"How to Read a Case" with UVA Law Professor Anne Coughlin

Professor Anne Coughlin explains how to read a case to first-year students during an event hosted by the Black Law Students Association. (Sept. 17, 2015, University of Virginia School of Law)

[@attorneysteve]

As a lawyer for almost 20 years, I have always learned to read a case backwards. Start with the conclusion and work your way up. Try it. Much easier.

[@kathyadair8552]

Thank you!

[@richardgabriel8783]

big fan of your work steve

[@Nepomniachtchi_Austin]

Depends on quite a bit, but you're quite right. Lol

[@Nepomniachtchi_Austin]

@WorldFlex What

[@inessastanisloff5363]

Will you advise the same approach for pro se litigant preparing case for the court?

[@DonYutuc]

Who's watching in 2024? A picture paints a thousand words but a video paints a million. I appreciate your lecture, Professor Anne Coughlin. This is awesome comfort learning for a 63-year-old. Everything else on KZbin is chewing gum for my brain. Res ipsa loquitur. The video speaks for itself.

[@naqvi34]

Here👋

[@emmysrandomcrafts]

I am

[@usukigyaru]

This is so fun. I can't wait for law school. If I have a teacher similar to Professor Coughlin, I will be in nerd heaven.

[@quickdrawz05]

I could literally just sit here and listen to this lady all day. The amount of curiosity in her own teaching and pure teaching skills have me watching an hour lecture in what feels like 20 mins.

[@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper]

Are you still listening

[@akhileshpaswan5491]

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[@akhileshpaswan5491]

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[@akhileshpaswan5491]

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[@J-O-S-H-M-O-S-H]

ya if we were out at sea this is the wrong law for people this is colour of law son

[@user-rx4jo4zb9w]

As a 30 years lawyers working in China, even there are different law styles between China and US, but the way of reading cases is same and equally useful.Thank you very much for sentting the HOW wonderful lectures openly ! every student of law school from anywhere will thank you!

[@Unknowledgeable1]

1:15 'close reading' and The doctrinal content of the case 1:58 'it'? 2:26 questions to ask when reading a case 2:47 'the doctrine that the case spells out' 3:03 the course curriculum 3:48 Cases teach a certain 'legal principle' or a certain 'doctrinal rule' 4:43 5:13 How does the law define the actus reus of attempt?

[@ZOOBZGOMEZ]

As a law student I basically do the following: - read the facts and determine what the issue is. - read the end of the judgement to see what the court holds. - then skim the judgement itself. By doing this I can understand the context of the case and the reasoning process for the final decision.

[@VanessaAttah]

She is brilliant and a joy to listen to! I love her pronunciation/enunciation.

[@rasiel4373]

William W. Campbell-Shepherd IX xavvvg

[@rasiel4373]

William W. Campbell-Shepherd IX ga

[@trangwuong7689]

Hey, y'all need to read the cases before class! She's too nice! When I see that a case was recently done, I'm like, "Aw, shit. No one's gonna know this yet". When it's a case from the turn of the 20th century, I'm saying, "Yeah, this has been solidified, not changed, fantastic precedent". I won a settlement, without a lawyer, citing a couple of way old cases. Fantastic lecture.

[@bubba3273]

I wish she was my professor. So much admiration and respect for you Prof. Coughlin. Thanks for posting this wonderful lecture and make it available.

[@ToABetterTomorrow]

I wish I came across this video during 1L! Better late than never I suppose...

[@cambro1329]

As a 15 year old kid who loves the study of law and have been into law this is by far the best teacher ive ever seen teach me how to read a case the way she teaches is just 100% on point

[@uniquemia2247]

I’m a 14 year old, & I absolutely LOVE LAW! My goal was always to become a law student. ❤️but If you go to law school I by far wish you the best!

[@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper]

You're a 16 year old kid

[@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper]

@@uniquemia2247 you're a 15 year old

[@elijah7572]

@@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper LMFAO

[@karencrilly1633]

Hi sweets learn our constitution forward & backwards then apply that to all ur cases an you'll NEVER lose . Ty great blessings to you

[@iyiolawilliams6330]

This lady is just so intelligent and eloquent.

