-
Art Law
LAWS 79301
- 01
(3)
b, c/l
This seminar examines legal issues in the visual arts including artist's rights and copyright, government regulation of the art market, valuation problems related to authentication and artist estates, disputes over the ownership of art, illicit international trade of art, government funding of museums and artists, and First Amendment issues as they relate to museums and artists. The basis of the grade will be class participation and three short papers. Writing for this seminar may be used as partial fulfillment of the JD writing requirement (SWP for JD '10; WP for JD '11 and JD '12).
Spring 2010
Anthony Hirschel, William M. Landes
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Asset Based Finance
LAWS 42512
- 01
(2)
This seminar course will be of most interest to students interested in financial transactions as the core of a corporate law practice. There are no pre-requisite courses. The emphasis in this seminar course will be on financings of identified operating assets, principally industrial and infrastructure projects and transportation equipment. These financings will be distinguished from financings of ongoing corporate enterprises, and representative transactions will be studied in depth in order to develop and then focus on selected legal structuring and legal practice issues, including, for example, legal opinions normally delivered at financial closings. Because these financings in practice employ nearly the full range of financial products, from commercial bank loans to capital market instruments, credit supports and derivatives, collateral security, and equity investments, the issues discussed have relevance to a broad range of financial transactions. The class will be discussion oriented; there will be no exam and grades will be based on short papers and class participation. The readings will include selected cases, portions of treatises and academic journals, and rating agency and official publications. One or more guest speakers from the financial community are expected. Enrollment is limited to twenty students. Corporation Law is not a prerequisite, but is recommended.
Autumn 2009
Martin Jacobson
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Asylum Law
LAWS 50012
- 01
(3)
b
This seminar will teach the practice of asylum law as well as its theoretical underpinnings in international law and sometimes conflictual domestic policies. Students will undertake a serious study of asylum and related humanitarian provisions, such as the Convention Against Torture, Withholding of Removal, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Class discussion will center on topical issues in this area, including the terrorism and "persecutor" bars to asylum, the question of what process is due in immigration court hearings, and the status of asylum claims based on gender, gang-related persecution, and mental illness. The student's grade will be based on class participation and a final paper. Writing for this seminar may be used as partial fulfillment of the JD writing requirement (SWP for JD '10; WP for JD '11 and JD '12).
Autumn 2009
Geoffrey Heeren
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Banking Law
LAWS TBD
- 01
(2)
Coming soon.
Spring 2010
M. Todd Henderson
-
Bankruptcy and Reorganization: The Federal Bankruptcy Code
LAWS 73601
- 01
(3)
This course studies the Federal Bankruptcy Code, including both the law of individual bankruptcy and the law of corporate reorganization. Topics include the rights of creditors in bankruptcy, the individual's right to discharge, the relationship between bankruptcy law and state law, the treatment of executory contracts, bankruptcy planning, the restructuring of corporations in Chapter 11, and the procedure for confirming plans of reorganization. Secured Transactions (LAWS 42201) is a useful, though not absolutely essential, preparation for this course. The student's grade will be based on a final examination.
Winter 2010
Douglas G. Baird
-
Bankruptcy and Reorganization: The Federal Bankruptcy Code
LAWS 73601
- 01
(3)
This course studies the Federal Bankruptcy Code, including both the law of individual bankruptcy and the law of corporate reorganization. Topics include the rights of creditors in bankruptcy, the individual's right to discharge, the relationship between bankruptcy law and state law, the treatment of executory contracts, bankruptcy planning, the restructuring of corporations in Chapter 11, and the procedure for confirming plans of reorganization. Secured Transactions (LAWS 42201) is a useful, though not absolutely essential, preparation for this course. The student's grade will be based on a final examination.
Spring 2010
Anup Malani
-
Business of Law
LAWS 61602
- 01
(2 to 3)
b
This course will focus our students' critical reasoning skills on their own chosen profession through an in-depth and interdisciplinary examination of the business of law. We will analyze the business, how it is changing, and professional development issues that all new lawyers should expect to arise over their long and varied careers. Classes will include guests with expertise in law firm management, client relationship skills, industry trends, and lawyer career development to prompt a robust and candid dialogue from a variety of perspectives. Reading materials will include selected articles, excerpts, and David H. Maister's influential Managing the Professional Services Firm. Grades will be based on classroom participation, short reaction papers, and, for those interested in three credits, a longer research paper. Writing for this seminar may be used as partial fulfillment of the JD writing requirement (SWP for JD '10; WP for JD '11 and JD '12).
