Legal Practice and Ethics Courses

The courses listed below provide a taste of the Legal Practice and Ethics courses offered at the Law School, although no formal groupings exist in our curriculum. This list includes the courses taught in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Not all of these courses are offered every year, but this list will give you a representative sample of the variety of courses we might offer over any two-year period. Other new courses will likely be offered during your time at the Law School.

PLEASE NOTE: This page does not include courses for the current academic year. To browse current course offerings, visit my.UChicago.

Jump to a course

Courses

Abrams Environmental Law Clinic

Students in the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic promote clean energy, fight against water pollution, protect natural resources and human health, and address legacy contamination. Students learn practical legal skills, such as conducting factual investigations, interviewing witnesses and preparing affidavits, reviewing administrative determinations, drafting motions, working with experts, arguing motions and presenting at trial or an administrative hearing. The Clinic represents regional and national environmental organizations and individuals and often works with co-counsel. In addition to litigation, the Clinic may also engage in legislative reform and rule-making efforts; students interested solely in that kind of work should notify the instructor before joining the Clinic. While the course does not have any pre-requisites, students are strongly encouraged to take an environmental law, energy law, and/or administrative law courses at some point during their time in the clinic. A student enrolling in the Clinic for the first time should sign up for two credits; in subsequent quarters, the student may enroll for one, two or three credits per quarter after consultation with clinic faculty. Spring clinic seats are open to 2L and 3L students only.

Class evaluation is based on: Substantial out of class work, legal research and writing, oral presentation and advocacy.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Mark N. Templeton, Jacob Schuhardt, Sam Heppell
• Winter 2023: Mark N. Templeton
• Autumn 2023: Mark N. Templeton, Jacob Schuhardt, Sam Heppell
• Autumn 2022: Mark N. Templeton
• Spring 2023: Mark N. Templeton
• Spring 2022: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Winter 2022: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Autumn 2021: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Spring 2021: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Winter 2021: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Autumn 2020: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Spring 2020: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Winter 2020: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Autumn 2019: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Winter 2019: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Autumn 2018: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Spring 2018: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Winter 2018: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock
• Autumn 2017: Mark N. Templeton and Robert A. Weinstock

Accounting and Financial Analysis

This course is designed to quickly introduce you to (or, preferably, refresh your knowledge of) basic financial accounting [first two weeks of class] and then aims to aggressively increase your ability to be a highly sophisticated user of financial statements. After taking this course, you should improve your ability to determine a firm's accounting policy for a particular type of transaction and to determine how that policy choice affects its primary financial statements. You will also learn how to question whether these effects fairly reflect the underlying economics of the firm's transactions. Asking these questions involves an interplay between accounting, economics, finance, law and business strategy. You should therefore greatly improve your ability to use an accounting report as part of an overall assessment of the firm's strategy and the potential rewards and risks of dealing with the firm. It is REQUIRED that students registering for this course have a thorough exposure to accounting course work, at least at the level provided by the Booth course Financial Accounting (B30000). Fundamentals of Accounting for Attorneys (LAWS 79112 or 53260) does not provide a sufficient foundation for this course. Students who have not taken B30000, but feel they have taken an equivalent level of accounting coursework, must petition for a waiver from Professor Berger at Philip.berger@chicagobooth.edu.

This class has a final exam and a series of reaction papers. Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Philip Berger
• Spring 2022: Philip Berger
• Spring 2021: Philip Berger
• Spring 2020: Philip Berger
• Spring 2019: Philip Berger
• Spring 2018: Philip Berger

Accounting for Entrepreneurs: From Start-up through Exit

This course provides the core set of tools and strategies related to the work of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at a private, entrepreneurial company as well as to the work of those who provide funding to the company, work for the company, provide legal or other professional advice to the company, or are founders of the company. The course follows the life-cycle of a company that begins as a start-up, and covers the accounting-related financial metrics, and the managerial, financial and tax accounting issues that are centrally important for an entrepreneur in the private firm environment.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Philip Berger

Advanced Advocacy: Building and Using Your Advocate's Toolbox

The seminar will illustrate the many ways in which an argument is much more than just "the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says." We will explore not only the many forms of argument (persuasion, evidence-based, push/shove, Talmudic, misdirection), but also the many considerations necessary to win (forum, timing, deposition vs. trial, insurance coverage, leverage). We will use arguably (and inarguably) the best sources to build an advocate's toolbox: classical (Bible, Talmud); historical (Gettysburg Address, Letter from a Birmingham Jail, The Murder of William of Norwich); and popular culture (My Cousin Vinny, Monty Python's Argument Clinic). Students will use their toolbox in argument simulations, including Trolley Problem permutations, Headline Rewrite, and Would I Lie to You?

There are three double-spaced four page papers that should be 1200 words each. There is one six page, single-spaced letter that should be 3500-3600 words. Participation will be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Robert D. Cheifetz
• Spring 2022: Robert D. Cheifetz
• Spring 2021: Robert D. Cheifetz

Advanced Civil Procedure

This course examines selected topics in civil procedure with the goal of both broadening and deepening your study of the field that began in your 1L year. These topics will include some or all of the following: class actions, multi-district litigation, arbitration, electronic discovery, the federal rulemaking process, appellate jurisdiction, and forum shopping (including rules governing subject matter jurisdiction, venue, transfer, and forum non conveniens). The student's grade is based on a final examination with limited consideration of class participation. Prerequisite: Civil Procedure.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: William H. J. Hubbard
• Winter 2021: William H. J. Hubbard
• Autumn 2018: William H. J. Hubbard
• Autumn 2017: William H. J. Hubbard

Advanced Contracts

This course taught by Jed Lewinsohn will cover three topics of considerable practical and theoretical significance for contract and commercial law: Warranties, Conditions, and Third Parties. (Roughly half of the course will be devoted to the first two topics, and the remaining half to the third.) A final exam or major paper (6000-7500 words) is required. Participation may be considered in final grading. Prerequisite: Contracts.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Joseph Lewinsohn

Advanced Evidence: Key Legal Principles and Their Practical Application

This class will focus on advanced evidence principles and problems through experiential learning (learning by doing), using real-world issues that arose during a four-week trial of a case the instructor recently tried, Ramirez, et al. v. U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement, as well as a case file and selected problems from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Completion of the Law School's course on Evidence is a prerequisite for this course.

Classes will typically consist of: (1) a lecture concerning the topic(s) for that day, which will focus not only on the relevant law, but also practical considerations and practice tips and real-world anecdotes and illustrations; (2) role-playing problems in which students will argue in support of and against evidentiary objections and motions in limine, and conduct brief directs and cross-examinations laying the foundation for and opposing the admissibility of various types of evidence; and (3) feedback concerning the role-playing performances and discussion of the issues they raise.

Topics that will be covered include: the authentication and admissibility of exhibits, including laying the foundation for the admission of business records, summaries, demonstratives, and other types of exhibits; objections, motions in limine and offers of proof; identifying and overcoming hearsay objections; experts and opinion testimony, including admissibility, expert disclosures and reports, and the structure and strategy of expert directs; and impeachment and rehabilitation.

Typical assignments will include reading one or two key cases or excerpts from leading texts and preparing for the role-playing problems on the subject(s) for that class. Grades will be based on class participation and role-playing performances (70%) and three short (5-page) written assignments (10% per assignment, 30% in total).

Prerequisite: Evidence. Students should have a copy of the Federal Rules of Evidence that includes the Advisory Committee Notes.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Stephen Patton
• Spring 2022: Stephen R. Patton

Advanced Legal Research

The purpose of this seminar is to enhance students' knowledge of legal sources and to develop their ability to find the relevant law on a legal issue. The seminar will cover the basic categories of legal research in depth and with a focus on practical skills and efficiency, including statutes, administrative law, legislative history, cases, and secondary sources. As a learning outcome of the course, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct legal research and, more specifically, will expand their understanding of research resources in a variety of areas, improve their skills in using legal research tools, and develop extensive research knowledge in at least one area from their work on a final research paper. The seminar will be limited to twenty-five students with priority to third year students. To receive credit for this seminar, students must complete research assignments and projects, submit a final research paper, and participate in course meetings . Students may earn either 2 or 3 credits for this seminar depending upon the assignments and projects completed and the length of their final paper.

For two credits the research paper should be a minimum of 3500 words. For three credits the research paper should be a minimum of 6000 words.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Sheri Lewis
• Winter 2023: Scott Vanderlin
• Autumn 2023: Scott Vanderlin
• Autumn 2022: Sheri Lewis

Advanced Legal Writing

This course will prepare law students for the working world by honing writing skills for briefs, memoranda, motions, and contracts. We will discuss and practice the major principles of legal writing in plain English -- no jargon, no legalese, no anachronistic fluff. In addition to fine-tuning basic and more advanced writing skills, students will learn how to use their writing to win arguments, persuade clients, and sharpen their thinking. The class will function largely as a workshop where we analyze the impact of various writing styles. Regular attendance is essential. Through exercises and group critiques, students will learn to write more succinctly and effectively. Better writers make better lawyers. The course concludes with an eight-hour take-home examination, which determines the student's grade. Students must complete all assignments before the exam period begins. This course satisfies the Writing Project writing requirement. Legal Research and Writing is a pre-requisite.

LLM students who have taken Writing and Research in the US Legal System in the fall may not take this course.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Elizabeth Duquette
• Autumn 2023: Elizabeth Duquette

Advanced Negotiation Seminar

Negotiation skills are crucially important for lawyers in private and public practice. Just think of business deals, divorce settlements, plea bargaining or the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference. The aim of this seminar is to develop students' negotiation skills and to introduce them to cutting-edge game theoretic and psychological research on negotiation theory and management. The seminar capitalizes on the instructor's own research and experience as negotiator, mediator and arbitrator in national and international commercial conflicts. It is based on a proprietary conceptual approach to negotiation management, which has been used to train partners and associates of top-tier law firms, management consultants, business executives and policy-makers. This two-day seminar will cover problems of intuitive negotiations, negotiation analysis-especially the 'four key negotiation factors'-, negotiation dynamics and process management, including communication theory and skills, aggressive tactics and negotiation strategy. It will be taught by a combination of short interactive lectures and role-plays and other practical exercises. The seminar will be most useful to students who have already participated in some basic negotiation training. This seminar will have a final exam or paper (3,000-3,500 words). Participation may be considered in the final grading. This seminar will meet on April 19 and April 20 (Friday and Saturday) from 9am-6pm on both days.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Horst Eidenmueller

Advanced Restructuring Practice: Legal and Financial Strategies

Complex corporate restructurings will almost always involve a mix of legal, business, and financial advice. This seminar will focus on identifying practical issues faced by restructuring lawyers in connection with fundamental aspects of restructuring practice, including: (i) identifying a capital structure, capital structure problems, and their solutions; (ii) the key legal relationships between a borrower and its creditors and between the creditors themselves; (iii) what happens when a borrower is running out of cash; and (iv) the recent trend in so-called "Liability Management" transactions. Students who took LAWS 53235 Restructuring in Bankruptcy: Strategy and Tactics, may not take this class.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Ryan Dahl
• Winter 2022: Ryan Dahl
• Winter 2021: Ryan Dahl

Bioethics: From Nuremberg to Modern Times

This course explores the increasingly influential field of bioethics, which studies the ethical, legal, and social implications of biomedicine and innovation in the health sciences. Students will examine (1) the historical, sociological, public health, and legal contexts from which modern bioethics emerged as a coherent field in the mid 20th century, (2) the biomedical developments, legal engagements, and political controversies that reshaped the enterprise towards the latter part of the century, and (3) contemporary issues in bioethics and the role of law and public policy in mediating the relationship between medicine, science, and society.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Osagie Obasogie

Brief Writing and Appellate Advocacy

This course will focus on persuasive brief writing techniques with the focus on writing a federal circuit court brief based on a hypothetical problem. Students will also learn oral argument techniques and will present an appellate argument based on the class problem to a guest panel.

