What is the Digital Initiative?
Strong legal knowledge and advocacy skills remain fundamental to becoming a great lawyer. Today’s lawyers also need to understand the technology used to research, communicate, collaborate, manage information and serve clients.
The Digital Initiative is the home of OU Law's comprehensive technology and innovation co-curricular education. Through programming focused on essential legal and workplace technology, access to emerging artificial intelligence tools, and conversations with lawyers and technologists who are changing the profession, students gain practical exposure to the tools and ideas shaping modern legal practice.
Our technology-enhanced learning spaces, including the Inasmuch Foundation Collaborative Learning Center and Chickasaw Nation Active Learning Classroom, further support collaboration and active learning throughout the College of Law.
At OU Law, we prepare you to succeed in the modern practice of law.
Technology changes quickly, but the ability to understand and adapt to it lasts throughout a career.
Digital Initiative programming introduces students to the software and systems they are likely to encounter in legal practice, including Microsoft products, document management systems and other essential professional tools. Programming is designed to help students build practical familiarity with technology they will use to communicate, collaborate and manage their work as lawyers.
Students also learn directly from practitioners who have brought innovation to their organizations and careers. These conversations expose students to lawyers who have combined legal knowledge with technology, process improvement and new approaches to delivering legal services.
Through this programming, many students will receive over 10 hours of technology training over the course of the academic year wit hate Together, these experiences help students understand not only how to use technology, but how lawyers can use it thoughtfully to work differently and serve clients more effectively.
Artificial intelligence is changing how lawyers research, write, analyze information and approach legal work. OU Law gives students abundant access to leading AI tools and opportunities to learn how to use them effectively and responsibly.
Students can explore emerging AI technology while developing the judgment necessary to evaluate its capabilities and limitations. Guidance emphasizes thoughtful use in a professional environment, including the responsibilities lawyers carry when incorporating new technologies into their work.
As AI continues to evolve, OU Law students have opportunities to engage with the technology firsthand and consider what its development means for the lawyers, clients and legal organizations of the future.
Inasmuch Foundation Collaborative Learning Center
In 2016, OU Law launched the $1.5 million Inasmuch Foundation Collaborative Learning Center (CLC), housed in the Donald E. Pray Law Library. The CLC features four multimedia study rooms; a flipped seminar classroom; a fully-equipped computer lab with dual-monitor stations; moveable whiteboard desks and stands; Brody WorkLounges; a “genius station” for research support; and cooperative learning spaces for student collaboration.
Chickasaw Nation Active Learning Classroom
In 2021, the Donald E. Pray Law Library once again reimagined its space with the new, 1,500-square-foot Chickasaw Nation Active Learning Classroom (ALC). The ALC is a dynamic environment that expands course instruction beyond the traditional lecture format and encourages students to become engaged participants in their own learning.
Technology touches nearly every part of modern legal practice. Understanding it helps future lawyers prepare for:
- Professional and ethical responsibilities related to technology.
- The systems and software used in contemporary legal workplaces.
- Changing client expectations and approaches to delivering legal services.
- New opportunities to improve efficiency, collaboration and access to legal services.
- A profession that will continue to evolve throughout their careers.
Technology will change. The responsibility to understand it will not. OU Law prepares students to enter that changing profession ready to learn, adapt and lead.