Autumn 2009
Bruce Melton
-
Business Planning
LAWS 62802
- 01
(2 to 3)
+, s
This seminar develops and applies the student's knowledge of taxation and corporate and securities law in the solution of a series of transactional problems involving typical steps in business formation and rearrangement. The problems include the formation of a closely held company; the transition to public ownership of the corporation; executive compensation arrangements; the purchase and sale of a business; and mergers, tender offers, and other types of combination transactions. Small-group discussions and lectures are employed. The student must have taken (or be taking concurrently) Corporation Law and Taxation of Corporations I or receive instructor approval. The student's grade is based on a final examination; students may earn an additional credit by writing a paper on a topic approved by the instructors.
Winter 2010
Keith Crow, Keith Villmow
-
Buyouts
LAWS 42602
- 01
(3)
b
In this seminar we will examine going private transactions in which publicly held companies are acquired by private equity firms with the participation of the company's management or by controlling shareholders. This is an especially timely topic because management buyouts have become far more prevalent than they were in the past and controlling shareholder buyouts continue to be controversial. Both types of transactions raise conflict of interest issues because some of the company's directors or officers, who are ordinarily charged with obtaining as much as possible for public shareholders in a sale transaction, are instead attempting to buy the company for as little as possible. We will examine the methods that Delaware law has provided for dealing with these conflicts of interest, whether those methods are likely to be effective and whether other methods would be more effective. We will also look at a variety of other issues raised by buyouts, including why they occur, whether they are likely to be beneficial to shareholders in spite of the existence of conflicts of interest, the consequences to society of these transactions and the effect of the credit crunch on these transactions. Finally, we will examine the role of the lawyers who are involved in buyouts. There will be one 20-page paper. Grades will be based on the paper and class participation. The class size will be limited to 30. Writing for this seminar may be used as partial fulfillment of the JD writing requirement (SWP for JD '10 with instructor approval and submission of a longer paper; WP for JD '11 and JD '12).
Winter 2010
Scott Davis
-
Cicero's De Officiis (On Duties)
LAWS 47801
- 01
(3)
c/l
This class will study one of the most influential works in the whole history of Western political thought, a primary foundation for modern ideas of global justice and the just war. We will understand it in the context of Cicero's thought and its background in Hellenistic philosophy, and we will also do readings in translation that show its subsequent influence. Prerequisite. To enroll for credit, you must have had five quarters of Latin or the equivalent preparation. Others may audit. The translating will always be done in the first hour of the class, so those who do not want to participate can arrive an hour late. Requirements: a midterm and a final exam, and a final paper.
Winter 2010
Martha Nussbaum
-
Civil Procedure I
LAWS 30211
- 01
(3)
1L
Civil Procedure is offered in two parts. Part I meets in the Autumn Quarter and addresses the mechanics of civil litigation, with special reference to pleading, discovery, and trial, including the respective roles of judge and jury. Part II is offered in the Spring Quarter and focuses on the study of the power of particular courts to decide cases (subject matter jurisdiction); jurisdiction of the courts over the person or things before them; the scope and effect of judgments; principles of finality of judgments; and the rules governing joinder of claims and parties. The student's grade is based on an examination given at the end of each quarter.
Autumn 2009
Emily Buss
-
Civil Procedure I
LAWS 30211
- 02
(3)
1L
Civil Procedure is offered in two parts. Part I meets in the Autumn Quarter and addresses the mechanics of civil litigation, with special reference to pleading, discovery, and trial, including the respective roles of judge and jury. Part II is offered in the Spring Quarter and focuses on the study of the power of particular courts to decide cases (subject matter jurisdiction); jurisdiction of the courts over the person or things before them; the scope and effect of judgments; principles of finality of judgments; and the rules governing joinder of claims and parties. The student's grade is based on an examination given at the end of each quarter.
Autumn 2009
Adam Samaha
-
Civil Procedure II
LAWS 30221
- 01
(3)
1L
Civil Procedure is offered in two parts. Part I meets in the Autumn Quarter and addresses the mechanics of civil litigation, with special reference to pleading, discovery, and trial, including the respective roles of judge and jury. Part II is offered in the Spring Quarter and focuses on the study of the power of particular courts to decide cases (subject-matter jurisdiction); jurisdiction of the courts over the person or things before them; the scope and effect of judgments; principles of finality of judgments; and the rules governing joinder of claims and parties. The student's grade is based on an examination given at the end of each quarter.
