Case Western Reserve University Becomes First Law School to Require Every 1L Student to Build a Legal Tech Solution

Case Western Reserve University School of Law has become the first in the nation to require all first-year (1L) students to design and build a legal technology solution. This initiative expands upon their existing requirement of AI education for all 1Ls, positioning AI literacy as a core professional competency. The program, developed in partnership with Wickard.ai, utilizes a “vibe coding” approach where students rapidly prototype AI-assisted tools to address real-world legal challenges.

Students participated in the CWRU School of Law-Wickard 1L Vibe Coding Competition, with Jamie Werner winning for a platform tracking court rules and judge information. Other projects included tools for timekeeping, citation checking, and jury selection. The program also featured insights from Judge Joshua Deahl, Senator Michelle Hinchey, and Evan Shenkman, discussing AI’s impact on the judiciary, legislation, and law firms.

This move reflects a broader trend in legal education towards integrating technological competence into the curriculum. Case Western’s model emphasizes not just understanding AI, but also its responsible and effective application, preparing students for the evolving legal landscape where AI is increasingly prevalent.

(Source：National Law Review)