Jeff Leslie
Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Faculty Director for Curriculum
1111 East 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
phone: 773.834.9903
email: jleslie@law.uchicago.edu

Current Year Courses

• 44801 1 Commercial Real Estate Transactions
  This course examines the legal and business aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including purchase and sale contracts, choice of entity and tax considerations, condition of title and title insurance, survey, warranties, construction lending and construction contracts, and basic financing structures. The student's grade is based on a final examination.
  Spring (3)
  
  
• 49901 21 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)
  
  
• 62101 1 Transactional Lawyering
  This class will lay the foundation for the skills transactional lawyers employ in practice. It will expose students to the fundamentals of transactional lawyering starting with an orientation to a typical "deal" and the mindset of a transactional lawyer. Exercises will address skills such as interviewing and counseling clients, contract reviewing and drafting, and negotiation. Assignments will be a combination of simulations, out of class editing and writing, and peer review.
  Autumn (1) +
  
  
• 95013 1 Irwin Askow Housing Initiative
  Students in the Housing Initiative provide legal representation to community-based housing developers, tenant groups, and other parties involved in the production of new or rehabilitated affordable housing stock. Students advise clients on structuring issues; negotiate, draft and review construction and financing contracts; secure zoning and other governmental approvals; assist clients in resolving compliance issues under the applicable state and federal housing programs; and participate in the preparation of evidentiary and closing documents. The Housing Initiative focuses on innovative transactions sponsored by community-based organizations on the south side of Chicago. In addition to working on specific transactions, students in the Housing Project meet regularly as a group to discuss the substantive rules and legal skills pertinent to housing transactions and to examine emergent issues arising out of the students' work. Academic credit for the Housing Project varies and is awarded according to the Law School's general criteria for clinical courses as described in the Law School Announcements and by the approval of the clinical faculty.
  Autumn (var) a
  
  
• 98801 1 Negotiation and Mediation
  This course will introduce the theory and practice of negotiation and mediation across various contexts, including deal-making and dispute resolution. It will give students an organized theoretical framework for analyzing various parties positions and crafting thoughtful strategies. Students will develop their practical skills and individual styles through a series of simulation exercises, which will be executed inside and outside of class and then discussed and critiqued. Exposure to different techniques, styles, and contexts will be used to teach students what works best for them. Grades will be based on in-class exercises, a series of reaction papers based on out-of-class assignments, and a final negotiation that will be observed and evaluted by the instructors. Enrollment is limited to 24 students, with a preference given to third-year students. Students who take this class may not take Negotiation Theory and Practice (46702).
  Winter (3)