Episode Twenty Seven: Legal Education and the Legal Profession between the Revolution and the Civil War

In this episode we will discuss legal education and the legal profession between the Revolution and the Civil War. In this period the profession matured and truly came into its own. It was a time of tremendous growth in the profession when lawyers exercised ever increasing influence over the political and economic life of the nation. During this time the principle method of educating lawyers was the the apprentice system or more commonly known as "reading the law". It was also a time when the first law schools were founded in the United States. Lastly we will discuss the law practice of Abraham Lincoln.