Connections between Engineering and Law Synergies and Opportunities

Despite the anecdotal animosity between Engineers and Lawyers, the attributes necessary for success in either profession are quite similar. These include the synthesis of information, making decisions when there are multiple feasible outcomes, and making decisions with uncertain information. In addition, in the US both professions require professional licensure. While there is no specific undergraduate curriculum leading to Law School, the American Bar Association has developed a list of Core Skills and Values that should be acquired before entering Law School. Many of the ABA Core Skills and Values are aligned with the the ABET a-k Program Outcomes for Engineering Education. This paper will correlate the attributes between Engineering and Law, describe the relationships between these Core Skills and Values and the ABET Program Outcomes and illustrate the interrelationship between preparation for Law School and an engineering degree. The paper will discuss the addition law-oriented topics to the engineering curriculum and illustrate a course that has been taught.