Law and Order: New Course Explores American Legal Framework

Taught Ben Thorn, a corporate litigator turned educator, the class — one of several new courses offered this year — delves into the American legal system, offering students insights into legal concepts, individual rights and practical aspects of law. 

Thorn, a history and Latin teacher in the Middle and Upper Schools, brings the legal world to life, guiding the class of seniors through the process of reading and understanding cases and statutes, analyzing the various government bodies responsible for making and enforcing laws, and exploring what defines a law. He also encourages them to consider how laws and our legal system sometimes fall short of achieving society’s values. 

“At its core, this is a class about encouraging students to think critically about the rules we as a society create and how they either support or undermine important societal values,” Thorn said. “If we want students to create positive change in the world, it is important they first understand the current system and its pressure points.” 

Immanuelle Kennerly ’25 has found the course eye-opening: “We spent a class going through the rule of law in various countries and it changed my perspective on how each country is governed and why it is so important to understand the power that the legal system has.” 

Although the students are delving into complex topics, Thorn’s goal is simple: “I want my students to come away with a sense of how lawyers think, how they approach problems, and how the legal system as a whole operates. Whatever field they go into, I hope they'll better understand the intersection of the law and what they're studying.”