Thirteenth International Conference on The Image

Abstract

In traditional legal education, students are taught extensively about oral advocacy and written advocacy, but they learn almost nothing about visual advocacy. In the 21st century, lawyers must understand and be able to use design, images, and other visual tools to make them effective advocates and persuasive storytellers. This paper looks at the role of visual advocacy in settings beyond litigation with a focus on the use of design and images in social change movements. It argues that visual advocacy and legal design are necessary components of legal education, despite being taught at only a handful of law schools, and key to making the law more accessible to users of the law and those without specialized training. Lastly the paper seeks to articulate goals and approaches for the teaching of visual advocacy to law (and policy) students. The study draws on Prof. Fisher Page’s legal practice and teaching; builds on her clinical legal work at the Community Empowerment Law Project at the University of Iowa; and draws on her academic training in art history.