Spring 2010
Diane P. Wood
-
Civil Procedure II
LAWS 30221
- 02
(3)
1L
Civil Procedure is offered in two parts. Part I meets in the Autumn Quarter and addresses the mechanics of civil litigation, with special reference to pleading, discovery, and trial, including the respective roles of judge and jury. Part II is offered in the Spring Quarter and focuses on the study of the power of particular courts to decide cases (subject-matter jurisdiction); jurisdiction of the courts over the person or things before them; the scope and effect of judgments; principles of finality of judgments; and the rules governing joinder of claims and parties. The student's grade is based on an examination given at the end of each quarter.
Spring 2010
Adam B. Cox
-
Civil Rights Clinic: Police Accountability
LAWS 90913
- 01
(1)
+, a, s
The Police Accountability Project (PAP) is a start-up project that began in Fall 2000. The Project's goals are to enhance police accountability and improve police services in Chicago through a combination of litigation and non-litigation strategies. Through the lens of live-client work, students study the nature of police accountability and misconduct in Chicago and the primary challenges to improving police services. Together, we examine how and where litigation fits into broader efforts to improve police accountability and ultimately our criminal justice system. PAP provides legal representation to indigent victims of police abuse in federal civil rights cases, administrative proceedings, and a limited amount of state criminal litigation. The Project takes on cases that would not ordinarily be brought by the private bar, focusing on those that have potential to raise public consciousness and to facilitate reform. Students work on all aspects of PAP's litigation, from early case investigation and the filing of a complaint through all pretrial, trial, and appellate advocacy. In addition to its litigation activities, PAP has developed a number of programs and reform-oriented strategies in partnership with a diverse array of community, legal, and law enforcement groups. For example, PAP has formed a partnership with public housing residents in Stateway Gardens, a public housing community just a 10-minute drive away from the Law School, to address police accountability, service, and community relations issues. As with PAP's litigation activities, students are fully integrated into PAP's public education, policy reform, and community work. Students are also expected to develop and update PAP's project manual. Second-year students wishing to enroll in the Project are required [strongly encouraged] to take Evidence and Criminal Procedure I early in their second year. Constitutional Law III is also recommended. Third-year students are required to complete, prior to their third year, Evidence, Criminal Procedure I, either Pretrial Advocacy or Major Civil Litigation, and either the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop or Trial Advocacy. Enrollment in PAP is limited and preference will be given to students who have taken the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop and Pretrial Advocacy.
Autumn 2009
Craig B. Futterman, Jason Huber
-
Civil Rights Clinic: Police Accountability
LAWS 90913
- 01
(1)
+, a, s
The Police Accountability Project (PAP) is a start-up project that began in Fall 2000. The Project's goals are to enhance police accountability and improve police services in Chicago through a combination of litigation and non-litigation strategies. Through the lens of live-client work, students study the nature of police accountability and misconduct in Chicago and the primary challenges to improving police services. Together, we examine how and where litigation fits into broader efforts to improve police accountability and ultimately our criminal justice system. PAP provides legal representation to indigent victims of police abuse in federal civil rights cases, administrative proceedings, and a limited amount of state criminal litigation. The Project takes on cases that would not ordinarily be brought by the private bar, focusing on those that have potential to raise public consciousness and to facilitate reform. Students work on all aspects of PAP's litigation, from early case investigation and the filing of a complaint through all pretrial, trial, and appellate advocacy. In addition to its litigation activities, PAP has developed a number of programs and reform-oriented strategies in partnership with a diverse array of community, legal, and law enforcement groups. For example, PAP has formed a partnership with public housing residents in Stateway Gardens, a public housing community just a 10-minute drive away from the Law School, to address police accountability, service, and community relations issues. As with PAP's litigation activities, students are fully integrated into PAP's public education, policy reform, and community work. Students are also expected to develop and update PAP's project manual. Second-year students wishing to enroll in the Project are required [strongly encouraged] to take Evidence and Criminal Procedure I early in their second year. Constitutional Law III is also recommended. Third-year students are required to complete, prior to their third year, Evidence, Criminal Procedure I, either Pretrial Advocacy or Major Civil Litigation, and either the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop or Trial Advocacy. Enrollment in PAP is limited and preference will be given to students who have taken the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop and Pretrial Advocacy.
