CS50 for Lawyers – Introduction to Computer Science

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• How computers work (bits, bytes, data, logic)

• Programming fundamentals (Python, SQL, HTML, JavaScript)

• Computer science principles in a legal context

• Core security, privacy, and encryption concepts

• Legal challenges of emerging technologies

📘 Course TOC: CS50 for Lawyers

Duration: 10 Weeks | Estimated Effort: ~80 Hours | Format: Self-paced

🧩 Module 1: Understanding How Computers Work

• 1.1 What is a computer? (Bits, Bytes & Binary)

• 1.2 Software vs. Hardware: Roles in Automation

• 1.3 How Computers Process Legal Information

• Quiz: The Building Blocks of Digital Logic

🧠 Module 2: Algorithms & Problem-Solving

• 2.1 Introduction to Algorithms & Efficiency

• 2.2 Searching and Sorting in Legal Databases

• 2.3 Pseudocode and Logical Structuring

• Lab Task: Write your first legal search logic

💻 Module 3: Programming with Python

• 3.1 Syntax, Variables, Conditions & Loops

• 3.2 Functions and Legal Logic Automation

• 3.3 Common Python Errors in LegalTech

• Coding Challenge: Create a Court Case Sorter

🧮 Module 4: Memory & Data Structures

• 4.1 Stacks, Queues & Hash Tables

• 4.2 Case Management Systems Using Structures

• 4.3 Intro to Trees: Court Hierarchies & Precedents

• Mini Project: Visualizing Judgement Citations

🛠️ Module 5: C Programming (Brief) & Compilation

• 5.1 From Code to Machine: How Lawyers Use CLI Tools

• 5.2 Introduction to C Syntax & Debugging

• 5.3 Why Lawyers Should Understand Low-Level Logic

🌐 Module 6: Web Development Basics

• 6.1 HTML, CSS & JavaScript (Mini Law Portal)

• 6.2 Forms & Client-Side Validation

• 6.3 Ethics & Legal Implications of Website Data Collection

• Workshop: Build a Legal Q&A Form in HTML

🗃️ Module 7: SQL & Databases

• 7.1 Storing Legal Records Efficiently

• 7.2 Queries, Joins & Filters for Legal Search

• 7.3 Secure Database Design

• LegalTech Mini Project: Build a Legal Case Tracker

🔐 Module 8: Cybersecurity for Lawyers

• 8.1 Cryptography: Hashing, Keys, and Signatures

• 8.2 Client Confidentiality in Cloud-based Systems

• 8.3 Cyber Attacks on Legal Infrastructure

• Debate Forum: Should AI-generated legal advice be encrypted?

🧾 Module 9: Final Case Study Project

• Apply programming & logic to a legal task (e.g., compliance tool)

• Choose a track: Contract Analyzer, Privacy Law Bot, or Legal Citation Engine

• Peer-reviewed + auto-graded