Evaluation will be based on the preparation of an appellate brief and the presentation of an appellate oral argument.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Brett Legner
• Autumn 2022: Brett Legner

Building Legal Change: Moving Advocacy Outside of Court

The Zealous curriculum envisions lawyers as advocates for systemic change, teaching students the foundational skills they need -- the fundamentals of communication, language, collaboration, campaigns, storytelling, and messaging -- to be effective change agents. The curriculum is designed to appeal to and accommodate students who are committed to social justice and public interest law, as well as students who are unsure about what type of law they want to practice, or if they want to practice at all. The curriculum is not based in hypotheticals. Through immersive and interactive exercises, learning experiences, discussions, creation of art and story, and skill-building sessions, the curriculum is centered around collaboratively devising strategy, message, and story to support each student's social justice issue of choice. As lawyers, we learn to advocate in the courtroom, yet there are countless opportunities for advocacy outside those four walls. Lawyers who know how to harness their advocacy skills beyond the courtroom--using powerful language and messaging strategies, reaching new audiences, collaborating effectively with communities, and leveraging media and storytelling--can influence the thinking of policymakers, social influencers, and public opinion in critical ways. These are powerful levers to drive social justice change. At a time of social and racial justice reckoning, litigators must have the skills, strategy, and knowledge to be intentional and effective advocates for the issues that animate them. That education starts here. This seminar will have substantial out-of-class work, group projects, etc. Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Alexzandria Poole, Scott Hechinger

Business Planning

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'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. The student must have taken (or be taking concurrently) Business Organizations and Corporate Tax I or receive instructor approval.

Previously:

• Winter 2023: Keith Crow and Anthony V. Sexton
• Winter 2022: Keith Crow and Anthony V. Sexton
• Winter 2020: Keith Crow and Anthony V. Sexton
• Winter 2018: Keith Crow and Anthony V. Sexton

Capital Markets Transactions and the Underwriting Process

This course will delve into the major legal and practice issues presented by major capital markets transactions conducted in the US, including initial public offerings, "shelf" offerings, private placements, offerings of Rule 144A high yield securities, the underwriting and SEC review processes, NYSE and NASDAQ governance requirements and due diligence investigations. Grades will be based on five substantial take-home written assignments (6000-9000 words combined and performed by student teams), class participation, and a final examination. Prerequisites: Corporations/Business Organizations. Securities Regulation is recommended, but not a prerequisite.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: James Junewicz

Class Action Controversies

The purpose of this seminar is to understand the rules applicable to class action litigation, the major doctrinal and policy issues that influence class action litigation, and the strategic, ethical, and practical considerations that judges, class counsel, and litigants face in class action litigation. Each week, we will address topics in class action law that bear on these issues.

Students taking the class for 2 credits will complete 2-3 reaction papers. Students taking class for 3 credits will complete a substantial writing project (6000-7500 words). Students completing the three credit option can receive writing project credit. Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Autumn 2022: Michael T. Brody
• Autumn 2021: Michael T. Brody
• Autumn 2020: Michael T. Brody
• Autumn 2019: Michael T. Brody

Constitutional Decisionmaking

Students enrolled in the seminar will work as "courts" consisting of five "Justices" each. During each of the first eight weeks of the quarter, each court will be assigned two hypothetical cases raising issues under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. All cases must be decided with opinion (concurring and dissenting opinions are permitted). The decisions may be premised on the "legislative history" of the Equal Protection Clause (materials on that history will be provided) and on any doctrines or precedents created by the "Justices" themselves. The "Justices" may not rely, however, on any actual decisions of the United States Supreme Court. The seminar is designed to give students some insight into the problems a Justice confronts in collaborating with colleagues, interpreting an ambiguous constitutional provision, and then living with the doctrines and precedents he or she creates. Enrollment will be limited to three courts. Since the members of each court must work together closely under rigid time constraints, students must sign up as five-person courts. This seminar will not have regularly-scheduled classes (except for introductory and concluding meetings), but you should not underestimate the time demands. It is a very demanding seminar. If more than three courts sign up, I will select the participating courts by lot. To be eligible for participation in the seminar, students should send me an e-mail (gstone@uchicago.edu) by tbd, including the names and e-mail addresses of all five "Justices." This seminar will not have regularly-scheduled classes (except for an introductory meeting), but you should not underestimate the time demands. It is a very demanding seminar. If more than three courts sign up, I will select the participating courts by lot and I will email you by tbd, to let you know whether your court has been selected.

Students in each court will write mock Supreme Court opinions in a series of eight hypothetical cases. On average, each student in this seminar writes opinions totaling approximately 50 single-spaced pages. SRP credit is available.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Geoffrey R. Stone
• Winter 2023: Geoffrey R. Stone
• Winter 2022: Geoffrey R. Stone
• Winter 2021: Geoffrey R. Stone
• Spring 2020: Geoffrey R. Stone
• Winter 2019: Geoffrey R. Stone
• Spring 2018: Geoffrey R. Stone

Contract Drafting and Review

This seminar will serve as an introduction to contract drafting and how such drafting differs from other types of legal writing. We will start with the basic "anatomy of a contract," discussing the meaning, use and effect of various provisions. The seminar will address not only legal drafting issues, but also how to understand a client's practical business needs in order to effectively use the contract as a planning and problem solving tool. Students will draft specific contract provisions and a complete contract, and will learn how to read, review and analyze contracts with an eye toward both legal and business risk issues. Many/most of the exercises simulate working with a fictional client. Grades will be based on class participation, a series of substantial out-of-class weekly drafting exercises, and two capstone assignments.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Michelle M. Drake
• Winter 2024: Joan Neal and Michelle M. Drake
• Spring 2023: Michelle M. Drake
• Winter 2023: Joan Neal and Michelle M. Drake
• Autumn 2023: Joan Neal and Michelle M. Drake
• Autumn 2022: Joan Neal and Michelle M. Drake

Contract Law for LL.M. Students

The materials for this course give overview of key topics in US contract law (focusing on those that are most practice relevant but difficult like interpretation and damages) but the course devotes much of its in-class time to subjects more directly relevant to the practice of contract law including: how to choose a contracting partner who can innovate, different approaches to negotiating agreements that will work well in practice, how to review and draft actual agreements (focusing on both procurement and biotechnology agreements), and how to choose the law and dispute resolution forum best suited to the transaction. Attention is also paid to how to use both legal and nonlegal sanctions and a variety of monitoring mechanism to induce contractual performance. Students will do some work individually and some in groups (both in and out of class). Grade is part class participation/group work and part individual written assignments. There is no exam. This course does not directly prepare students for the bar, although optional videos that will aid in that endeavor are provided for those who seek this type of learning.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Geoffrey R. Stone
• Autumn 2022: Lisa Bernstein

Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic

The Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic (CJJC) provides legal representation to poor children and young adults who are accused or have been convicted of delinquency and crime. The CJJC is a national leader in expanding the concept of legal representation for children and young adults to include their social, psychological, and educational needs. Students will examine the juvenile and criminal legal systems' relationship to the poor and marginalized through litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education. Students will learn a wide array of litigation skills. They will draft motions, briefs, and other pleadings in state, appellate, and federal courts. They will also interview clients and witnesses; inspect crime scenes; conduct fact investigations; participate in hearings, trials, sentencings, and post-conviction matters; and pursue alternatives to incarceration. Licensed third-year students may appear in court, argue motions and appeals, negotiate with opposing counsel, and serve as "second chairs" for trials. The CJJC also advocates for system change and for smart policies for crime and violence prevention. Students work in teams, including with the CJJC social worker and social work students, to foster collaboration and ensure continuity in representation. Participation in the CJJC includes a weekly seminar session. Students wishing to enroll are strongly encouraged to take Evidence during their second year and to take Criminal Procedure and the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop or another Trial Advocacy course. The CJJC is a full-year clinic with a preference for 3L students. Students with questions may contact Professor Erica Zunkel at ezunkel@uchicago.edu to learn more.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Herschella G. Conyers, Erica Zunkel
• Spring 2024: Herschella G. Conyers, Erica Zunkel, Craig Futterman
• Spring 2023: Herschella Conyers
• Winter 2023: Herschella Conyers
• Autumn 2022: Herschella Conyers
• Spring 2022: Herschella Conyers
• Winter 2022: Herschella Conyers
• Autumn 2021: Herschella Conyers
• Spring 2021: Herschella Conyers
• Winter 2021: Herschella Conyers
• Autumn 2020: Herschella Conyers
• Spring 2020: Herschella Conyers
• Winter 2020: Herschella Conyers
• Autumn 2019: Herschella Conyers
• Spring 2019: Herschella Conyers
• Winter 2019: Herschella Conyers
• Autumn 2018: Herschella Conyers
• Spring 2018: Herschella Conyers and Randolph Stone
• Winter 2018: Herschella Conyers and Randolph Stone
• Autumn 2017: Herschella Conyers and Randolph Stone

Criminal Procedure, Decarceration, and Transformative Advocacy

This seminar demonstrates that one dedicated lawyer has the power to change the legal system. This class surveys 21st Century decarceration movements, with a focus on efforts to reduce racial discrimination and disparities in the criminal legal system. This seminar also provides a substantive grounding in key aspects of criminal procedure, as we examine decarceration movements in the arenas of bail, sentencing, policing, jury selection, and exculpatory evidence, amongst others. We use a uniquely practical lens, exploring strategic mechanisms that legal advocates employ to drive transformation-including systemic impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and court-watching. While course material focuses on the criminal legal system, our discussions will also provide tools for those interested in system-change in other contexts. There are no prerequisites. Students taking the class for 2 credits will complete 2-3 reaction papers. Students taking the class for 3 credits will write a total of 6000-7500 words, with the option of conducting either a substantial writing project (eligible for WP or SRP credit) or a series of 4- to 5-page papers requiring outside research. Participation will be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Alison Siegler

