Course Schedule

This course will be taught entirely online via Zoom.

Transactional Practice Skills: Doing Deals introduces students to the skills that lawyers—in particular, junior lawyers—will need in transactional practice in a modern “biglaw” firm. In this course, students will experience critical aspects of what it is like to be a junior associate on a transactional “deal team” as well as get a “behind the curtain” view on life as a transactional biglaw associate. Throughout the course, students will gain experience as both buy-side and sell-side counsel using various assignments and exercises as part of a mock semester-long transaction. Students will represent their client(s) from the transaction’s earliest stages through signing. Through the lens of the transaction, we will focus on understanding and manifesting the client’s business objectives, performing and communicating the findings of due diligence, drafting and revising documents and honing the soft skills (such as internal and external client communication and appropriate time and deadline management) that are necessary for a student to become a successful junior associate. During the semester, students will interact with practicing attorneys and mock clients in-person and via teleconference to walk through documents and receive feedback, which they will use to revise documents or modify their approach to various issues, much as associates do every day in firms.

This course examines real commercial contracts: promissory notes, agreements by companies to merge, agreements not to compete, and the like. We’ll focus on mechanisms that such contracts use to distribute risk. The course requires close reading of documents that are complex and often long. During Part I of the course, homework will be due twice weekly; during Parts II and III, homework will be due once weekly. There will be a mid-term writing assignment (anonymous and ungraded) and a final exam.

This course focuses on real contracts with real risks.  During Part I of the course, homework will be due twice weekly.  During Part II and Part III of the course, homework will be due weekly.  There will be a mid-term writing assignment (ungraded).  I may periodically review your homework assignments.

We will study a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  These agreements are commonly used for financing.  A prominent local law firm has provided materials for our use in class.  We will also study a merger agreement, an asset acquisition agreement and a joint venture agreement.  The merger, joint venture and asset acquisition agreement were prepared by committees of the American Bar Association.  We will also study a confidentiality agreement, non-compete agreement, a waiver of liability and several other commonly used agreements.  Finally, we will study an intellectual property license. 

Many of these documents are lengthy.  We will study them in detail, particularly the liabilities in each agreement.  This course could also be called "everything you always wanted to know about commercial liabilities, but were afraid to ask."  However, we do not study commercial terms, such as profit.  

Prerequisite: First year torts and first year contracts.  

This course focuses on real contracts with real risks.  During the course we will study a guaranty, a promissory note, a deed of trust and an assignment.  These are commonly used agreements in financing.  A prominent local law firm has provided these materials for our use in class.  We will also study a merger agreement, an asset acquisition agreement and a joint venture agreement.  The merger, joint venture and asset acquisition agreement were prepared by committees of the American Bar Association  ("ABA").  We will also study a confidentiality agreement, non-compete agreement, a waiver of liability and several other commonly used agreements.  Finally, we will study an intellectual property license.  

This course highlights the liabilities in each agreement.  This course could also be called "everything you always wanted to know about commercial liabilities, but were afraid to ask."  However, we do not study commercial terms, such as profit.   

Prerequisite: First year torts and first year contracts.   Business Associations will also be helpful, but is not a prerequisite. 

Please note, the three documents provided by the ABA are over 750 pages long total.  These three documents are usually well-represented on the final exam.  The ABA documents are also heavily commented by the drafters.  In addition to the ABA documents, we study several other documents that are lengthy and dense.  So, it is important that you come to each class well-prepared.  

This course focuses on real contracts with real risks.  During the course will study a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  These agreements are commonly used for financing.  A prominent local law firm has provided materials for our use in class.  We will also study a merger agreement, an asset acquisition agreement and a joint venture agreement.  The merger, joint venture and asset acquisition agreement were prepared by committees of the American Bar Association.  We will also study a confidentiality agreement, non-compete agreement, a waiver of liability and several other commonly used agreements.  Finally, we will study an intellectual property license.  Many of these documents are lengthy.  We will study them in detail, particularly the liabilities in each agreement. 

This course does not focus on commercial matters, such as profit/loss.  

Prerequisite: First year torts and first year contracts.  

This course focuses on real contracts with real risks.  During the course will study a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  These agreements are commonly used for financing.  A prominent local law firm has provided materials for our use in class.  We will also study a merger agreement, an asset acquisition agreement and a joint venture agreement.  The merger, joint venture and asset acquisition agreement were prepared by committees of the American Bar Association.  We will also study a confidentiality agreement, non-compete agreement, a waiver of liability and several other commonly used agreements.  Finally, we will study an intellectual property license.  This course highlights the liabilities in each agreement.  

Prerequisite: First year torts and first year contracts.  

Transactions focuses on real contracts with real risks.  During the course will study a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  We will also study a merger agreement, an asset acquisition agreement and a joint venture agreement.  Time permitting, we will also study a confidentiality agreement, non-compete agreement, a waiver of liability and several other commonly used agreements.  This course includes a significant writing component.  

