Michael L. Bloom : Courses and Seminars
Contracts and Commercial Transactions
LAWS 91553
The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with contracts as used by sophisticated parties. Accordingly, this course will explore "real-world" contracts actually entered into by "real-world" companies-the Coca-Cola's, Microsoft's, and HP's of the world. Through this course, the student will attain a certain facility with agreements, their organization and structure, their language, and their provisions (and the interaction of these provisions). In addition to looking at contracts through the eyes of parties and practitioners, the course will pay considerable attention to how courts have treated various contractual provisions, exploring areas of substantive law-including, and in addition to, contract law-to the extent relevant. The examination of actual contracts will begin with non-disclosure agreements and will proceed into employment agreements, services agreements, and agreements for the sale of goods. Depending on time (and student interest), we may also delve into lending and/or merger-and-acquisition agreements. Readings will include comments from leading practicing attorneys (from law firms such as Sidley, Kirkland, and Cravath, and from legal departments at companies such as Microsoft, Accenture, and JPMorgan).
The student's grade will be based on in-class participation as well as a mid-term exercise and a take-home final exam. The mid-term exercise will involve substantial time spent outside of class negotiating and drafting an agreement and writing a memorandum analyzing this agreement. The take-home final exam will require the student to apply the tools and concepts developed by reviewing and working with contracts throughout this course to an agreement not presented in class or the materials. This course is highly recommended for those students interested in taking other transactional offerings at the Law School, including (but, of course, not limited to) either section of "Corporate Lab: Transactional Clinic."
Autumn 2011
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom
Corporate Lab: Transactional Clinic
LAWS 91562
This transactional clinic provides students with a forum for working closely with legal teams at various major companies in the following sectors (subject to change): finance, healthcare, insurance, and aviation. This section aims to teach practical legal skills and knowledge both by having students work on actual projects and through classroom instruction and discussion. In addition, students will have the opportunity to hear from, and interface with, seasoned practitioners from leading law firms.
This class mirrors a real-world work experience: Students will receive hands-on substantive and "client"-development experience and will be expected to manage and meet expectations (e.g., deadlines) while exercising a high level of professionalism. As a result, this class is likely to involve a significant time commitment (with a substantial amount of work to be completed outside of class), and students will get out of the Lab what they put into it.
Student grades will be based upon participation in the classroom, appropriate attention to "client" service, collaborative efforts within a team environment, and quality of work product. This offering will not count toward seminar restrictions. Please note that students who register are expected to remain in the course for three consecutive quarters, and that students may not take the Corporate Lab for more than nine credits. Students may be required to sign nondisclosure agreements with participating companies. While certainly not a prerequisite, "Contracts and Commercial Transactions" (offered in the fall quarters) is strongly recommended for all students to take prior to, or concurrent with, taking the transactional clinics of the Corporate Lab.
LL.M. students by instructor permission only.
Autumn 2011
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom, Sean Z. Kramer
Corporate Lab: Transactional Clinic
LAWS 91562
This transactional clinic provides students with a forum for working closely with legal teams at various major companies in the following sectors (subject to change): technology, consulting, telecommunications, and emerging businesses. This section aims to teach practical legal skills and knowledge both by having students work on actual projects and through classroom instruction and discussion. In addition, students will have the opportunity to hear from, and interface with, seasoned practitioners from leading law firms.
This class mirrors a real-world work experience: Students will receive hands-on substantive and "client"-development experience and will be expected to manage and meet expectations (e.g., deadlines) while exercising a high level of professionalism. As a result, this class is likely to involve a significant time commitment (with a substantial amount of work to be completed outside of class), and students will get out of the Lab what they put into it.
Student grades will be based upon participation in the classroom, appropriate attention to "client" service, collaborative efforts within a team environment, and quality of work product. This offering will not count toward seminar restrictions. Please note that students who register are expected to remain in the course for three consecutive quarters, and that students may not take the Corporate Lab for more than nine credits. Students may be required to sign nondisclosure agreements with participating companies. While certainly not a prerequisite, "Contracts and Commercial Transactions" (offered in the fall quarters) is strongly recommended for all students to take prior to, or concurrent with, taking the transactional clinics of the Corporate Lab.
LL.M. students by instructor permission only.