Spring 2010
Craig B. Futterman, Jason Huber
-
Civil Rights Clinic: Police Accountability
LAWS 90913
- 01
(1)
+, a, s
The Police Accountability Project (PAP) is a start-up project that began in Fall 2000. The Project's goals are to enhance police accountability and improve police services in Chicago through a combination of litigation and non-litigation strategies. Through the lens of live-client work, students study the nature of police accountability and misconduct in Chicago and the primary challenges to improving police services. Together, we examine how and where litigation fits into broader efforts to improve police accountability and ultimately our criminal justice system. PAP provides legal representation to indigent victims of police abuse in federal civil rights cases, administrative proceedings, and a limited amount of state criminal litigation. The Project takes on cases that would not ordinarily be brought by the private bar, focusing on those that have potential to raise public consciousness and to facilitate reform. Students work on all aspects of PAP's litigation, from early case investigation and the filing of a complaint through all pretrial, trial, and appellate advocacy. In addition to its litigation activities, PAP has developed a number of programs and reform-oriented strategies in partnership with a diverse array of community, legal, and law enforcement groups. For example, PAP has formed a partnership with public housing residents in Stateway Gardens, a public housing community just a 10-minute drive away from the Law School, to address police accountability, service, and community relations issues. As with PAP's litigation activities, students are fully integrated into PAP's public education, policy reform, and community work. Students are also expected to develop and update PAP's project manual. Second-year students wishing to enroll in the Project are required [strongly encouraged] to take Evidence and Criminal Procedure I early in their second year. Constitutional Law III is also recommended. Third-year students are required to complete, prior to their third year, Evidence, Criminal Procedure I, either Pretrial Advocacy or Major Civil Litigation, and either the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop or Trial Advocacy. Enrollment in PAP is limited and preference will be given to students who have taken the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop and Pretrial Advocacy.
Winter 2010
Craig B. Futterman, Jason Huber
-
Class Action Controversies
LAWS 93602
- 01
(2 to 3)
b, s
This seminar will address the legal principles that govern class action litigation in federal and state courts. The seminar will discuss the requirements of Rule 23, current issues and recent court decisions, legislative modifications to class action practice, constitutional principles applicable to class actions, and the legal, practical, and ethical issues that arise in class actions. Students will be evaluated based on class participation and their final option. Students have the option of submitting a seminar paper or taking an examination at the conclusion of the quarter. Students wishing to receive a third credit will need to submit additional written work. Writing for this seminar may be used as partial fulfillment of the JD writing requirement (SWP for JD '10; WP for JD '11 and JD '12).
Winter 2010
Michael Brody
-
Climate Change
LAWS 46012
- 01
(3)
This seminar will study the law, economics, and policy of climate change. It will be centered around a simulation of climate change negotiations. Students will be assigned to represent a nation or region as diplomats at an international climate change treaty negotiation (sorry, no exotic locations, just a seminar room). The initial sessions will be devoted to briefings for the diplomats from scientists, economists, and industry. If possible, we will have field scientists and representatives from industry do these briefing and the student/diplomats will have the opportunity to pose questions. The latter part of class will devoted to the negotiations and a debriefing. Student/diplomats can also negotiate outside of the formal in-class negotiations, with nations making any side-deals that they desire. Student/diplomats will have to prepare positions papers for their countries that examine the incentives of the country to participate in various treaties, including the impact of climate change on that country, the costs of mitigation of the harm, and the local industries affected by a treaty. Position papers should also consider issues of justice: how much of the burden should each nation be obligated to bear. Grades will be based on the position papers and class participation, including advocacy of your country's interests. Enrollment is limited to 20.
Autumn 2009
David A. Weisbach
-
Commercial Leasing: Law and Practice
LAWS 44012
- 01
(3)
s
Young corporate associates are often given significant assignments in negotiating and drafting commercial leases. This seminar is designed to give students not only in-depth knowledge of much of the substantive law underlying such leases but also to provide them real-life opportunities to see how this knowledge will be used in every day practice. Students will, for most exercises, be assigned to two-person teams. Each team will be its own law firm and will draft work product without consulting other teams or third party materials, unless permitted to do so by the professor. On two occasions teams will be responsible for drafting clauses for inclusion in a lease - clauses which deal with substantive law already covered in the classroom. About mid-way through the course each student will receive a new lease and be asked to write a letter to his or her client, explaining the most important clauses and suggesting what to do about them. The final course exercise will involve introduction of yet another new lease form with two-person tenant teams submitting a list of objections to corresponding two-person landlord teams. The teams will then negotiate the objections and landlord teams will then draft the agreed-upon changes. The tenant teams must then review the changes for conformity with the negotiated agreements. By the end of this course, students will have developed a genuine understanding of the major terms of an office lease, the goals and objectives of both parties to such a transaction, and the practice skills crucial to effective representation. There will be no final exam. Enrollment will be limited to 20 students.
Winter 2010
Jack Oest
