Coding For Lawyers - Fall 2019

Introduction

This course is a hands-on introduction to coding starting with coding using Python and important coding tools such as Git, VsCode and the interactive terminal. Students will start by getting familiar with coding tools and the world of Python. In addition to using basic Python students will be able to leverage their basic coding skills to collaborate on a larger projects using Docassemble the popular legal application tool written in Python.

Should Lawyers Learn to Code

Course Text

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

Course Setup

For his course you will need to learn three basic tools:

1. Python

2. Terminal

3. Editor

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Python

Yes, Python was named after Monty Python, the British comedy team.

Download Python

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Terminal

MacOs Terminal

Windows Setup

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Github

Sign up for Github

Github Getting started

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VSCode

Download Visual Studio Code

VS Code Getting Started

VS Code Python Tutorial

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Other resources

Docassemble

Community Lawyer

nextJournal

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Syllabus

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August

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Aug 22 Intro Overview of Course

Get Acquainted

Intro to Python

Intro to Tools

Intro to Projects

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Aug 29 Intro to Docassemble

Special remote guest session with Quinten Steenhuis

Quinten is with the Greater Boston Legal Services and he will demonstate how they use Docassemble

Continue Lab Set up Python, VsCode, terminal, Git, Github

• Tools - The Terminal
• Tools - VsCode
• Tools - Git, Github

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September

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Sept 5 -- Continue Setup

Hello World with Python

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September 12

Reading: How I changed the law with a github pull request

Chapter 2 Boring Stuff - Python Basics

Coding Exercises: Sept 12 - Python Basics

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September 19

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Reading: Chapter 2 - Boring Stuff

Expunction Overview

2017 Expunction Guide

Coding Exercises Sept 19 - Flow Control

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September 26

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September 26 - Flow Control Cont'd. Intro to Docassemble

September 26 - Flow Control

Hello World - Docassemble

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October

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October 03 - Functions and Community Lawyer

Reading and Exercises

Chapter 3 - Boring Stuff

Oct 03 - Functions & Community Lawyer Prep

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Thomas Officer from Community Lawyer will be teaching remotely -- Please see the Repo for prep for his class

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Oct 10 - Python Data Structures, Lists

Reading:

Chapter 4 Boring Stuff - Functions continued and Lists

How to Build an Interactive Legal Application

Work on Expunction Project

Exercise Repo

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Oct 17 - Dictionaries, data structures

Special Guest: Kristofer Cook IT Projects Attorney NC Legal Aid

Chapter 5 Boring Stuff - Dictionaries and Data Structures

Exercise Repo

Work on Expunction Project

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October 24

Work on Project

Reading: Strings

Chapter 6 - Boring Stuff

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Oct 31 - Jerome Simeon - Accord Project

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November

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Nov 7 - Review Day

Work on Project

Python Review and Summary

Python Review

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Nov 14 Overview of computing, Web Development, Cloud Computing

"Climbing to the Cloud"

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Nov 21 -- No Class

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