Prerequisite: First year torts and first year contracts.  

Transactions focuses on real contracts with real risks.  We will study a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  In the second half of the course, we will study a merger agreement, a joint venture agreement and an asset acquisition agreement.  Time permitting, we may also review several articles from current headlines ("ripped from the headlines.")  We will also consider negotiations, with a particular emphasis on the importance of statements made during negotiations. 

Prerequisites: first year torts and first year contracts.  

Transactions will focus on real contracts with real risks including a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  We will also review a merger agreement and an asset acquisition agreement.  Time permitting, we will also review a joint venture agreement.

Prerequisite: First year Torts and first year Contracts.  

This course is about real contracts with real risks and how to mitigate those risks.  We will study agreements related to financing, including a guaranty, a note, and a deed of trust.  We will also study a merger agreement, a joint venture agreement and perhaps a purchase agreement.  Finally, we will also study major cases related to contract formation.  Time permitting, we may also study material taken from current articles in the media.  

 Prerequisite: first year torts and contracts.  

Transactions will focus on real contracts with real risks including a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  We will also review a merger agreement and an asset acquisition agreement.  Time permitting, we will also review a joint venture agreement.

Prerequisite: First year Torts and first year Contracts.  

This course will be taught entirely online via Zoom.

Transactions will focus on real contracts with real risks including a guaranty, a promissory note and a deed of trust.  We will also review a merger agreement and an asset acquisition agreement.  Time permitting, we will also review a joint venture agreement.

Prerequisite: First year Torts and first year Contracts.  

This course will be taught entirely online via Zoom.

This course surveys environmental law in the United States from its roots in the common law, to the explosion of legislation and regulation that emerged in the 1970's, and through to regulatory efforts to address climate change today. Beyond giving students a solid foundation in navigating the major laws that govern protection of the environment and public health, the course will introduce students to the regulatory state. We will examine the ways in which courts, Congress, and agencies sometimes work together and sometimes act at cross purposes in developing and implementing environmental policies. The course will also consider the disparate perspectives that inform environmental programs--ethical values, economics, and science--and how conflicts between them can lead to surprising compromises in statutory and regulatory outcomes. The course surveys four major pollution statutes, with a particular emphasis on laws regulating air and water pollution and the laws governing the commercial use and remediation of hazardous substances. The course casebook incorporates regular discussion problems and will be supplemented by four required quizzes scheduled during the semester. Students completing this course will be well-positioned to take one or more advanced environmental law courses; although, it is not a prerequisite for enrollment in any of them.

This course surveys environmental law in the United States from its roots in the common law, to the explosion of legislation and regulation that emerged in the 1970's, and through to regulatory efforts to address climate change today. Beyond giving students a solid foundation in navigating the major laws that govern protection of the environment and public health, the course will introduce students to the regulatory state. We will examine the ways in which courts, Congress, and agencies sometimes work together and sometimes act at cross purposes in developing and implementing environmental policies. The course will also consider the disparate perspectives that inform environmental programs--ethical values, economics, and science--and how conflicts between them can lead to surprising compromises in statutory and regulatory outcomes. The course surveys four major pollution statutes, with a particular emphasis on laws regulating air and water pollution and the laws governing the commercial use and remediation of hazardous substances. The course casebook incorporates regular discussion problems and will be supplemented by four required quizzes scheduled during the semester. Students completing this course will be well-positioned to take one or more advanced environmental law courses; although, it is not a prerequisite for enrollment in any of them.

This course surveys environmental law in the United States from its roots in the common law, to the explosion of legislation and regulation that emerged in the 1970's, and through to regulatory efforts to address climate change today. Beyond giving students a solid foundation in navigating the major laws that govern protection of the environment and public health, the course will introduce students to the regulatory state. We will examine the ways in which courts, Congress, and agencies sometimes work together and sometimes act at cross purposes in developing and implementing environmental policies. The course will also consider the disparate perspectives that inform environmental programs--ethical values, economics, and science--and how conflicts between them can lead to surprising compromises in statutory and regulatory outcomes. The course surveys four major pollution statutes, with a particular emphasis on laws regulating air and water pollution and the laws governing the commercial use and remediation of hazardous substances. The course casebook incorporates regular discussion problems and will be supplemented by four required quizzes scheduled during the semester. Students completing this course will be well-positioned to take one or more advanced environmental law courses; although, it is not a prerequisite for enrollment in any of them.

This course surveys environmental law in the United States from its roots in the common law to the explosion of legislation and regulation that emerged in the 1970's and continues through the present. Beyond gaining basic competence in navigating the major laws that govern environment and public health protection, the course will introduce students to the regulatory state. We will examine the ways in which courts, Congress, and agencies sometimes work together and sometimes act at cross purposes in developing and implementing regulatory programs. The course will also consider the disparate inputs that inform environmental programs--values, economics, and science--and how conflicts over these inputs can lead to surprising compromises in statutory and regulatory outcomes. The course will survey six major statutes, with particular emphasis on laws regulating air and water pollution and the laws protecting endangered species and public resources. The course will incorporate several case studies (e.g., climate change regulation, habitat conservation planning, market-based regulatory regimes) as a complement to the topics addressed in the casebook. Students completing the Survey course will be well-positioned to take one or more advanced environmental law courses, although the Survey course is not a prerequisite for enrollment in any of them. Students who have already taken an advanced or an analogous survey course in environmental law may not enroll in this introductory Survey course.