[@lorie826]

As a law student in Germany, I fell in love with the way she speaks. Her teaching makes it easy to follow and understand! Her patience as well as her own passion about law is catching. Thank you SO much for providing us this fantastic lecture! Lots of love and respect to this brilliant professor!

[@ceofficial936]

same here but from Belgium :)

[@ziblot1235]

Why do German courts have three judges? Is that true in all Europaen courts?

[@anekmajak2601]

I am a student in South Sudan 🇸🇸. who's going to school of Law and she is just an amazing 👏 lecturer and her intelligence 😀 is giving me more power to love Law

[@teasp00ns]

Great speaker, she’s compelling and cut to the quick immediately. Strikes me as a person who has very little time in her day for bullshit, and I appreciate her passing on the savings

[@mariaa.5829]

Erroneous jury instructions

[@ElevateResumeDesign]

Super Brilliant she took it to the basics of why it’s important to read cases I want go to law school now

[@MM-br1hm]

How was it?

[@jamesticknor1134]

I'm attending law school this fall. This approach to how to read a case is wonderful. My understanding that one should read *actively* is my takeaway. I enjoyed her teaching, and I hope that my future professors are like this. Hopefully, Virginia accepts my application, and I can just go there!

[@lionkingfan]

Good luck.I heard law school is hard

[@askari4528]

Good luck!!

[@nj.7325]

Also try reading the conclusion first! you'll have a better idea of what to keep an eye out for and what questions to ask.

[@FrozenYoga69]

Well… how’s it been?

[@thekellehers8366]

This is unequivocally amazing and 1 of the best explanation of how to ferret out the details of a case. Back In! You give me hope!

[@kimberly-jg1ih]

Really enjoyed this lecture! Thank you for your insight. This helps me tremendously in my review of cases as a labor relations specialist

[@housekeeping3561]

Ok. I just this minute started this lecture with you and just so you know, you are a quite obviously a brilliant and compassionate woman. Can't wait.

[@johndanielgomez3628]

thanks youtube for suggesting this, i just really finished it OMG!! I enjoy her lecture so much! As an incoming college student I just really love how she doesn’t let the class feels like she is superior and she’s very open for questions, and she even looks like she spoon feed the things you should know or ask about. Also, the words she use I thought she will use a lot of legal jargon and high falutin words- but she explain things very precisely. I LOVE HER 👏🏻👏🏻 SHE’S AMAZING!!

[@LlamaIndustruies]

Thank you for last very enlightening lecture, professor.

[@ulamasirewa9614]

Thank you Uni of Virginia especially to Prof Anne...Well articulated presentation.

[@carlenehudson7484]

This professor is brilliant and a gifted educator; many thanks for this presentation.

[@vv5179]

Entering the house after normal business hours (especially with other persons that are not known to the homeowner) most certainly IS intent to me! GREAT Class! Loved it.

[@futurekillerful]

Great breakdown not in law school yet but these videos have helped me learn some things pre going there

[@amandanavajashilsenrath827]

Amazing class and amazing teacher 👏🏻👏🏻

[@kwaicorner]

this professor makes me want to do law schools she speaks so clearly and not to fast, and isn't boring

[@VictoriaVeech]

it is a great thing this class I learn so much more than I am at my university

[@juanguzmanhernandez7288]

Awesome material! Thank you, professor, looking forward to watching more of your teachings.

[@michaelangileo2760]

Excellent teacher! God bless you. Best wishes, MA

[@bradalanschwartz2050]

A GREAT LECTURE PROFESSOR COUGHLIN,I THANK YOU.

[@pjpj8222]

Professor Coughlin, would you mind to do or show (if you have done) a video lecture on statutory interpretation and construction, please? Thank you in advance!

[@airamasmr9974]

I am not a law student but yesterday I watched 'On The Basis of Sex' and I became intrigue about how to read a case. I love to get deeply immerse in this new way to think, read and see the world. So great and thankful to live in this era when if you're curious about something, you can just know a bit of this huge law's world in just a second!

[@TheJimmyg620]

Ms. Coughlin ..keeps it pretty simple and straight to the point .. which is very good .. for these students , beginning the study of law.

[@adokomitelizabeth]

thanks' for the law information about the law : of the cases.