Crisis Communication: The Lawyer's Role in Advancing Client Interests

During high-profile controversies, organizations must contend with multiple stakeholders, both inside and outside the legal system. Developments during a crisis are analyzed and influenced by employees, the media, elected officials, regulators, investors, advocacy groups and others. The collective opinion of these stakeholders - not simply the specific resolution of the legal issues - often determines the ultimate success of an organization's strategy. Individuals and organizations are often judged by these stakeholders on how well (or poorly) they responded to a crisis. Today's attorneys are often expected to go beyond their strictly "legal" responsibilities and assist the organization in protecting its reputation during these events. As Ken Frazier (CEO of Merck and its former general counsel) said: "Sophisticated clients don't want 'pure' legal advice, they want workable solutions to their problems…at the intersection of law, business, technology, politics and moral judgment. Smart clients expect their lawyers to help them find solutions." This course will explore how attorneys can provide broad crisis management advice to clients, rather than narrow legal counsel. The class will analyze the perspectives and motivations of different actors in a crisis and explain the intersection among legal issues, organizational goals and strategic communications. The course will use case studies, background readings, presentations, special guest speakers , and focused discussions to highlight the issues in effective crisis management. Students will also participate in hypotheticals and role plays where they may be asked to act as a lawyer, a crisis management advisor or the CEO as the organization determines its crisis response. The professors will also share experiences and lessons learned from their own work on high-profile matters for companies, universities, associations, and non-profit organizations. In addition to the short papers (totaling 6000-7500 words) and in-class participation, there will a small group presentation.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Roy Wentz and Tilden Katz
• Spring 2023: Roy Wentz and Tilden Katz

Digital Lawyering: Advocacy in the Age of AI

The practice of law increasingly requires the skillful navigation of a wide range of technological tools. It's no longer enough to be book smart and street smart. More and more, you also have to be byte-smart. This course helps advocates of all kinds negotiate that transition. It takes a skills-based approach to artificial intelligence. Which tools are worth using? What questions are worth asking? And how do you continue to add value to clients in a world increasingly populated by chatbots, algorithms, and a wide range of other powerful digital products? There will be a number of short in-class exercises and out-of-class assignments. Students will also be evaluated on how well they contribute to the educational experience of other people in the course. Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Patrick Barry

Divorce Practice and Procedure

This is a simulation class providing exposure to the dynamic process of representing clients in dissolution of marriage cases and issues related to them. The class will make you aware of the complexities arising when the ever-changing family unit becomes divided. Topics are covered through an evolving case, with each student in the role of a practicing lawyer. Issues include interstate and international parental kidnapping, determination of jurisdiction, domestic violence, restraining orders and injunctions, temporary and permanent parenting rights and responsibilities (custody and visitation), temporary and permanent maintenance (alimony), child support, the characterization of property and division of assets and liabilities; also, premarital and post marital agreements, ethical issues, federal tax law affecting divorce and the effects of bankruptcy. Students will discuss and argue issues not only with instructors, but also with one or more sitting Illinois Domestic Relations Court judges, as well as interacting with classmates. Readings will be drawn from case law, statutes, and court approved forms used in contested proceedings. One half of a student's grade is based on preparation for and class participation and one half on a series of six short papers related to class topics (totaling 6000-7500 words).

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Donald Schiller and Erika Wyatt
• Autumn 2021: Donald Schiller and Erika Wyatt
• Autumn 2020: Donald Schiller and Erika Wyatt
• Autumn 2019: Donald Schiller and Erika Wyatt
• Autumn 2018: Donald Schiller and Erika Wyatt
• Autumn 2017: Donald Schiller and Erika Wyatt

Editing and Advocacy

Good editors don't just see the sentence that was written. They see the sentence that might have been written. They know how to spot words that shouldn't be included and summon up ones that haven't yet appeared. Their value comes not just from preventing mistakes but from discovering new ways to improve a piece of writing's style, structure, and overall impact.

This course will teach you how to be one of those editors. You'll edit briefs. You'll edit contracts. You'll edit all kinds of legal documents. Sometimes this editing will occur during in-class exercises. Sometimes it will occur through short, weekly assignments. But always the goal will be the same: learn and practice a skill that is fundamental to becoming an excellent advocate. This class requires a series of reaction papers. Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Autumn 2022: Patrick Barry

Entrepreneurship and the Law

This seminar examines how the law and legal counsel influence innovation and entrepreneurship in the US, whether by micro-enterprises or high-growth disruptors. The seminar explores the position of the entrepreneur in society, in the economy, and in our constitutional framework, in order to analyze the entrepreneur's fundamental legal needs. We survey legal questions particular to start-ups, including strategies for structuring a business organization, financing, and protecting intellectual property. Assignments require students to research issues that apply to hypothetical and real start-ups and practice lawyerly skills like strategic planning, negotiation, drafting, and counseling. Students' grades will be based on active participation, short written assignments, some out-of-class work and group projects and a research paper. Cumulatively, the papers should total 6000-7500 words.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Elizabeth Kregor, Catherine Gryczan
• Winter 2023: Elizabeth Kregor, Catherine Gryczan
• Winter 2022: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Winter 2021: Elizabeth Kregor
• Winter 2020: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Autumn 2018: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Autumn 2017: Salen Churi, Elizabeth Kregor, and Amy Hermalik

Estate Planning and Drafting

This seminar in estate planning and drafting meets the ABA definition of an experiential course. The seminar will give students experience in drafting specific provisions of wills and trust instruments, including provisions relating to the use of class gifts, conditions of survival, and powers of appointment. The seminar also will give students the experience of drafting a will for a live client. Students will be graded on a series of experiential assignments, including the will-drafting project, and on class participation. There are no prerequisites.

Students who have taken "The Law of Future Interests" in Autumn 2021 are not eligible to enroll in this seminar.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Thomas P. Gallanis
• Spring 2021: Thomas P. Gallanis
• Spring 2020: Thomas P. Gallanis

Ethics for Transactional Lawyers

This class will focus on ethical issues faced by transactional lawyers. We will consider the role of a transactional lawyer, the various sources of guidance for transactional lawyers, the intersection of personal morality and rules-based ethics, individual and organizational practice pressures that can cause lawyers to violate ethics norms, how to weigh competing ethical obligations, and select ethics issues faced by transactional lawyers in practice (including, e.g., ethics issues arising when drafting contracts, negotiating agreements, conducting due diligence, and providing opinion letters). Grades will be based upon active class participation in discussions and simulations, plus a final paper (6000-7500 words). (Please note that this paper cannot fulfill the SRP or WP requirement.)

Exoneration Project Clinic

The Exoneration Project is a post-conviction clinical project that represents people convicted of crimes of which they are innocent. Students working in our Project assist in every aspect of representation including selecting cases, advising clients, investigating and developing evidence, drafting pleadings, making oral arguments, examining witnesses at evidentiary hearings, and appellate litigation. Through participation in our Project, students explore issues of error and inequality in the criminal justice system, including police and prosecutorial misconduct, the use of faulty scientific evidence, coerced confessions, unreliable eyewitness testimony, and ineffective assistance of counsel. The Exoneration Project is an intensive, rigorous experience designed for students who are committed to providing the best possible representation to deserving clients. Second-year students wishing to enroll in the Project are encouraged to take Evidence in their second year. Third-year students are required to complete, prior to their third year, Evidence and the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop (although we recognize that that may not always be possible and will consider appropriate alternatives). Students are strongly encouraged but not required to take Criminal Procedure I and II. Students will receive credit for the work they do in accordance with the credit rules for all other clinical programs. Given the nature of our work, students are encouraged (but not required) to enroll in our clinic for at least a year.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Winter 2024: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Spring 2023: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Winter 2023: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Autumn 2022: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Spring 2022: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Winter 2022: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Autumn 2021: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Spring 2021: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Winter 2021: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Autumn 2020: Russel Ainsworth, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Lauren Myerscough-Mueller
• Spring 2020: Joshua Tepfer, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Russel Ainsworth
• Winter 2020: Joshua Tepfer, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Russel Ainsworth
• Autumn 2019: Joshua Tepfer, Karl Arthur Leonard, and Russel Ainsworth
• Spring 2019: Tara Thompson, David Owens, and Joshua Tepfer
• Winter 2019: Tara Thompson, David Owens, Joshua Tepfer, Russell Ainsworth, and Karl Leonard
• Autumn 2018: Tara Thompson, David Owens, Joshua Tepfer, Russell Ainsworth, and Karl Leonard
• Spring 2018: Tara Thompson, David Owens, Joshua Tepfer, and Russell Ainsworth
• Winter 2018: Tara Thompson, David Owens, Joshua Tepfer, and Russell Ainsworth
• Autumn 2017: Tara Thompson, David Owens, Joshua Tepfer, and Russell Ainsworth

Federal Criminal Justice Clinic

The Federal Criminal Justice Clinic is the nation's first legal clinic devoted to representing indigent clients charged with federal felonies, pursuing impact litigation in federal court, and engaging in systemic reform of the federal criminal system with a focus on combating racial disparities.

The FCJC litigates in federal district court in Chicago, before the Seventh Circuit, and in the U.S. Supreme Court. In our district court litigation, FCJC students may have an opportunity to interview clients and witnesses; meet with clients; conduct and participate in hearings and trials; research, write, and argue motions and briefs; and participate in case investigations. FCJC students also litigate post-conviction compassionate release motions and have secured release for several clients. Students involved in appellate litigation write briefs to the Seventh Circuit and the Supreme Court and may conduct oral argument. On the reform front, students engage in legislative advocacy before Congress and have created the first federal courtwatching projects in the country.

The FCJC seminar includes skills exercises, simulations, lectures, case rounds, guest speakers, and discussions. The pre-requisites/co-requisites are Evidence and Criminal Procedure I; these courses may be taken at any time during law school. It is strongly recommended that 3L students take the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop in September 2023 and that all students take Professor Siegler's Criminal Procedure II class. The FCJC is a year-long clinic. First priority is given to 3Ls; the remaining slots go to 2Ls.