Spring 2012
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom, Sean Z. Kramer
Corporate Lab: Transactional Clinic
LAWS 91562
This transactional clinic provides students with a forum for working closely with legal teams at various major companies in the following sectors (subject to change): technology, consulting, telecommunications, and emerging businesses. This section aims to teach practical legal skills and knowledge both by having students work on actual projects and through classroom instruction and discussion. In addition, students will have the opportunity to hear from, and interface with, seasoned practitioners from leading law firms.
This class mirrors a real-world work experience: Students will receive hands-on substantive and "client"-development experience and will be expected to manage and meet expectations (e.g., deadlines) while exercising a high level of professionalism. As a result, this class is likely to involve a significant time commitment (with a substantial amount of work to be completed outside of class), and students will get out of the Lab what they put into it.
Student grades will be based upon participation in the classroom, appropriate attention to "client" service, collaborative efforts within a team environment, and quality of work product. This offering will not count toward seminar restrictions. Please note that students who register are expected to remain in the course for three consecutive quarters, and that students may not take the Corporate Lab for more than nine credits. Students may be required to sign nondisclosure agreements with participating companies. While certainly not a prerequisite, "Contracts and Commercial Transactions" (offered in the fall quarters) is strongly recommended for all students to take prior to, or concurrent with, taking the transactional clinics of the Corporate Lab.
LL.M. students by instructor permission only.
Autumn 2011
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom, Sean Z. Kramer
Corporate Lab: Transactional Clinic
LAWS 91562
This transactional clinic provides students with a forum for working closely with legal teams at various major companies in the following sectors (subject to change): finance, healthcare, insurance, and aviation. This section aims to teach practical legal skills and knowledge both by having students work on actual projects and through classroom instruction and discussion. In addition, students will have the opportunity to hear from, and interface with, seasoned practitioners from leading law firms.
This class mirrors a real-world work experience: Students will receive hands-on substantive and "client"-development experience and will be expected to manage and meet expectations (e.g., deadlines) while exercising a high level of professionalism. As a result, this class is likely to involve a significant time commitment (with a substantial amount of work to be completed outside of class), and students will get out of the Lab what they put into it.
Student grades will be based upon participation in the classroom, appropriate attention to "client" service, collaborative efforts within a team environment, and quality of work product. This offering will not count toward seminar restrictions. Please note that students who register are expected to remain in the course for three consecutive quarters, and that students may not take the Corporate Lab for more than nine credits. Students may be required to sign nondisclosure agreements with participating companies. While certainly not a prerequisite, "Contracts and Commercial Transactions" (offered in the fall quarters) is strongly recommended for all students to take prior to, or concurrent with, taking the transactional clinics of the Corporate Lab.
LL.M. students by instructor permission only.
Spring 2012
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom, Sean Z. Kramer
Corporate Lab: Transactional Clinic
LAWS 91562
This transactional clinic provides students with a forum for working closely with legal teams at various major companies in the following sectors (subject to change): technology, consulting, telecommunications, and emerging businesses. This section aims to teach practical legal skills and knowledge both by having students work on actual projects and through classroom instruction and discussion. In addition, students will have the opportunity to hear from, and interface with, seasoned practitioners from leading law firms.
This class mirrors a real-world work experience: Students will receive hands-on substantive and "client"-development experience and will be expected to manage and meet expectations (e.g., deadlines) while exercising a high level of professionalism. As a result, this class is likely to involve a significant time commitment (with a substantial amount of work to be completed outside of class), and students will get out of the Lab what they put into it.
Student grades will be based upon participation in the classroom, appropriate attention to "client" service, collaborative efforts within a team environment, and quality of work product. This offering will not count toward seminar restrictions. Students who register are expected to remain in the course for three consecutive quarters; however, third-year law students may register in the Winter Quarter with instructor permission and will be expected to remain in the course for two consecutive quarters. Students may not take the Corporate Lab for more than nine credits. Students may be required to sign nondisclosure agreements with participating companies.
LL.M. students by instructor permission only.