This course will be taught entirely online via Zoom.

This course surveys environmental law in the United States from its roots in the common law to the explosion of legislation and regulation that emerged in the 1970's and continues through the present. Beyond gaining basic competence in navigating the major laws that govern environment and public health protection, the course will introduce students to the regulatory state. We will examine the ways in which courts, Congress, and agencies sometimes work together and sometimes act at cross purposes in developing and implementing regulatory programs. The course will also consider the disparate inputs that inform environmental programs--values, economics, and science--and how conflicts over these inputs can lead to surprising compromises in statutory and regulatory outcomes. The course will survey six major statutes, with particular emphasis on laws regulating air and water pollution and the laws protecting endangered species and public resources. The course will incorporate several case studies (e.g., climate change regulation, habitat conservation planning, market-based regulatory regimes) as a complement to the topics addressed in the casebook. Students completing the Survey course will be well-positioned to take one or more advanced environmental law courses, although the Survey course is not a prerequisite for enrollment in any of them. Students who have already taken an advanced or an analogous survey course in environmental law may not enroll in this introductory Survey course.

This course introduces international LL.M. students to the concepts of law fundamental to, and the legal institutions operating within, the United States legal system. Designed as a comprehensive overview, the course will cover key aspects of the U.S. legal system, including the U.S. Constitution and the functions and procedures of civil and criminal courts, and introduce key concepts and principles of the law of contracts, torts, and property in the United States. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on comparing and contrasting U.S. legal principles with those of students' home jurisdictions, facilitating a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between legal systems. Guest speakers, case studies, and practical exercises will complement traditional lectures, providing students with a comprehensive and practical foundation in U.S. law. This fall course is required for LL.M. students with a foreign law degree, although those with a law degree from a common law country may request a waiver. Exchange students may petition to enroll in the class on a space available basis.

This course introduces international LL.M. students to the concepts of law fundamental to, and the legal institutions operating within, the United States legal system. Designed as a comprehensive overview, the course will cover key aspects of the U.S. legal system, including the U.S. Constitution and the functions and procedures of civil and criminal courts, and introduce key concepts and principles of the law of contracts, torts, and property in the United States.

Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on comparing and contrasting U.S. legal principles with those of students' home jurisdictions, facilitating a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between legal systems. Guest speakers, case studies, and practical exercises will complement traditional lectures, providing students with a comprehensive and practical foundation in U.S. law.

This fall course is required for LL.M. students with a foreign law degree, although those with a law degree from a common law country may request a waiver. Exchange students may petition to enroll in the class on a space available basis.

This course introduces international LL.M. students to the concepts of law fundamental to, and the legal institutions operating within, the United States legal system. The course will include an overview of the U.S. Constitution and of the functions and procedures of civil and criminal courts. This fall course is required for LL.M. students with a foreign law degree, although those with a law degree from a common law country may request a waiver. Exchange students may petition to enroll in the class on a space available basis.

This short course will take a tour of the U.S. Supreme Court’s institutional history from its earliest days—back when Supreme Court Justices had to travel the countryside to hold trials and were required by law to stay in public lodgings—up to the present, where Justices exercise enormous and momentous power.  Over four sessions, we will explore how the Court has evolved over 230 years from a small and weak institution into one of the dominant forces in American law and society.  We will focus on topics including the following, in each instance tracing the development from the Court’s early history to its modern incarnation: 

• the obligations of a Supreme Court Justice and the annual cycle of the Court’s work;
• how ordinary Americans have seen or interacted with the Court throughout its history;
• how the Court has handled (or mishandled) politicized moments;
• the Justices with the greatest impact in transforming the Court into what it is today;
• the kinds of cases the Court takes, and why;
• how the Court conducts oral arguments;
• how the Court reaches its decisions internally and communicates them externally;
• how Presidents have chosen Justices, and how the Senate has responded;
• how Justices have interacted with their colleagues and their staff;
• how Justices have departed the bench;and
• other related topics, including any that might be of special interest to the students in the class.  

We will end the course with a look forward to the challenges yet to come.  The instructors are both former U.S. Supreme Court clerks who both have argued cases before that Court and who both are currently serving judges, one on the Fifth Circuit and the other on the Texas Supreme Court.  The chief learning objectives include developing a deeper appreciation for the Supreme Court’s history and the way the Court has influenced and been influenced by larger American society.  Ultimately, this course aims to give future lawyers insight into how and why the Supreme Court functions the way that it does and to empower them to place the Court’s work product in greater historical context.