Students who want to learn more about the FCJC or who have questions about the enrollment requirements may contact Profs. Siegler, Zunkel, or Miller.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Judith P Miller, and Alison Siegler
• Winter 2024: Judith P. Miller, and Alison Siegler
• Spring 2023: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Winter 2023: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Autumn 2023: Judith P. Miller and Alison Siegler
• Autumn 2022: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Spring 2022: Alison Siegler
• Winter 2022: Alison Siegler
• Autumn 2021: Alison Siegler and Judith P. Miller
• Spring 2021: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Winter 2021: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Autumn 2020: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Spring 2020: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Winter 2020: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Autumn 2019: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Spring 2019: Alison Siegler
• Winter 2019: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Autumn 2018: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller
• Spring 2018: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and James R. DuBray
• Winter 2018: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and James R. DuBray
• Autumn 2017: Alison Siegler, Erica Zunkel, and Judith P. Miller

Federal Criminal Justice Practice and Issues

This practice-oriented course integrates instruction on federal pretrial criminal procedures and issues with student practice exercises overseen by the instructor. The course will cover federal criminal practice from investigation up to trial, utilizing examples from recent federal criminal investigations and cases. The course will provide opportunities for student performance to develop professional skills and understanding. In particular, the course will provide instruction on (i) federal investigations and related issues (including Grand Jury proceedings and witness immunity); (ii) corporate internal investigations; (iii) federal charging decisions; (iv) initial appearances following arrest and accompanying bail/detention hearings (v) discovery under the federal criminal rules; (vi) pretrial motions and practice; and (vii) plea agreements. Students will engage in periodic practice simulations related to the pretrial stages of a federal criminal case. For example, students will conduct mock witness interviews in the context of a corporate internal investigation, present motions and arguments seeking, and objecting to, pretrial detention, and present motions and argument seeking to exclude or admit evidence. The course thus will provide opportunities for oral and written advocacy focusing on federal criminal pretrial practice. Each class session will also include discussion of practical and strategic issues facing both the defense and the prosecution under real-world circumstances at each pretrial stage. A student's grade will be based on class participation and written (6000-7500 word research series) and oral performance in the simulated practice exercises. Four oral argument presentations will accompany the written papers.

Previously:

• Winter 2023: Michael Doss
• Autumn 2023: Michael Doss
• Winter 2022: Michael Doss
• Winter 2021: Michael Doss
• Winter 2020: Michael Doss
• Winter 2019: Michael Doss
• Winter 2018: Michael Doss

Fundamentals of In-House Counsel

The role of in-house counsel is both complex and complicated, and can be vastly rewarding to the attorney who understands its realities and can apply the law in a practical manner to support an enterprise and its leadership. This course will help students explore and learn the fundamentals critical to succeeding as inside counsel. Through a combination of review and discussion of influential written work of preeminent past and present in-house lawyers, discussion of case studies focused on contemporary scenarios faced by inside counsel, analysis and evaluation of risk issues in specific contracts, in-class simulations and team exercises, and guest speakers who will share their experiences and talk about their career paths, including successes and failures along the way, you will obtain an understanding of the modern view of inside counsel from a variety of diverse vantage points.

The primary focus will be on beginning to understand the critical skills necessary to prepare to succeed as in-house counsel in a large U.S. private or public company setting. We will seek to answer questions such as: How does working in-house compare and contrast to working at a law firm, what are the day-to-day challenges experienced by inside counsel and what are strategies to meet them and excel, how has the in-house counsel role evolved over time, and what does the future hold for attorneys serving as in-house counsel. From the student who aspires to one day be an in-house attorney, to the student who plans to serve in-house counsel while working at a law firm, Fundamentals of In-House Counsel will provide a multitude of candid and practical perspectives on the critical means by which the law supports today's American enterprises.

Grading will be based on in-class performance and a series of reflection papers.

Previously:

• Autumn 2022: David Zarfes

Global Human Rights Clinic

The Global Human Rights Clinic (GHRC) works alongside partners and communities to advance justice and address the inequalities and structural disparities that lead to human rights violations worldwide. The GHRC uses diverse tactics and interdisciplinary methods to tackle pressing and under-addressed human rights issues. The GHRC is constantly advancing the dual aims of advocating for important change around the world, and training the next generation of effective, ethical, creative lawyers. As part of this we seek to innovate and think not just about what the human rights field is, but what it could be and what it should be. Students in the GHRC work in project teams, and develop essential lawyering skills, including interviewing, media advocacy, cultural competency, strategic thinking, teamwork, and leadership. The clinic uses a broad range of tactics, including documentation, reporting and mixed methods factfinding; legislative and institutional reform; investigations; and litigation. The work of the GHRC varies each year but includes investigating and advancing accountability for mass atrocities, war crimes, and armed conflict, addressing the impacts of colonialism, advocating for equality and non-discrimination, and advancing socio-economic rights. Students may enroll for up to three credits in the Clinic per quarter. New students to GHRC enrolled in the J.D. program should plan to take the Clinic for three quarters for a minimum of two credits each quarter, unless they receive faculty approval prior to registration. Continuing J.D. students and LLMs may take the Clinic for any allowable amount of credits and quarters. Participation may be considered in final grading. Students who have particular language skills, especially Spanish or French highly encouraged to participate. Recommended (not required) co-requisites: Public International Law.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Anjli Parrin
• Winter 2024: Anjli Parrin
• Autumn 2023: Anjli Parrin
• Spring 2023: Anjli Parrin
• Winter 2023: Anjli Parrin
• Spring 2022: Claudia M. Flores and Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat
• Winter 2022: Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat
• Autumn 2022: Anjli Parrins
• Autumn 2021: Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat
• Spring 2021: Claudia M. Flores and Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat
• Winter 2021: Claudia M. Flores and Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat
• Autumn 2020: Claudia M. Flores and Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat

Hellenistic Ethics

The three leading schools of the Hellenistic era (starting in Greece in the late fourth century B. C. E. and extending through the second century C. E. in Rome) - Epicureans, Skeptics, and Stoics - produced philosophical work of lasting value, frequently neglected because of the fragmentary nature of the Greek evidence and people's (unjustified) contempt for Roman philosophy. We will study in a detailed and philosophically careful way the major ethical arguments of all three schools. Topics to be addressed include: the nature and role of pleasure; the role of the fear of death in human life; other sources of disturbance (such as having definite ethical beliefs?); the nature of the emotions and their role in a moral life; the nature of appropriate action; the meaning of the injunction to "live in accordance with nature". If time permits we will say something about Stoic political philosophy and its idea of global duty. Major sources (read in English) will include the three surviving letters of Epicurus and other fragments; the skeptical writings of Sextus Empiricus; the presentation of Stoic ideas in the Greek biographer Diogenes Laertius and the Roman philosophers Cicero and Seneca.

This class will begin on Tuesday, September 27 (one day before the rest of the Law classes begin). Attendance for the class is required.

Method of evaluation: A seminar paper of 6000-7500 words and an in-class presentation for the class is required.

Admission by permission of the instructor. Permission must be sought in writing by September 15.

PhD students in Philosophy, Classics, and Political theory do not need permission to enroll.

Prerequisite for others: An undergraduate major in philosophy or some equivalent solid philosophy preparation, comparable to that of first-year PhD students, plus my permission. This is a 500 level course.

Previously:

• Autumn 2022: Martha C Nussbaum

Housing Initiative Transactional Clinic

The Housing Initiative Transactional Clinic provides legal representation on complex real estate development projects to build affordable housing. Clients include nonprofit, community-based affordable housing developers and housing cooperatives. Students serve as deal lawyers, working with clients and teams of professionals -- such as financial consultants, architects, marketing professionals, property managers, and social service providers -- to bring affordable housing and mixed use development projects to fruition. Projects range from single family rehabs with budgets in the $30,000 to $75,000 range, to multi-million dollar rental and mixed use projects financed by low income housing tax credits, tax exempt bonds, TIF, and other layered subsidies. Students also counsel nonprofit clients on governance and tax issues related to their work. In addition to their client work, students meet as a group in a weekly two-hour seminar in autumn quarter, and in a weekly one-hour seminar during winter and spring quarters, to discuss the substantive rules and legal skills pertinent to real estate development transactions and to examine emergent issues arising out of the students' work. During the fall quarter seminar, returning clinic students need only attend the first hour; new students should attend for the full two hours. In the winter and spring quarters, all students should attend all the one-hour seminar sessions. Academic credit for the Housing Initiative Transactional Clinic 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.

Immigrants' Rights Clinic

The Immigrants' Rights Clinic provides legal representation to immigrant communities in Chicago, including individual representation of immigrants in removal proceedings, immigration-related complex federal litigation, and policy and community education projects on behalf of community-based organizations. Students will interview clients, develop claims and defenses, draft complaints, engage in motion practice and settlement discussions, appear in federal, state, and administrative courts, conduct oral arguments and trials, brief and argue appeals, and engage in media advocacy. In the policy and community education projects, students may develop and conduct community presentations, draft and advocate for legislation at the state and local levels, research and draft public policy reports, and provide support to immigrants' rights organizations.

Past and current projects include challenges to national security detention, a civil rights lawsuit alleging Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment challenges against state law enforcement involved in an arrest that led to deportation, Seventh Circuit appeals of removal orders, representation of asylum seekers and human trafficking victims, suing local police departments for failure to comply with immigration-related Illinois state laws, representing Afghans left behind after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and publication of the first guide to the immigration consequences of criminal convictions for criminal defense attorneys in Illinois.

The seminar will meet for two hours per week and will include classes on the fundamentals of immigration law and policy as well as skills-based classes that connect to the students' fieldwork. Both 2L and 3L students are encouraged to apply. 2Ls must enroll for 2 credits per quarter. 3Ls can enroll for 2 or 3 credits per quarter. Students are encouraged (but not required) to co-enroll in Immigration Law in the fall.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Nicole Hallett
• Winter 2024: Nicole Hallett
• Autumn 2023: Nicole Hallett
• Spring 2023: Nicole Hallett
• Winter 2023: Nicole Hallett
• Autumn 2022: Nicole Hallett

Innovation Clinic

The Innovation Clinic gives students the opportunity to counsel startups and venture capital funds on a broad range of corporate law and strategic issues, including regulatory compliance, entity formation, stock options and employee equity, privacy, employment, governance and founders' agreements, licenses, seed stage funding transactions, and commercial agreements. Students also present on such topics at the Argonne National Laboratories' Chain Reaction Innovations Incubator and at the Polsky Center. In addition to their work with the Clinic's clients and the substantive topic areas to be covered, students will have the opportunity to train in, and develop, the soft skills that separate good lawyers from highly effective lawyers in a transactional practice, such as negotiation, client management, preparedness and flexibility. Students will work with startups across a wide variety of industries and will also complete non-client related homework assignments to prepare them for client work. Students are required to enroll in the Clinic for a minimum of two consecutive quarters, and enrollment is currently capped at three consecutive quarters of participation. Students may take between 1-3 credits in any given quarter.

