Advancing legal writing across borders: ASU Law hosts Masaryk University vice dean

ASU Law recently welcomed David Sehnalek, vice dean of the faculty of law at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, for a two-week academic visit focused on legal writing education. Sehnalek was selected through a highly competitive grant, awarded to only one recipient, to observe ASU Law’s legal writing courses and learn more about the program’s structure, pedagogy and impact. Below, he shares insights from his visit and reflects on the future of international collaboration in legal education.

Question: What motivated you to pursue this visit to ASU Law, and how did our program’s reputation influence your grant application?

Answer: Legal education in Central Europe remains largely doctrinal. Students master theory, but there is far less emphasis on practical skills, particularly legal writing. At the Faculty of Law at Masaryk University, legal writing is currently limited to a single small course. While it introduces the topic, it cannot provide the depth students truly need.

More than a decade ago, I began working to change this by developing a course taught in English by experts from both Europe and the United States. Professor Kim Holst from ASU Law has been a key part of this effort since 2019, and our students consistently value her teaching.

ASU Law’s national reputation as a top-ranked U.S. law school made it the ideal place to study legal writing pedagogy. Professor Kim Holst’s leadership within the Legal Writing Institute and the Association of American Law Schools further strengthened my grant application and ultimately played a decisive role in securing funding. Observing instruction in practice and experiencing the classroom firsthand offered insights that no book or interview could provide.

Q: What aspects of ASU Law’s legal writing curriculum or teaching methods were most meaningful or surprising to you?

A: I was deeply impressed by the sheer amount of time and resources U.S. law schools dedicate to legal writing. This approach is increasingly vital. As AI tools and legal databases evolve, rote memorization will matter less than the ability to analyze, write and communicate with clarity, purpose and sensitivity to the client’s needs.

One class that particularly resonated with me focused on legal research using free, publicly available resources. This is a highly practical skill. As legal technology advances, there is a real risk that high-quality information becomes concentrated within large firms. Teaching students to effectively use free tools helps ensure a more level playing field for future practitioners, particularly early in their careers.

Q: What insights or ideas do you hope to bring back to Masaryk University as you develop a new legal writing program?

A: A key takeaway is the value of a tiered approach to legal writing education, introducing these skills at the very beginning of law school and then revisiting them in an advanced course later. This allows students to build a strong foundation that grows alongside their legal knowledge.

Another crucial lesson is the importance of individualized feedback. The detailed commentary students receive in U.S. legal writing courses is incredibly valuable, though also time-intensive. Universities must recognize this workload when evaluating and supporting faculty who teach these essential skills. This is something we are still working toward at Masaryk University.

Q: How do you envision this visit shaping future collaboration between ASU Law and Masaryk University?

A: I hope this visit serves as a catalyst for expanded collaboration. We would be delighted to welcome ASU Law students and faculty to Masaryk University, something we have not yet done, despite hosting U.S. students and academics annually.

There is strong potential for joint workshops, exchanges and guest teaching, particularly in EU law, international trade, arbitration and ICT law. I would be happy to facilitate connections should ASU Law faculty or students be interested.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience at ASU Law?

A: I was impressed by the collegial and engaging atmosphere at ASU Law, as well as its modern learning environment. The faculty development lectures, social events and community-building activities were particularly inspiring.

These initiatives demonstrate a strong institutional culture that values collaboration, intellectual exchange and a shared sense of purpose. I believe it is essential for academics to connect informally and gain insight into areas of law beyond their own specialties, and ASU Law does this exceptionally well.