Course Descriptions
Core Courses
- Fundamentals Of U.S. Law I: Contracts
- Fundamentals Of U.S. Law II: Civil Procedure
3 units
This course is designed to introduce foreign-trained lawyers to the process of U.S. civil litigation, focusing on such topics as procedural posture, the sequence of events in pre-trial and trial practice, and standards of appellate review. The course is intended will provide students with skills necessary to read and analyze American judicial decisions. The course will be run using the Socratic method. Students are expected to participate in class discussions and will be called on at random. Each week will include one session per week of detailed review of the week in class, focusing on strengthening academic skills necessary for effective participation and course management.
- Introduction To U.S. Law & Methods I: U.S. Legal System
2 units
This is the first in a sequence of two courses that introduce international students to distinctive aspects of U. S. law and methods, part of what is covered in the mandatory first year common law subjects. Rather than mastery of legal rules, the goal is to learn how law is made, found and enforced in the United States. The objective is to learn partially through the resolution of legal problems, by assuming the role of a U.S. lawyer handling hypothetical cases related to, but significantly distinct from, case precedent. Methods instruction covers court systems; sources of law and how to use them to resolve legal problems, especially opinions of “common law” courts of the various states;
- Introduction To U.S. Law & Methods II: Legal Writing
1 unit
This skills course introduces students to effective formats and style for written communication with U.S. educated lawyers and avoidance of plagiarism and exam-taking in U.S. law schools. In written comments and personal conferences as well as in class, professors emphasize prediction of probable court holdings through the analysis and synthesis of judicial decisions and statutes as well as the use of fact argument and analogy.
- Professional Responsibility
3 units
The goal of this course is to help prepare students for the ethical dilemmas they will face as practicing lawyers. The course will examine the nature and types of lawyer regulation, client-attorney relationships, confidentiality rules, conflicts of interest, duties to courts, adversaries and third parties, client solicitation and billing, and access to legal services. The course will address the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the California Rules of Professional Conduct, relevant sections of the California Business and Professions Code, and will also consider ethical duties arising under common law and other sources of authority. Most of the classes will focus on the skills of identifying and solving the ethical dilemmas lawyers face in practice and on the professional values of providing competent legal representation, improving the legal profession, and promoting justice and fairness. Regular class attendance and participation are required.
- Business Associations
2 units
This course is a survey of the law of business associations, emphasizing corporations and issues and problems relating to corporate governance. The course will cover publicly and closely held corporations, the organization of business associations, the distribution of power and control between management and shareholders, with focus on the fiduciary duties of directors and officers. In this regard we will explore the developing notions of fiduciary duties to shareholders and other stakeholders. The course will explore the rapidly evolving nationalization of corporate governance standards and its implications. The Course will further focus on practical application of the material by applying the fundamentals of corporate organization through collaborative class exercises. Students may use laptops during this class. The final grade will be based on a final examination, although the professor reserves the right to consider class participation.
- Intellectual Property Law and Practice
3 units
This intellectual property law and practice course combines an overview of patents, trademarks, and copyrights with a focus on early stage issue recognition, planning and response. Specific topics will include patent searches, patentability opinions, business name selection, business product/ service/domain name selection, and copyright registration. Instruction will include lecture, case studies, simulations and practical problems. Regular attendance and preparation are essential. The majority of the course grade will be based on a written final examination.
- Negotiation
1 unit
The course will emphasize learning the skills of negotiation by simulations, lectures, and exercises in which students will negotiate and watch their classmates and experts negotiate. Class members will conduct at least three negotiations during the course – a sales contract, a retainer agreement between an attorney and a client, and a complex multi-party dispute. In addition to the simulations and discussion of the readings, there will be instruction on drafting agreements and individualized advice about further steps to improve negotiation skills.
- International Business Transactions
2 units
Cross-border business transactions are the mainstay of the modern global economy, and very few transactions can be negotiated or performed without due consideration of implications that may arise in such an international environment. Accordingly, understanding of the legal aspects of private transactions carried out across national borders can be indispensable to the modern legal practice. This two unit course will provide a survey of such issues, including transnational sales, cross-border operations (including branch offices and subsidiaries), international business combinations (including mergers and joint ventures), and the role of international law (including treaties and international organizations such as the WTO and IMF). A series of problems will be used to explore the dynamics of planning, negotiating, creating and executing cross-border transactions. The course grade will be based on an in-classroom final examination, which will consist primarily of short essay questions, and class participation. The final will be open book. Although not required, it would be helpful to have taken or be taking International Law.
- Torts
3 units
Tort law seeks to remedy civil wrongs that result in harm to person or property. The class will focus on basic concepts such as the intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and products liability. Students will analyze case law to explore the factors relevant to specific torts, the resulting liability for intentional or accidental injuries to persons or property, and the public policy behind tort policy in the United States.
*Courses are subject to change.
More About @WashULaw
3 units
This course is designed to introduce foreign-trained lawyers to U.S. contracts. The course will be run using the Socratic method. Students are expected to participate in class discussions and will be called on at random. In addition to learning principles behind U.S. theories of contractual obligation, the course is intended to provide instruction in “how to succeed” in a US law school class. Each week will include one session per week of detailed review of the week in class, focusing on strengthening academic skills necessary for effective participation and course management.
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