Students will be evaluated based on the quality of work they prepare for the Clinic's clients, how well they interact with clients and demonstrate a command of the soft skills required for effective transactional legal practice, and the volume and quality of their participation during in-class sessions.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Emily Underwood
• Winter 2024: Emily Underwood
• Autumn 2023: Emily Underwood
• Spring 2023: Emily Underwood
• Winter 2023: Emily Underwood
• Autumn 2022: Emily Underwood

Innovation Fund Associates Program Practicum

The Innovation Fund Associates ("IFA") program practicum is an avenue for law students who are accepted into the IFA program to receive course credit for their participation in lieu of the available stipend. Information regarding the IFA program can be found here: https://polsky.uchicago.edu/programs-events/innovation-fund-associates-….

Students receive 3 credits during each of the Spring and Autumn Quarters, and prepare brief response papers during each of those quarters reflecting on their experience. There is substantial training during the Winter Quarter but no credit is offered for this time. During the Spring and Autumn Quarters, in addition to the final presentation date, students should plan on meeting (1) for two to three hours every other Friday at noon for status updates, (2) on three to four additional dates that will be communicated to accepted students during the preceding quarter for trainings on topics such as patent law, FDA regulatory processes and compliance, public speaking, and other subjects relevant to the funding candidates during that cycle, and (3) two to three times per week with their teams, fund leaders, funding candidates and industry experts as part of the diligence process. There is substantial individual work outside of these meetings. Students do all coursework at the Polsky Center with potential site visits to the offices of industry experts and target companies. The approximate time commitment for the program is an average of 15 hours per week, although that may vary. Students may either take the offered stipend or course credit in any given quarter, but not both, and must be accepted into the IFA program through its normal application procedures before they are eligible to participate in the practicum.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Emily Underwood
• Spring 2023: Emily Underwood
• Autumn 2023: Emily Underwood
• Autumn 2022: Emily Underwood
• Spring 2022: Emily Underwood
• Autumn 2021: Emily Underwood
• Spring 2021: Emily Underwood
• Autumn 2020: Emily Underwood
• Spring 2020: Emily Underwood

Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship

The Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship, or IJ Clinic, provides legal assistance to low-income entrepreneurs who are pursuing the American Dream in spite of legal obstacles. IJ Clinic students develop practical skills in transactional lawyering while helping creative entrepreneurs earn an honest living, innovate, and build businesses that build neighborhoods. Students advise clients on issues such as business formation, licensing, zoning, strategic relationships, employment law, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance. Students become trusted advisors for their clients and have the opportunity to consult with clients on business developments; draft and review custom contracts; negotiate deals; research complex regulatory schemes and advise clients on how to comply; and occasionally appear before administrative bodies. Students may also work on policy projects to change laws that restrict low-income entrepreneurs. Policy work may involve legislative drafting, lobbying, and community organizing. Academic credit varies and will be 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 staff. A commitment of at least two consecutive quarters is required. Students must enroll for two credits for their first quarter in the IJ Clinic.

Evaluation is based holistically on the student's client work.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Winter 2024: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Spring 2023: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Winter 2023: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Autumn 2023: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Autumn 2022: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Spring 2022: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Winter 2022: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Autumn 2021: Elizabeth Kregor and Catherine Gryczan
• Spring 2021: Elizabeth Kregor
• Winter 2021: Elizabeth Kregor
• Autumn 2020: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Spring 2020: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Winter 2020: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Autumn 2019: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Spring 2019: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Winter 2019: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Autumn 2018: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Spring 2018: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Winter 2018: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik
• Autumn 2017: Elizabeth Kregor and Amy Hermalik

Intensive Contract Drafting Workshop

This 3-credit intensive seminar will meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 9:00am-11:30am between August 8 and August 24. Students should plan to treat the seminar like a full time job during this period - they will spend a substantial part of each afternoon on days that we have class doing written homework which is due each evening, and a part of each evening doing reading and preparation for the next day's class. The seminar will serve as an introduction to contract drafting and how such drafting differs from other types of legal writing. We will start with the basic "anatomy of a contract," discussing the meaning, use and effect of various provisions. The seminar will address not only legal drafting issues, but also how to understand a client's practical business needs in order to effectively use the contract as a planning and problem solving tool. Students will draft specific contract provisions and a complete contract, and will learn how to read, review and analyze contracts with an eye toward both legal and business risk issues. Many/most of the exercises simulate working with a fictional client. Evaluation will be based upon class participation and a series of substantial out-of-class daily drafting exercises. Students are not eligible to register if they have taken Contract Drafting and Review, Advanced Contract Skills or other similar contract drafting courses.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Emily Underwood
• Autumn 2022: Emily Underwood and Michelle M. Drake

Intensive Trial Practice Workshop

This class teaches trial preparation, trial advocacy, and strategy through a variety of teaching techniques, including lectures, demonstrations, and simulated trial exercises. Topics include opening statement, witness preparation, direct and cross examination, expert witnesses, objections at trial, and closing argument. Practicing lawyers and judges provide students with demonstrations and critiques from varied perspectives. The class concludes with a simulated jury trial presided over by sitting federal and state court judges.

This is a required class for participation in the Civil Rights-Police Accountability Clinic, the Criminal & Juvenile Justice Clinic, and the Exoneration Clinic. This class is strongly recommended for participation in the Employment Law Clinic, the Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, and the Immigrants' Rights Clinic. It is also open to all rising 3L J.D. students (no L.L.M.s), regardless of participation in any clinic. The faculty strongly recommends that students take Evidence prior to enrolling in this course. Completion of this class partially satisfies one of the requirements for admission to the trial bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Students who have taken Trial Advocacy (LAWS 67603 or LAWS 81010) or Trial Practice: Strategy and Advocacy (LAWS 91702) may not take this class.

This class is offered for approximately 5-6 hours per day in the two weeks prior to the beginning of the Autumn Quarter. Week One is Monday, September 11 through Friday, September 15. Week Two is Monday, September 18 through Friday, September 22. The final trial is scheduled for Saturday, September 23. The student's grade is based on a compilation of daily performance evaluations and performance during the simulated jury trial.

For more information regarding the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop, please email Professor Futterman at futterman@uchicago.edu.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Judith P Miller, Craig Futterman, Herschella Conyers, Erica Zunkel, Jorge Alonso
• Autumn 2022: Judith P Miller, Craig Futterman, Herschella Conyers, Erica Zunkel, Jorge Alonso

International Arbitration

This seminar provides a basic foundation in the law and mechanics of international commercial arbitration and international investment treaty arbitration. It will give students an understanding of the substantive and strategic issues that frequently confront international arbitration practitioners. The Seminar covers, among other things, the crafting of international arbitration agreements, the relative advantages and disadvantages of ad hoc UNCITRAL-Rules arbitration and institutional arbitration (e.g., ICC, LCIA, ICDR, ICSID). The seminar also addresses the rules of procedure that commonly govern international arbitration, including procedural issues that commonly arise in international arbitration, including the availability and extent of discovery, pre-hearing procedure, the presentation of evidence, and the enforcement of international arbitral awards. The Seminar also will cover the fundamentals of international investment arbitration, including the jurisdictional issues that commonly arise in investor-state arbitration and the types of treaty claims that are commonly asserted under international law. While there will be a fair amount of traditional lecture, the format of the Seminar will depend heavily upon active student participation, including a mock arbitration exercise. Students will be graded based upon the quality of their preparation for and participation in the Seminar, as well as the quality of a required paper (6000-7500 words). This Seminar will satisfy the lesser of the school's two writing requirements (WP), if substantial research and written work is completed.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Javier Rubinstein
• Autumn 2022: Javier Rubinstein
• Autumn 2021: Javier Rubinstein
• Winter 2021: Javier Rubinstein
• Autumn 2019: Javier Rubenstein
• Autumn 2018: Javier Rubinstein
• Autumn 2017: Javier Rubinstein

Jenner & Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic

The Jenner & Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic represents parties and amici curiae in cases before the United States Supreme Court and other appellate courts. Students work on all aspects of the clinic's cases -- from formulating case strategy; to researching and writing merits briefs, amicus curiae briefs, and petitions for certiorari; to preparing for oral arguments. Students also conduct research on cases that may be suitable to bring to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although the clinic's focus is the U.S. Supreme Court, the clinic may also handle cases in the United States Courts of Appeals and the Illinois Supreme Court.

The clinic is supervised by Associate Clinical Professor Sarah Konsky, Professor David Strauss, and members of the Appellate and Supreme Court Practice group at Jenner & Block. U.S. Supreme Court: Theory and Practice (LAWS 50311) is required as either a pre-requisite or co-requisite for 2L and 3L students participating in the clinic. Students who have successfully completed a course covering content comparable to the U.S. Supreme Court: Theory and Practice seminar may seek consent from Professor Konsky to waive the co-requisite requirement. Academic credit for the clinic 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.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Sarah M. Konsky, David A Strauss
• Winter 2024: Sarah M. Konsky, David A Strauss
• Spring 2023: Sarah M. Konsky, David A Strauss
• Winter 2023: Sarah M. Konsky, David A Strauss
• Autumn 2023: Sarah M. Konsky, David A Strauss
• Autumn 2022: Sarah M. Konsky, David A Strauss

Judicial Opinion Writing

Judicial opinions are the means by which judges explain their rulings to the litigants and their lawyers, and in many instances (depending largely, but not exclusively, on whether the judge is writing on behalf of a court of review) to the bar as a whole, other judges, other branches of government, and/or the public at large. For those of you planning to serve as a law clerk after graduation, opinion drafting and editing likely will comprise the lion's share of your work. For those of you planning on a career as a litigator, understanding the elements of judicial opinion writing will help you to effectively frame your arguments in your briefs and at oral argument. And for all of you, reinforcing the skills necessary to write clearly and edit wisely will serve you well whatever your future plans.

The class will begin with a careful review of the work of some well known judges, past and contemporary. The remaining sessions will proceed largely in a workshop format. For the first half of the remaining sessions, each of you will rewrite a recent, published appellate opinion that we will select. For the second half, each of you will write an appellate opinion from scratch based on a real case that we will select and that will recently have been argued. If your opinion is up for discussion for a given week, we will ask that you post it to the class site by noon on the Monday preceding the class so that we and the other students can read it. More than one student will be assigned each rewritten and original opinion, enabling the class to compare different approaches taken to the same set of problems. The point of this, as you'll see, is entirely pedagogical; it is not to turn this class into the law school equivalent of Top Chef or Project Runway. There is no single right way to construct an eminently readable and learned opinion.

Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Winter 2023: Gary Feinerman, Robert Hochman

Justice for Animals in Ethics and Law

Animals are in trouble all over the world. Intelligent sentient beings suffer countless injustices at human hands: the cruelties of the factory farming industry, poaching and trophy hunting, assaults on the habitats of many creatures, and innumerable other instances of cruelty and neglect. Human domination is everywhere: in the seas, where marine mammals die from ingesting plastic, from entanglement with fishing lines, and from lethal harpooning; in the skies, where migratory birds die in large numbers from air pollution and collisions with buildings; and, obviously, on the land, where the habitats of many large mammals have been destroyed almost beyond repair. Addressing these large problems requires dedicated work and effort. But it also requires a good normative theory to direct our efforts.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Martha C Nussbaum

Kirkland & Ellis Corporate Lab Clinic

The Kirkland & Ellis Corporate Lab provides students with a forum for working closely with legal and business teams across a range of top-tier multinational companies, leading nonprofits, private equity sponsors, venture capital funds, and entrepreneurial startups.