Winter 2012
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom, Sean Z. Kramer
Corporate Lab: Transactional Clinic
LAWS 91562
This transactional clinic provides students with a forum for working closely with legal teams at various major companies in the following sectors (subject to change): finance, healthcare, insurance, and aviation. This section aims to teach practical legal skills and knowledge both by having students work on actual projects and through classroom instruction and discussion. In addition, students will have the opportunity to hear from, and interface with, seasoned practitioners from leading law firms.
This class mirrors a real-world work experience: Students will receive hands-on substantive and "client"-development experience and will be expected to manage and meet expectations (e.g., deadlines) while exercising a high level of professionalism. As a result, this class is likely to involve a significant time commitment (with a substantial amount of work to be completed outside of class), and students will get out of the Lab what they put into it.
Student grades will be based upon participation in the classroom, appropriate attention to "client" service, collaborative efforts within a team environment, and quality of work product. This offering will not count toward seminar restrictions. Students who register are expected to remain in the course for three consecutive quarters; however, third-year law students may register in the Winter Quarter with instructor permission and will be expected to remain in the course for two consecutive quarters. Students may not take the Corporate Lab for more than nine credits. Students may be required to sign nondisclosure agreements with participating companies.
LL.M. students by instructor permission only.
Winter 2012
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom, Sean Z. Kramer
Leadership
LAWS 75102
The divide between law and business is becoming increasingly blurred as clients look to their lawyers not merely for legal advice but also for leadership and results-focused solutions to complex business problems. Increasing competition, early specialization, and client cost constraints provide junior attorneys with few opportunities to develop the skills necessary to meet these increasing expectations. Through this highly intensive seminar, students will develop the judgment and practical skills necessary to become effective leaders and problem solvers, as well as an understanding of the theoretical foundations of effective leadership. Topics will include project management, strategic vision, forms of influence, and business leadership. Materials will include cutting-edge research, case histories, videos, and literature.
The student's grade will be based on active and insightful class participation, in-class presentations, reflection papers on assigned readings, and a final paper on an instructor-approved topic of the student's choosing (examples of potential topics include leadership in alliance formation, variations in governing board structures, performance consequences of executive succession, and leadership in outsourcing relationships). Enrollment is very limited given the unique nature of this seminar. Those interested should submit an expression of interest to the instructors, as instructor approval is required for enrollment.
Spring 2012
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom
Leadership
LAWS 75102
The divide between law and business is becoming increasingly blurred as clients look to their lawyers not merely for legal advice but also for leadership and results-focused solutions to complex business problems. Increasing competition, early specialization, and client cost constraints provide junior attorneys with few opportunities to develop the skills necessary to meet these increasing expectations. Through this highly intensive seminar, students will develop the judgment and practical skills necessary to become effective leaders and problem solvers, as well as an understanding of the theoretical foundations of effective leadership. Topics will include project management, strategic vision, forms of influence, and business leadership. Materials will include cutting-edge research, case histories, videos, and literature. Class sessions occasionally will include speakers who have played important leadership roles.
The student's grade will be based on active and insightful class participation, reflection papers on assigned readings, and a final paper on an instructor-approved topic of the student's choosing (examples of potential topics include leadership in alliance formation, variations in governing board structures, performance consequences of executive succession, and leadership in outsourcing relationships). Enrollment is very limited given the unique nature of this seminar, and instructor approval is required. If there is sufficient student interest, there may be a follow-on leadership seminar offered in the Spring.
Winter 2012
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom
Negotiation and Mediation
LAWS 98801
This class 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.
Enrollment is limited to 20 students, with a preference given to third-year students.
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 evaluated by the instructors.
Spring 2012
David Zarfes, Michael L. Bloom
Strategic Drafting
LAWS 79914
As with writing in any other context, drafting contracts with deftness and effectiveness requires an appreciation for the objectives to be achieved and the audiences to be reached. This class will explore the "real-world" situations in which a lawyer (in particular, a junior lawyer) may be called upon to draft and revise agreements. These situations may be informed by a variety of factors, such as the leverage and posture of the parties, the nature of the relevant relationships at stake, and the allotted resources (e.g., time, money) for drafting and negotiating. Through this class, the student will develop the ability to draft contracts effectively, which (more than crafting an unambiguous sentence) involves strategically and optimally accomplishing the lawyer's (i.e., the client's) objectives.
Winter 2012
Michael L. Bloom
