Washington & Lee is trying a new approach to law school.  In a project that began this fall, students are being trained in real-life or real-life like settings before they can earn their law degree.  As reported in the Washington Post, this is a major change from the traditional law school approach which deals mainly with theory and history.  In this setting students are introduced, in a very real way, to the life of a lawyer.  In addition to the changes in curriculum, students participate in internships in the area.  Reportedly, the method used to prepare law students was developed in 1870 at Harvard.  While some things are better left unchanged, others are long over due for some innovation.  W & L is providing that and more to the students who will progress through this program.  The training for real life is invaluable.  As with other professions, such as teaching, the internship is important.  That time of structured freedom allows each person to develop their craft under the supervision and tutelage of an experienced, knowledgeable peer.  I suspect that, if given the proper opportunity, the program at W & L will not only succeed but become a model for law schools everywhere.