The primary goal of the Lab is for students to learn practical legal skills, both substantively, in terms of the corporate ""building blocks"" necessary to understand complex transactions and agreements, and professionally, in terms of implementing such knowledge efficiently and meaningfully within the context of a wide array of careers as lawyers and business leaders.

This class mirrors the real world work experience of both litigators and corporate lawyers: students will receive hands-on substantive and client-development experience and will be expected to manage and meet expectations and deadlines while exercising a high level of professionalism.

Clients will include, among others, Accenture, Allstate, A.T. Kearney, Barilla, Booth School of Business New Venture Challenge startups (Spring Quarter), Grubhub, Honeywell, IBM, John Deere, Koch Industries, Microsoft, Nike, Owens Corning, 3M, Verizon Communications, and Victoria's Secret.

Corporate Lab students will have the option to negotiate a simulated cross-border transaction opposite students of a leading foreign law school as part of the negotiation workshop component of the Corporate Lab (Autumn Quarter). Additionally, students will have the option (Winter Quarter) to work closely with small teams of Kirkland & Ellis attorneys on assignments (including for live clients), across practice groups, designed to teach strategic planning, drafting, negotiation, and business counseling skills.

Please note: (i) students are expected to remain in the Corporate Lab for a minimum of two consecutive quarters, http://www.law.uchicago.edu/corporatelab. (Reduced 2-credit option available with instructor permission.)

Previously:

• Winter 2024: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Spring 2024: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Spring 2023: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Winter 2023: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Autumn 2023: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Autumn 2022: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Spring 2022: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Winter 2022: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Autumn 2021: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Spring 2021: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Winter 2021: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Autumn 2020: David Zarfes, Josh Avratin, and Sean Z. Kramer
• Spring 2020: David Zarfes, Sean Z. Kramer, and Josh Avratin
• Winter 2020: David Zarfes, Sean Z. Kramer, and Josh Avratin
• Autumn 2019: David Zarfes, Sean Z. Kramer, and Josh Avratin

Legal Elements of Accounting

This mini-class introduces accounting from a mixed law and business perspective. It covers basic concepts and vocabulary of accounting, not so much to instill proficiency with the mechanics of debits and credits as to serve as a foundation from which to understand financial statements. The course then examines accounting from a legal perspective, including consideration of common accounting decisions with potential legal ramifications. It also analyzes throughout the reasons for and roles of financial accounting and auditing, as well as the incentives of various persons involved in producing, regulating, and consuming financial accounting information. The seminar will touch on some limitations of, and divergent results possible under, generally accepted accounting principles. Current cases, proposals, and controversies will be discussed. Attendance and participation will be very important. Grades will be based on an exam. Students with substantial prior exposure to accounting (such as students with an MBA, joint MBA/JD students, and undergraduate finance or accounting majors) may not take the course for credit. This is a short class meeting from 8:30-9:35AM January 8-12, 16-19.

You may use the 6th,7th, or 8th edition of the textbook.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: John R. Sylla
• Winter 2023: John R. Sylla
• Winter 2022: John R. Sylla
• Winter 2021: John R. Sylla
• Winter 2020: John R. Sylla
• Winter 2019: John R. Sylla
• Winter 2018: John R. Sylla

Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

In this three-credit course, we will cover the basic contours of the law governing lawyers, with a focus on lawyers' ethical and professional obligations -- to the courts, to their clients, to the public, and to each other. The goal is to leverage the students' evolving skill in "thinking like a lawyer" to help them "think like a lawyer's lawyer," recognizing ethical issues and their potential solutions. This class will have a final examination. Participation may be considered in the final grading.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Michael Lloyd, David Giles
• Spring 2023: Michael Lloyd, David Giles

Legal Profession: Ethics

This seminar addresses ethical considerations and issues encountered during the practice of law, including strategic, practical, and moral considerations with which attorneys should be familiar and have to deal. Using materials from judicial decisions, decisions of disciplinary authorities, cases, the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, articles of particular interest, and videos, we will discuss within the context of the Model Rules the ethical situations that lawyers face. There will be a particular focus on the ambiguities attendant to how to handle particularly difficult issues encountered in the practice of law and the rules and the framework to which attorneys can turn in determining how to handle those situations. Throughout the seminar, we will consider certain overarching questions, including: a. are lawyers authorized by their duties to clients to lie, b. is civility consistent with the duty of vigorous representation, c. are aspects of the practice of law beyond the rules, and d. can there be a conflict without direct adversity. This seminar will be taught as a participatory class and will use structured hypotheticals, role playing, class discussions, and class competitions. A short quarter ending presentation is required. Students will be evaluated both on the quality and extent of their participation and the presentation and on the basis of a paper of 6000-7500 words in length on a topic relating to professional responsibility chosen by and of particular interest to the student. Attendance is mandatory.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Hal Morris
• Spring 2023: Hal Morris
• Winter 2023: Hal Morris

Legal Spanish: Public Interest Law in the US

This course brings students to high-intermediate levels in reading, speaking, and listening for the practice of public interest law in the US. Learners will build proficiency around relevant topic areas so that they can read, listen, explain, present and solicit information related to rights, client history / interviews, procedural language, legal actions, etc. The focus is on building proficiency through communication and strategy instruction. The final exam is a proficiency test offered through the University of Chicago Office of Language Assessment that yields a certificate and a proficiency rating on students' transcripts. The course will follow the College's academic calendar with flexibility for law students' schedules so that they finish the courses on the same schedule as other law school courses. Pre-requisite: one year of university-level Spanish or equivalent.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Darcy Lear
• Spring 2023: Darcy Lear
• Spring 2022: Darcy Lear
• Spring 2021: Darcy Lear

Litigation Laboratory

This seminar brings lawyers and students together to analyze and develop aspects of the lawyers' ongoing cases. It allows good lawyers to use law students for collaborative help with open cases, and allows law students to learn litigation skills by working with the lawyers. A different lawyer with a different case will participate in most class sessions. Typically the lawyer will provide materials for the students to review before the class. During the class, students will discuss, argue, debate, and work with the lawyer to solve hard issues. Following each class, students will complete written materials analyzing and evaluating the problem. In classes when lawyers are not included, students also learn practical litigation skills through various advocacy exercises. Students will be graded based on active participation and their written materials.

Student evaluations will be base on: Observation of participation during class; substantial written submissions (5-6 of each of two types: (1) "pre-class questionnaire" answers (requiring students to prepare for class by reading materials, sometimes researching, providing initial views) and (2) "post-class memos" (written submissions taking various forms depending on the material worked on in class -- may be a research memo, witness outline, draft complaint, draft motion, draft opinion, etc.)); evaluation of formal argument of a motion (as the "final"). The class requires substantial out-of-class work, often individual but sometimes collaborative.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Catherine M Masters, James A. Clark
• Winter 2023: Catherine M Masters and James A. Clark
• Winter 2022: Catherine M. Masters, and James A. Clark
• Winter 2021: Catherine M. Masters and James A. Clark
• Winter 2020: Catherine M. Masters and James A. Clark
• Winter 2019: Catherine M. Masters and James A. Clark
• Winter 2018: Catherine M. Masters and James A. Clark

Marketing and Monetization

The generation, management and growth of revenues is a top priority for most companies, fueled by the deluge of customer data and the analytic tools to analyze them. This course will teach you marketing frameworks to build effective monetization strategies. The course will also cover customer data analysis tools to test and measure marketing effectiveness and return on marketing spending. Students will learn how to design and assess a firm's pricing strategy. They will also study the interplay between marketing and sales, and the evaluation of advertising media. Finally, students will learn about emerging AI technologies and the new opportunities for monetization. This course will require substantial out-of-class work.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Sanjog Misra, Jean-Pierre Dube

Modern Professional Responsibility

This course satisfies the professional responsibility requirement. It will explore a variety of legal, ethical and real-world issues commonly faced by modern lawyers in their daily practices. It will address the relationship among the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the Restatement of the Law Governing Lawyers and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. It will also focus on several noteworthy legal malpractice and securities claims in which lawyers and major law firms were involved. Course materials will include traditional texts and statutory materials, hypotheticals drawn from unreported matters, as well as the results of mock trials and jury focus groups in which the conduct of lawyers was at issue. This class has a final exam. Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Mark Nozette
• Autumn 2022: Mark Nozette
• Autumn 2021: Mark Nozette
• Autumn 2020: Mark Nozette
• Autumn 2019: Mark Nozette
• Autumn 2018: Mark Nozette
• Autumn 2017: Mark Nozette

Moot Court Boot Camp

Moot Court Boot Camp has two components: oral advocacy and writing. The oral advocacy component will cover the basics of appellate oral argument. Students will prepare and present oral arguments in two different cases before the two Boot Camp faculty members, experienced appellate practitioners who will provide constructive feedback. The writing component will cover the basics of appellate brief writing. Students will prepare a short written assignment that will be discussed and revised during class. We will focus on strong issue statements, effective headings, and powerful conclusions. We'll also explore sentence structure and word choice. Students will learn to define themes in their writing and carry them into the oral argument. Focused writing, we will learn, promotes successful oral advocacy, and vice versa. This class, which will meet from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, and from 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, is an optional supplement to the Hinton Moot Court Competition. One credit will be granted for the weekend course and an additional credit will be granted upon completion of two judged arguments as part of the Hinton Moot Court Competition. There are no prerequisites, but good faith participation in the Hinton Moot Court Competition is required. Students may receive credit for this class only once during their Law School career. The Moot Court Boot Camp is open to J.D. students only and is graded Pass/Fail. This section of the class meets over the weekend of October 7/8.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Sanjog Misra, Jean-Pierre Dube
• Autumn 2023: Madeline Ward Lansky and Rebecca Margaret Taylor Horwitz
• Autumn 2022: James Whitehead and Stephen R Patton,
• Autumn 2020: Madeline Ward Lansky and Rebecca Margaret Taylor Horwitz
• Autumn 2019: Sharon R. Fairley
• Autumn 2018: Sarah Konsky and James Whitehead
• Autumn 2017: Elizabeth Duquette and Lisa M. Noller

Negotiation

This class will introduce the theory and practice of negotiation 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. Grading will be based on a series of reaction papers and out of classroom work. You may not take this class if you have taken LAWS 81003 Intensive Negotiation Seminar. Participation may be considered in final grading