[@josetavares9573]

What I love about Law Is solving it's resolution getting all the evidence and facts and putting it together on that particular case, that is important for the courtroom.

[@evabee9363]

Still in 6th grade, but I really love this lecture! (Yes, I watched the entire 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 6 seconds of it) It teaches the basics of examining criminal cases. Thanks!!

[@shermanpearson926]

What a little book worm 😂😂..so proud of you... don't know you but you are intelligent

[@elkyelkyelky]

So appreciated of sharing, so delightful to be in a law course.

[@zamamadondo3639]

I don’t even study law, but I still enjoy watching this video 😄

[@epistte]

I just found this series of lectures and I am learning a lot. I am not a law student s but sometimes I have wondered if I should go back to school. I have a minor in political philosophy and I have always love constitutional law.

[@davidkflick]

Same! It's really cool to see someone else in the same boat I'm in. Good luck in your studies!

[@jjdoe1900]

be a good writer first

[@csp.9203]

@@jjdoe1900 And maybe have a trust fund.

[@pesa9232]

As a law student this is great help to me

[@kathyadair8552]

Good luck and best wishes. Kelle'N 💪🍀🇺🇸

[@Kiyonce.Kartier]

Amazing lecture!

[@m.akmalwasim6047]

Pleasure listening to this lecture. Wonderful

[@johnbosco8209]

I like your ideas to read a case thank you Anne

[@kevinebenezer5563]

This remember me of one country vs Europe law. I ready many Case code of law. It’s always seems complicated in some situations.

[@jameelyusuf06yusuf27]

Amazing lecture

[@lyndseywagner4443]

I found this so interesting!

[@hrithikanand9205]

Wish I had a professor like her in my classes 🥺

[@aaronerskine3401]

such a positive teacher. i'm not cut out for law school, but if I had her as a professor, I would work tirelessly to make it through school from her belief in me and inspiration. the skills she covered today I can apply in everything I read.

[@pearly5628]

thank you !!! a really helpful video.

[@thesethingsss]

watched in 2024, enjoyed her style of teaching and all the passion that is flowing through the words she’s communicating

[@shookon3448]

the question of degree of proximity may vary with the circumstances, and there he uses the word proximity, and youll realize that res ispa tests are differenet.

[@TheJimmyg620]

Excellent.. about the silent movie ...example

[@nasrinnishat4033]

Thank you so much for talk to me why we read this case

[@elatsh3972]

Thank you very much for this wonderful lecture

[@kissyou427]

Very clear lecture!!!

[@vicheakeng6894]

How to interpret between "Business Law" and "The Law of Business " were written and issued textbooks?

[@rizvi_proud481]

Love the way she explains :👏

[@hollycronin7836]

This helped me start up the process of thinking that I will require for my 1st year in law school. Thank you for making this available (and shame on those just focusing upon this cool woman's clothing, etc. ... you guys will never pass the Bar!)

[@adanprado2822]

Hello have you become a lawyer?

[@nsungemakonda]

How far are you in law school now?😌

[@cclumist]

I like this professor's teaching style.

[@melissathegreat848]

Ann Coughlin has the intelligence of a US Supreme Court Justice.

[@jjdoe1900]

please don't insult the professor lol

[@nateo200]

Eh Ill put her at a the level of a good circuit Judge on the Court of Appeals. They tend to be scholars and more interesting anyways.

[@tomcarr5919]

Great presentation Anne.Please give my personal regards to each of your co-authors .

[@Angelinahoodie]

She's witty 😂 love it and these students, jeez, it goes right over their heads 🤣

[@skillmanlaw2]

YES, THE INSTRUCTIONS GUIDED GIVING A DELIVERY OF SERVICE FOR LAW.

[@skyh6315]

so excited for classes!

[@claudiamanta1943]

This was FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing. Can I read the judgement somewhere? Thanks.

[@Vjl5280]

She definitely conquered that stutter. Empowering

[@tentanghukumkita6381]

How to Read a Case with UVA Law Professor Anne Coughlin Interesting and inspiring explanations for the legal world.

[@fabianlawstudies9497]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chandlersampson]

Every professor showcased here is both articulate and engaging. That's tough to come by. I could only dream of being accepted into a program like this!

