Summer 2023 Course List

Blockchains—decentralized databases that are maintained by a distributed network of computers—present manifold challenges and opportunities, including unprecedented potential to disrupt financial systems, to support civic participation and democratize access to resources, and even to change what we understand “law” to be. As this set of technologies rapidly emerges, we must consider the extent to which we allow regulation and government intervention, balancing the maintenance of social norms against the need to let a nascent technology innovate. This course aims to help each of us unpack the various legal and regulatory levers potentially applicable to these technologies and to consider the design trade-offs inherent in adopting them as part of policy-making and governance.

This is the basic business law course. The emphasis of the first portion of the course is on the closely held business. To be considered are the following: Agency: General principles of the law of agency. Partnerships (general and limited): Formation, control, liabilities, property, dissolution and disposition of business; internal and external relations of partners. Limited Liability Companies and Corporations: Formation, control, allocation concerns; duties, liabilities, and rights of management and shareholders or members; dispute resolution devices; and fundamentals of capitalization and financing (including basic securities financing and securities law concerns, particularly respecting the private exempt offering). The primary emphasis of the second portion of the course is on the widely owned business. In this portion, general corporate governance and capitalization problems (including preferred stock and debt securities structuring) are further explored, along with corporate distributions and repurchases and fundamental corporate changes. Analysis of mergers and acquisitions is emphasized. Depending on available time, emphasis also is placed on the impact of federal securities laws on the corporate governance structure, including discussion of ongoing public disclosure requirements, proxy regulations, and insider trading restrictions and liabilities. The course is transaction-oriented, whereby planning and problem-solving are stressed, and interdisciplinary use of basic taxation, accounting, and finance notions is made. Special attention is given to the modern statutory trends.

The Government and Public Interest Externship Program is an academic program that combines a weekly public sector law class with hands-on fieldwork in nonprofit and government legal departments. Students who pass both the class and externship components receive one credit for the classroom component and 2-3 hours credit for their field work (depending on the hours worked at the placement).

A basic course for U.S. and international students on fundamental legal problems encountered in basic international business transactions (e.g., international sales, licensing and foreign direct investments) and in basic international financial arrangements ( e.g., international letters of credit, syndicated loans, project financing , Eurobond offerings and securitizations), along with selective issues facing the multinational enterprise. Particularly beneficial as a foundation course for the student desiring to pursue the international law area or for the student desiring only a survey of the area.

An analysis of principles and rules governing the conduct of lawyers. Topics include the client-lawyer relationship, competence, confidentiality, loyalty, the roles of lawyers as counselors and advocates, public service, advertising, admission to practice, and professional discipline.

Provides students with an introductory survey of technology tools relevant to the practice of law. Topics for the class include advanced features for practice in Westlaw and Lexis, software for billing and/or knowledge management, metadata, privacy, social media for lawyers, Zoom, and other applications necessary for practice from Microsoft Office and Adobe products. Concepts of legal ethics and technology competence are discussed throughout the course.