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Jesse H. Ruiz
• Spring 2023: Jesse H. Ruiz
• Spring 2022: Jesse H. Ruiz
• Spring 2021: Jesse H. Ruiz
• Spring 2020: Jesse H. Ruiz
• Spring 2019: Jesse H. Ruiz
• Spring 2018: Jeffrey Leslie and Jesse H. Ruiz

Partnership Taxation

A study of the principles of the taxation of partnerships (including entities classified as partnerships) and their partners, with an emphasis on the tax consequences of the formation, operation and dissolution of partnerships. Matters discussed include contributions to and distributions from partnerships, the treatment of leverage, allocations of partnership income and loss to the partners, capital accounts, disguised sales, transfers of partnership interests, liquidations, taxation of service partners, mixing bowls, anti-abuse rules and other aspects of partnership taxation. Pre-requisite: Introductory Income Tax. This class has a final exam. Participation may be considered in final grading.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Maher Haddad
• Spring 2023: Maher Haddad

Poverty and Housing Law Clinic

This clinic is a multi-quarter clinic spanning over winter and spring quarters. In his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, Matthew Desmond concludes that evictions are not a symptom of poverty. They are a direct cause. In the Poverty and Housing Law Clinic, you will learn how to defend low-income tenants (many of whom have disabilities or young children, or are victims of domestic violence) against unwarranted evictions. Many of these tenants live within just a few miles of The Law School. You will attend weekly lectures about subsidized housing programs, eviction actions, trial practice, housing discrimination, the intersection between domestic violence and housing, and the extensive and often misunderstood connection between criminal law and subsidized housing. Most important, you will work twelve hours a week in the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago, the Midwest's largest provider of free civil legal services to the poor. Every year more than 30,000 people call Legal Aid Chicago seeking our assistance. And every year the Housing Practice Group represents hundreds of tenants facing eviction from the only housing they can afford. We also help clients preserve their tenant-based rental assistance, gain admission to subsidized housing developments, force landlords to make necessary repairs, and challenge illegal discrimination.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Dennericka Brooks
• Winter 2024: Dennericka Brooks
• Spring 2023: Dennericka Brooks
• Winter 2023: Dennericka Brooks
• Spring 2022: Lawrence Wood
• Winter 2022: Lawrence Wood
• Spring 2021: Lawrence Wood

Presence: Performance Skills for Lawyers

This seminar examines the performance, improvisation, storytelling, and engagement skills necessary to help you excel as an attorney and beyond. Through a series of interactive group exercises and games, performance theory discussions, and individual assignments, we will explore how to tap into your unique, authentic voice to positively engage others and better represent your clients. By the end of this course, you should be able to speak and move with more freedom and presence, listen fully and authentically, and joyfully connect with audiences of all sizes and backgrounds. No prior performance or public speaking experience necessary; just bring your full attention, sense of curiosity and play, and commitment to developing your communication skills.

This is a performance skills course, so in-class participation, discussion, and presentations will be the basis for evaluation. There may also be short written assignments, but the bulk of grading will be based on in-class performance.

Previously:

• Autumn 2022: Paul S. Marchegiani
• Autumn 2021: Paul S. Marchegiani
• Autumn 2020: Paul S. Marchegiani

Pretrial Litigation: Strategy and Advocacy

This seminar will focus on litigation skills and strategies that are instrumental in the day-to-day life of any litigator. Indeed, a lawyer will use many of the same strategies and skills in both the pretrial and trial phases of litigation. Students will learn how to evaluate and develop fact and legal theories; develop themes; take and defend fact and expert witness depositions; draft pretrial motions; and use various tactics to prepare a case for trial. The seminar will use a variety of learning methodologies, including lectures and mock exercises. The student's grade will based on performance in mock exercises and a series of research papers (6000-7500 words). In addition to the Monday class sessions, each student must sign up for an additional 90-minute session in early February to participate in one of the class's mock deposition exercises. The lecturer consults with the students when scheduling these sessions.

Previously:

• Winter 2023: Barry Fields
• Winter 2022: Barry Fields
• Winter 2021: Barry Fields
• Winter 2020: Barry Fields
• Winter 2019: Barry Fields

Private Equity Transactions: Issues and Documentation

This seminar will examine from a practical perspective the issues and documentation arising in a typical private equity acquisition transaction. The seminar will follow this type of transaction through its various stages and provide students in-depth and practical experience with common deal issues and drafting contractual provisions to address those issues. The goal of the seminar is to help prepare students for the practical aspects of being a deal lawyer. Coursework will include reading acquisition contracts, cases and legal commentators and weekly written assignments (contract drafting and issue analysis). Grades will be based on class participation and a series of reaction papers (totaling 6000-7500 words). Business Organizations and Contracts are prerequisites.

Students seeking a waiver to prerequisites based on experience or other factors must email the instructors. A waiver will allow you to place a bid, but does not guarantee you a seat. This is a remote class, but it will have 3 to 4 required in-person sessions.

Previously:

• Winter 2024: Stephen Ritchie and Mark Fennell
• Winter 2023: Stephen Ritchie and Mark Fennell

Professional Responsibility and the Legal Profession

This course provides a systematic treatment of the law of professional responsibility. The central goal is to understand how the rules of professional conduct guide lawyer conduct and shape the legal profession. Toward that end, we will begin by examining the lawyer's key duties to clients in different contexts, paying attention to differences based on what lawyers do (advocacy, advising, negotiating), where they work (law firms, corporate legal departments, government legal offices, public interest organizations, legal services groups), and what types of clients they represent (individuals, classes, organizations). Drawing upon case materials and problems, our emphasis will be on how lawyers define and resolve ethical problems while promoting their public duties in the real world of practice. We will pay special attention to the two foundational rules of professional responsibility (client confidentiality and conflicts of interests) and will consider how market changes and demographic shifts impact the lawyer's role. Overall, the course is designed to help you think critically about the challenges you will face in the profession you are about to enter and how you can best meet them in the pursuit of your professional goals. This class has a final exam. Participation may be considered in the final grading.

Students who have already fulfilled the Professional Responsibility requirement may not take this class.

Previously:

• Autumn 2022: Anna-Maria Marshall
• Autumn 2023: Anna-Maria Marshall

Professional Responsibility: Representing Business Organizations

This seminar concerns the rules governing the legal profession and practical applications of the rules, with a focus on representing business organizations. Materials will include the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, a coursebook, and supplemental materials (e.g., articles, cases, ethics opinions). Grades will be based on a final exam, a 3,000 word paper, and a class participation component. This seminar will fulfill the professional responsibility requirement.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: John C Koski, Kristen Hazel, Thomas Kuhns
• Winter 2024: John C Koski, Daniel Feeney and Kerry Miller
• Winter 2023: John C Koski, Daniel Feeney and Brant Weidner
• Spring 2023: John C Koski, Dawn Canty, Kerry Miller, Thomas Kuhns, Kristen Hazel, Daniel Feeney and Brant Weidner
• Winter 2022: Daniel Feeney, Brant Weidner, and John C. Koski
• Winter 2021: Daniel Feeney, John C. Koski, and Brant Weidner
• Winter 2020: Daniel Feeney, John C. Koski, and Brant Weidner
• Winter 2019: Daniel Feeney

Prosecution and Defense Clinic

The Prosecution and Defense Clinic is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system through: (1) a 2-quarter seminar taught by a former Assistant United States Attorney and a career criminal defense attorney; and, (2) a clinical placement in either a prosecutor's office or public defender's office. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with the legal procedures and issues which arise in a typical criminal case as well as ethical and other social justice issues (such as race and poverty) routinely considered by all criminal justice attorneys and courts. The clinic will provide students with a unique combination of substantive criminal law and procedure, ethics, trial practice (through participation in courtroom exercises built around federal criminal cases), and hands-on experience through a clinical placement.

Each student in the clinic is responsible for securing a field placement and participating in a pre-screened placement program with a federal or state prosecutor or defender office for the winter and spring quarters (January through May). Field placements will be formally supervised by coordinators within each program's office, and the faculty instructors will monitor the student's substantive work and performance in conjunction with the field placements. Students must comply with the placement's requirements regarding hours and assignments, which will be considered part of the course grade. In the placements, students may be expected to research substantive criminal law issues, draft affirmative and responsive pleadings and memos, interview witnesses and clients, assist lawyers with court hearings and where permitted (and with an appropriate 711 license), appear in court under the supervision of practicing attorneys.

Students receive up to 7 credits for the course.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Lisa M. Noller and Molly Armour
• Winter 2023: Lisa M. Noller and Molly Armour
• Winter 2022: Lisa M. Noller and Molly Armour
• Spring 2020: Lisa M. Noller and Molly Armour
• Winter 2020: Lisa M. Noller and Molly Armour
• Spring 2018: Lisa M. Noller and Molly Armour
• Winter 2018: Lisa M. Noller and Molly Armour

Public Speaking for Lawyers

This interactive workshop explores the public speaking skills necessary to help you excel as an attorney and beyond. Through a series of group exercises and games, performance theory discussions, and individual assignments, we will explore how to tap into your unique, authentic voice to positively engage others and better represent your clients. By the end of this course, you should be able to speak and move with more freedom and presence, listen fully and authentically, and joyfully connect with audiences of all sizes and backgrounds. No prior performance or public speaking experience necessary; just bring your full attention, sense of curiosity and play, and willingness to use and share your voice.

Previously:

• Autumn 2023: Paul Marchegiani

Restructuring in Bankruptcy: Strategy and Tactics

This experiential seminar focuses on strategy and tactics in restructuring financially stressed and distressed companies. We will use a case study to illustrate the dynamics of advising boards of directors regarding fiduciary duties, stakeholder negotiations, and complex legal issues facing troubled companies. The seminar alternates between a interactive learning session and an experiential session where students prepare and present to a mock board of directors or management of a financially distressed company. Grades will be based 75% on the in-class presentations, 10% on class participation, and 15% on a 10-15 page client memorandum.

Prerequisite: Bankruptcy (recommended but not required). Students who have taken LAWS 53492 Advanced Restructuring Practice: Legal and Financial Strategies, may not take this class.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Chad Husnick
• Spring 2021: Chad J. Husnick
• Winter 2019: Chad J. Husnick

The Role and Practice of the State Attorney General

All 50 States and the District of Columbia have an Attorney General, each of whom enjoys broad discretion over a range of legal issues. This seminar will address the institutional role of these officials, including their status within their respective state systems and their relationship to the federal government. The course will also address a host of critical and often controversial areas-including civil rights, criminal justice, consumer fraud, and environmental regulation-where state Attorneys General have come to play a leading role on the local and national stage.

Students will be graded based on class participation and a final paper (6000-7500 words).

