Craig B. Futterman
Clinical Professor of Law
6020 S. University
Chicago, IL 60637
phone: 773-702-9611
email: futterman@uchicago.edu

Current Year Courses

• 49901 45 Independent Research
  Second- and third-year students may earn course credit by independent research under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Such projects are arranged by consultation between the student and the particular member of the faculty in whose field the proposed topic falls.
  Autumn (3)
  
  
• 51102 1 Section 1983 Civil Rights Litigation
  42 U.S.C. ? 1983 is the primary federal statute that allows individuals to act as private attorney generals in bringing civil prosecutions against government actors for violations of the United States Constitution and other federal laws civil rights lawsuits. Through this statute, individuals and groups have challenged school segregation and discrimination, police and prison abuse, the mistreatment of children in the child welfare system, government takings of private property, abridgements of free speech or assembly, and more. The development of Section 1983 civil rights litigation has also raised concerns about subjecting public officials to protracted litigation, issues of federalism, and over-deterrence. These and other concerns have led to granting officials immunity and erecting a number of procedural barriers, making civil rights litigation even more complex and difficult to sustain. In this seminar, we will study Section 1983 through a combination of lecture/classroom discussion around the doctrine and by applying the law through simulated classroom exercises (learning by doing). The exercises will revolve primarily around the litigation of an individual s claim that he was falsely accused of committing murder. The exercises include, among other things, drafting a civil rights complaint, and drafting and arguing summary judgment briefs. This seminar may be taken to fulfill one of the substantial writing requirements, if the summary judgment paper is certified by the professor as having met the criteria. Grades will be based on class participation and the required written submissions. Enrollment is limited to 16 students.
  Winter (3) b
  
  
• 67403 1 Pre-Trial Advocacy
  This seminar focuses on fundamental pretrial litigation strategies and skills, including creation and evaluation of legal and factual theories, pleading and motion practice, interviewing clients and witnesses, discovery planning, depositions, negotiations and pretrial preparation. The seminar employs a variety of learning methodologies, including lectures, small group discussions, simulated exercises, and videotaped performances by students. Evidence is a prerequisite. Students taking Pretrial Advocacy are also eligible to enroll in the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop. The student's grade is based on class participation. Enrollment is limited to 48 students with preference given to students who have been accepted into a clinic course. Students who have taken Advanced Trial Advocacy (LAWS 93802) may not take this course.
  Spring (2) +
  
  
• 67503 1 Intensive Trial Practice Workshop
  This practicum teaches trial preparation, trial advocacy, and strategy through a variety of teaching techniques, including lectures and demonstrations, but primarily through simulated trial exercises. Topics include opening statements, witness preparation, direct and cross examination, expert witnesses, objections at trial, and closing argument. Practicing lawyers and judges are enlisted to provide students with lectures and critiques from varied perspectives. The practicum concludes with a simulated jury trial presided over by sitting state and federal court judges. Evidence is a prerequisite. Students taking the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop may enroll in Pre-Trial Advocacy. Completion of this workshop partially satisfies one of the requirements for admission to the trial bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This practicum is open only to students entering their 3L year and limited to 54 with preference given to students who have been accepted into a Clinic course. Students who have taken Advanced Trial Advocacy (LAW 93802) or Trial Practice: Strategy and Advocacy (LAWS 91702) may not take this course. This practicum is offered for approximately six hours/day during the two weeks prior to the beginning of the Autumn Quarter. The student's grade is based on class participation.
  Autumn (2) +
  
  
• 90913 1 Civil Rights Clinic: Police Accountability
  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 (var) a, +
  
  

Other courses taught include:

Pretrial Advocacy