In February 2026, Richard Freer, dean and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, celebrated with the school’s newest group of graduates. But these individuals were not Emory Law students; they were law school staffers who had just completed the sought-after Language of the Law course.

Language of the Law: Concepts and Insights is a course open to Emory Law, MacMillan Law Library, and Emory Law Advancement and Alumni Engagement employees who have not previously studied the law. The class, grounded in legal information literacy, introduces participants to the country’s governing laws and helps them understand how the branches of government operate.

“It’s about teaching people how government works—how laws can shape social justice and civic advancement,” says Christina Glon, associate law librarian for research services and Language of the Law instructor. “The class is about being an informed citizen and unpacking the checks and balances.”

Glon has been teaching the Language of the Law class to both Emory Law employees and students for a number of years. The class was initially part of a 14-week-long analysis, research, and communication class for non-JD students. It later evolved into a required course for incoming Juris Master students, and then a boot-camp session during orientation. Glon suggested offering the materials to Emory Law employees as well, so staff could better understand and become more comfortable with legal materials and resources.

Taught in-person at Emory Law, Language of the Law participants meet weekly for five weeks. On the first day of class, students receive a personal copy of the United States Constitution and take a tour of MacMillan Law Library.

“The first thing we do is instill an awe for the power of the Constitution—what this country is based on and how that is playing out today,” says Glon. “We want the participants to know that they have the power and knowledge to research anything they want and understand how it all works together.”

In addition to the lectures and hands-on experience with legal resources, the class also hears from some special guests. Most recently, Professor Alexander Volokh stopped by to share insights on legal history and constitutional law. According to Glon, one of the highlights of teaching this class is observing the participants’ “a-ha” moments:

“Employees are living in the law school environment already—they’re seeing the materials, hearing the language, and observing faculty and students working in this space. In our class, they recognize ‘Oh, that’s why journal articles are so important’ or ‘Now I see why the school focuses on this area of law.’ To me, it’s really powerful teaching the class how to unpack legal headlines and research issues for themselves.”

After attending lectures and finishing their homework assignments, participants receive a certificate of completion. The document is signed by Glon, Freer, and other leaders within MacMillan Library. 

To date, 40 Emory Law employees have taken the Language of the Law course.

“Before the course, I was intimidated when researching law. Now, with the exposure to the different case law studies and databases, I am more at ease striving toward becoming more knowledgeable on US law. The course was interesting and useful, and the instructor kept the material fresh and enlightening,” says Operations Coordinator Carma Adams.

“As both an Emory Law staff member and an aspiring lawyer, I found the experience invaluable in deepening my understanding of the legal system and the experiences of the students we support here at Emory Law. It truly reinforced my belief that learning is a lifelong process, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to expand my knowledge in such an engaging environment,” says Monique Johnson, administrative assistant with the Office of the Registrar.

If you are an Emory Law employee interested in taking Language of the Law, you can reach out to Christina Glon. She will send an email update when the class is offered again. She is aiming for the 2027 spring semester.