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Lisa Madigan and Michael Scodro
• Spring 2023: Lisa Madigan and Michael Scodro
• Spring 2022: Lisa Madigan and Michael Scodro
• Spring 2021: Lisa Madigan and Michael Scodro
• Spring 2020: Michael Scodro and Lisa Madigan

Strategic Considerations in Securities and Corporate Governance Litigation

This seminar will introduce students to the most important strategic considerations that lawyers encounter in today's highly sophisticated financial services litigation. The litigators (and corporate lawyers) who concentrate in this area must function in an environment where the stakes are high, leverage is critical, and "victory" is defined by the client, not the court. Accordingly, this seminar examines the critical questions faced in virtually every financial services litigation matter including: (1) which is the most favorable venue for this litigation, including consideration of how legal principles vary jurisdiction by jurisdiction; (2) how does Directors and Officers Liability insurance impact the litigation, itself; (3) strategic considerations relating to the composition of the board and use of special litigation committees; (4) how dispositive motions can be used to, at a minimum, best frame and limit the litigation; (5) how derivative and class certification mechanisms can be used to narrow or defeat claims; (6) how to use the timing and positioning of mediation to produce a favorable result for the client; (7) who of your pool of potential experts should be identified, on what topics, and when to maximize chances of success; and (8) what is jury research and what role does it play in making thematic and settlement decisions. To further the student experience, we will supplement our sessions by bringing some of the nation's top practitioners in fields like jury research, D&O insurance, mediation and/or damage analysis to share their years of expertise drawn from real world situations. Grading will be based on class participation and two relatively short papers (totaling 3000-3500 words) which will focus on discrete topics covered in class and in the reading assignments. Each paper will count for approximately 30% of your grade, and the remaining 40% will be based on class participation.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Steven B. Feirson and Joni S. Jacobsen
• Spring 2022: Steven B. Feirson and Joni S. Jacobsen
• Spring 2021: Steven B. Feirson and Joni S. Jacobsen
• Spring 2020: Steven B. Feirson and Joni S. Jacobsen
• Spring 2019: Steven B. Feirson and Joni S. Jacobsen
• Spring 2018: Steven B. Feirson and Joni S. Jacobsen

Strategies and Processes of Negotiations

Increasingly negotiation is part of the day-to-day life of managers. The aim of this class is to make students more effective negotiators. Students should leave the class with (1) a structured approach for preparing for and thinking about negotiations; and (2) a refined set of skills for carrying out negotiations. A central part of the class is an extensive set of negotiation simulations. These simulations take students through a variety of negotiations: single and multiple issue; two-negotiator and multiple-negotiator (coalitional); and internal (within organization) and external. In addition, the class includes a number of cases. Lectures, readings, and structured analytical exercises supplement the simulations and cases.

Student evaluation is based on: class participation; 3 reflection reports; problem sets; prep notes; final paper.

Previously:

• Winter 2023: George Wu

Structuring Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Entrepreneurial Transactions

Course covers tax, legal, & economic principles applicable to series of interesting, complex, current entrepreneurial transactions, utilizing venture capital (VC) or private equity (PE) financing, including (1) new business start-up, (2) growth-equity investment in existing business enterprise, (3) leveraged buyout of private or public company (including going-private transaction), (4) use of both double-tax C corp and flow-through single-tax S corp, partnership, or LLC for variety of VC or PE financed transactions, (5) devising equity-based exec comp program, (6) PE financed restructuring or workout (in or out of bankruptcy) for troubled over-leveraged enterprise and utilizing troubled corp's NOL post-restructuring, (7) exit scenarios for successful VC or PE financed enterprise (such as IPO, series of SEC rule 144 stock sales, sale of company, or merger of company into larger enterprise), & (8) forming VC, PE, or LBO fund.

Substantive subjects include federal income tax, federal securities regulation, state corp, partnership, & LLC law, federal bankruptcy law, fraudulent conveyance law, & other legal doctrines, as well as accounting rules (for exec comp and acquisition accounting) & practical structuring issues (including use of common & preferred stock, subordinated or mezzanine debt, convertible debt & preferred stock, warrants, options, & substantial-risk-of-forfeiture stock), all reviewed in transactional context, with discussion of policy underpinnings & likely future evolution.

No specific prerequisites, but introductory income tax strongly recommended, entity taxation desirable, & knowledge of corp law, securities regulation, bankruptcy, & accounting helpful. However, course book & course book appendix contain sufficient discussion & supplemental material so student can (with careful reading) adequately comprehend these topics. Grade based on final examination.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Keith Crow, Mike Carew
• Spring 2023: Stephen Ritchie and Mike Carew
• Spring 2022: Stephen Ritchie and Mike Carew
• Spring 2021: Stephen Ritchie and Mike Carew
• Spring 2020: Jack Levin and Donald Rocap
• Spring 2019: Jack Levin and Donald Rocap
• Spring 2018: Jack Levin and Donald Rocap

Trial Advocacy

This class will focus on the trial phases of civil litigation. Simulated trial problems designed to promote knowledge of the litigation process and to afford individual experience in selected phases of trial practice will be employed to familiarize students with pragmatic tactical issues and solutions. Written trial materials will be used and instruction will by lecture, demonstration, and exercise (including a mini-trial). Students who have taken the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop (LAWS 67503) may not take Trial Advocacy (LAWS 67603). An understanding of the Federal Rules of Evidence is preferred but not a prerequisite. Recommended prerequisite: Evidence (not required). Final grades will be based on class participation, performance during courtroom exercises and the mini-trial, and one or more written assignments. If students wish to earn 3 credits, they will also be required to submit a 4500 word researched trial brief in connection with the final trial.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Jay Cohen
• Spring 2022: Jay Cohen
• Spring 2021: Erica Zunkel, Jorge Alonso, Craig Futterman, Herschella Conyers, and Judith P. Miller
• Spring 2019: Jay Cohen
• Spring 2018: Jay Cohen

U.S. Supreme Court: Theory and Practice

This seminar will provide an in-depth look at the U.S. Supreme Court, with particular emphasis on the skills required to practice successfully in that forum. Students will not only discuss the Court as an institution, but they will also hone skills needed to navigate the certiorari process and to brief and argue before the Court. In addition to class participation, students will be graded on a legal brief (generally 4500-6000 words in length) and a moot court presentation.

Previously:

• Autumn 2022: Sarah M. Konsky and Michael Scodro
• Autumn 2021: Sarah M. Konsky and Michael Scodro
• Autumn 2020: Sarah M. Konsky and Michael Scodro
• Autumn 2019: Sarah M. Konsky and Michael Scodro
• Autumn 2018: Sarah M. Konsky and Michael Scodro
• Autumn 2017: Sarah M. Konsky and Michael Scodro

Workshop: Legal Scholarship

This workshop is designed for students (including JSDs and LLMs) who are considering an academic career as well as those who want to improve their public speaking and written expression skills. It may be taken for a full year as a course (every other week in W and S) or only in the fall quarter as a seminar. In the fall young scholars from around the world present works in progress and students write reaction papers and question them as the faculty does in other workshops. As we discuss what does and does not work in these papers and presentations, students will get a clear sense of the types of topics that lead to good papers by young scholars, how good scholarship is structured, and how to give an engaging and clear presentation. In the Winter and Spring students write an original piece of legal scholarship or revise a previously written paper for publication. The goal of the workshop is to create a learning community that will provide students with the type of scholarly atmosphere the faculty here enjoys. Students enrolled for the year will be expected to conduct themselves as they would if they were junior faculty members at a top law school, reading and commenting on the work of their peers. Optional lunches to discuss writing will be held throughout the year in the same format as the Faculty Round Table.

The FALL ONLY version is graded on the basis of short reactions papers and class participation, the full year version grade depends on the written paper (6000-7500 words) and its presentation as well. The full year version may fulfill the WP or the SRP.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Lisa Bernstein
• Winter 2024: Lisa Bernstein
• Autumn 2022: Lisa Bernstein
• Winter 2023: Lisa Bernstein
• Spring 2023: Lisa Bernstein
• Autumn 2023: Lisa Bernstein

Writing and Research in the U.S. Legal System

In this seminar, international LLM students learn research and writing skills essential to the practice of U.S. law. Students learn how to use these skills to win arguments, persuade clients and sharpen their own thinking. We discuss and practice the major principles of legal writing in plain English - no jargon, no legalese. The class functions largely as a workshop where we apply multiple research techniques and analyze the impact of various writing styles. Students meet individually with the instructor throughout the course. Regular class attendance is mandatory. Students must complete all assignments before the take-home examination, which determines the student's grade. This class is open only to LLM students and satisfies the legal research and writing prerequisite for the New York Bar exam. This class will have a final exam. Students cannot take this class and Advanced Legal Writing.

Previously:

• Spring 2024: Lisa Bernstein
• Autumn 2022: Elizabeth Duquette and Ariel A. Erbacher
• Autumn 2021: Elizabeth Duquette and Ariel A. Erbacher
• Autumn 2020, Elizabeth Duquette and Ariel A. Erbacher
• Winter 2020, Elizabeth Duquette and Scott Vanderlin
• Autumn 2019, Elizabeth Duquette and Margaret Schilt
• Winter 2019, Elizabeth Duquette and Margaret Schilt
• Autumn 2018, Elizabeth Duquette and Margaret Schilt
• Winter 2018, Elizabeth Duquette and Margaret Schilt
• Autumn 2017, Elizabeth Duquette and Margaret Schilt

Writing for the Judiciary

This seminar is designed to closely replicate the actual responsibilities of a law clerk to a United States Supreme Court Justice. The first class will take the form of an interview. Prospective clerks will face a range of questions designed to test their approach to statutory and constitutional interpretation while gauging their familiarity with pending, recent, and seminal cases. (You will all be hired!) In subsequent classes, clerks will: (1) circulate and review cert-pool memos for actual, pending petitions for writs of certiorari. These memos help the full Court determine which cases to hear on the merits; (2) review merits briefs and write a bench memo to assist your Justice at oral argument and at Conference (where the Justices meet to resolve argued matters); (3) draft a judicial opinion assigned to your Justice (which may well entail a judgment or legal reasoning the clerk does not agree with); and (4) lead class discussion and debate for the cert-pool and merits cases for which the clerk took primary responsibility. Over the course of the seminar, each clerk will write three cert-pool memos, one bench memo, and one opinion.

The seminar is aimed at students who have or seek a state or federal clerkship and those with a possible interest in clerking for a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. A firm background in constitutional law is strongly recommended, and your open-minded Justice seeks applicants with a wide array of political and jurisprudential perspectives. Grades will be based on a combination of draft opinions, class participation, cert-pool memos, and bench memos. Interested students should email their resume to Adam Mortara with the subject line: Writing for the Judiciary, no later than noon on February 23 at adam@mortaralaw.com.

Previously:

• Spring 2023: Bernstein Adam Mortara and Ashley Keller