Center for Computer Assisted Legal Instruction records

Beginning in 1973, the University of Minnesota Law School used computer exercises for students to assist in learning concepts taught in courses. All exercises were only available on mainframe computers, which were costly and problematic to maintain. Russell Burris, professor of law at the University of Minnesota and Donald Trautman, professor of law at Harvard co-founded the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI) in June 1982. CALI was responsible for creating computer-based exercises for use on microcomputers, instead of the more costly mainframe computers. The purpose of the center was to "establish standards for hardware, software and courseware; to coordinate the distribution and use of computerized instructional exercises in law; to support authors in the development of new instructional programs; and to sponsor research for advancing the quality and effectiveness of the exercises in legal education." Any accredited law school in the United States and Canada could become a member of CALI for an annual fee. Russell Burris was the executive director of CALI and the University of Minnesota served as its headquarters.