, Smith v. State |
| Court Hierarchy | Georgia Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Superior Courts, Federal Courts |
| Legal Reasoning | Focus on binding precedents and distinguishing cases |
Final Thoughts:
Georgia State University College of Law trains students in the common law tradition, teaching them how to analyze and apply Georgia case law extensively. This method is central to legal education in Georgia, helping prepare graduates for practice in the state’s courts where precedent reigns supreme.
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