“We’re not focusing on a particular legal issue, but rather how to help clients think through what their goals are and how to find a solution that works for everyone,” Singer said.

Several law schools have expressed interest in offering a similar course, and Rakoff said that Harvard Law School professors are discussing the possible creation of more advanced problem-solving courses for upper-level students to supplement their hands-on experience in the clinical program.

Though first-year students appreciated the change of pace and new approach to tackling legal issues, they questioned whether such problem-based learning could be expanded to upper-level courses.

Law School student Saish R. Setty said he would not choose an advanced problem-solving course over a clinical course offered to 2Ls and 3Ls.

“You’re not working with simulation [in clinical courses],” Setty said. “You’re working with real problems.”

First-year Marie Ndiaye described the new course as a “welcome joke,” citing that the workload was much lighter compared to her other courses, though she stopped short of discrediting it altogether.

“It’s not a complete sham,” Ndiaye said. “It was kind of like being a real lawyer.”

Though some faculty have raised concerns that the new problem-solving course marks a trend away from theory-based teaching, Minow noted that this class is “only one out of 20.”

Abrams agreed, adding that “it’s a disservice to train people for three years and not give them the tools they need to practice a profession.”

“We’re not even close to turning into a trade-school,” Abrams said.

—Staff writer Zoe A. Y. Weinberg can be reached at zoe.weinberg@college.harvard.edu.