[@onesmoothstone5680]

thank you!

[@shookon3448]

She spoke with a shade of condescension as eddies of smoke oppressed the atmosphere of my computer room.

[@mariguana7918]

I like how she calls them ingredients.

[@ibrahimkhalil7443]

very nice lecture Really Excellent.

[@MM-br1hm]

What's the effect on a judge who's ruling got invalidated by the higher court?

[@claudiamanta1943]

37:02 Indeed. Especially if my scenario is accurate. Don’t you have to demonstrate a causal link between a specific intention and a specific act beyond reasonable doubt? Or would balance of probabilities be sufficient?

[@markcastro8920]

Thanks, this is great.

[@maxgiantbanana7344]

A great law teacher

[@davidkflick]

Prof. Coughlin - I want to engage more in this lecture but I'm having difficulty finding a reference to the case in question. Do you or anyone on this comment forum have access to that so I can read more on the facts of the case?

[@ivansalas2304]

Thanks a lot!

[@chaidle]

hey, is there any idea for foreigners like Korean to take knowledges on anglosaxon law system? Korean constitution is from japan from Germanany. Even I am a outsider of lawschool. I think I need some fine lecturers or texts...

[@yangzongnaomi7669]

appreciate for your sharing

[@davidkflick]

@A. P. Heffel can’t believe I wrote this 4 years ago and here you are 1 month ago! I needed to revisit the lecture here and so glad I found your comment! Thank you!

[@inessastanisloff5363]

@A. P. Heffel Very grateful for your comment with the case number Just found this video by chance Best wishes

[@ougmass]

One of the essential elements of the rule of Ipsa Loquiture, is that if an event or act or omission happened, while actually it was not supposed or expected to happen in the specific circumstances of the case, then there is a presumption or inference that the author of that act is deemed to be responsible for it, that is the meaning of the fact speaks for itself. However, the defendant can reverse such presumption, or such inference, by inducing sufficient evidence to convince the court to put aside such presumption which was based on Ipsa Loquiture rule. This rule was considered by the Supreme Court of Canada, just as another rule of evidence that needs to be subject to the rules of relevancy, materiality, admissibility in court and credibility. As to the fact corroborating intent, the right word is that the mens rea could be inferred from conduct, if the evidence of such conduct leaves no doubt that it is intended to commit the crime. The corroboration means the testemony that strengthen the probative value of another evidence. The evidence of mens rea is separate from the evidence of actus reus.

[@zendaguyhalim6336]

Think you very much 😊😊😊

[@lovefool1616]

Thank you.

[@carlaraimer718]

🌈🙏💜thank you for this!

[@mandewilson3200]

Worthy listening

[@kassidycastellanos5219]

I have no desire to go to law school, I just like hearing her talk :)

[@irwindcruz9203]

Can somebody enlighten me with the case..where can I find it atleast

[@wassuhmufusaLOL]

ilove this video

[@ramprincipato]

someone would be really cool if they added the transcript.

[@Blacktulip05]

great class

[@user-co9rz3yp8n]

Thank you for this lesson

[@yoshungoddess]

She makes me want to go to this school

[@howardgofstein9694]

I think we should discuss Flintstone v. Slate Gravel Company. A rock fell on petitioner Fred Flintstone’s foot due to negligence.

[@battlegroundmaster1875]

What is the name of the book?

[@aleixperearosell9072]

I have to say I find this deeply interesting, yet strange, as I am a law student in a Civil Law system.

[@cardmastercraig3224]

I'm working my shift 9 hours in ans youtube lead me here. I do warehouse stuff and damn im engaged in this. Nice work

[@pocu321]

I'm not a law student so I have no idea about these things but I find them interesting enough to listen to the classes. She mentioned the judge never gave general instructions on the overt act to the jury at all. Why would this be? A judge has decades of experience. Why would a judge with ample experience do something so drastic as to not provide the instructions on the overt act element to the jury?

[@pedrocastillo2674]

Whats the name of the book

[@ray-hj1do]

thank you lessons

[@mariguana7918]

She’s very eloquent

[@kevinwalkingPH]

I like listening to her