Course Schedule

Science and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and provide some of humanity’s best hopes for addressing a variety of social, political, and even existential problems. This seminar considers the ways in which different legal regimes and proposed reforms to legal regimes, including IP laws, might help or hinder innovation and scientific progress. Assigned readings will include background material on IP as well as articles by leading scholars. Each student will be expected (1) to participate in class discussion; (2) to complete short writing assignments of about 125 to 250 words that respond to assigned readings; (3) to write a term paper to satisfy the seminar writing requirement; (4) to provide written comments on a classmate’s draft term paper; and (5) to make an in-class presentation of the student’s own paper project. Neither technical training nor any specific course is a prerequisite.

This writing seminar examines resolution of disputes arising from transnational business transactions. Participants will be introduced to the development and operation of arbitration as a mechanism for resolving disputes and applicable U.S., international, and foreign laws, rules, and conventions relating to institution of arbitration, arbitration procedures, and enforcement of awards. Also considered are national jurisdiction over parties, the obtaining of evidence, and the enforcement of judgments internationally, as well as dispute resolution in dealings with foreign governments. Multiple cross-border lawsuits over the same dispute, forum shopping, and forum non conveniens are among the other subjects addressed. In addition to procedural matters, we may discuss the extraterritorial applicability of U.S. regulatory laws (antitrust, securities, RICO, etc.) and their role in transnational litigation. Students who have already taken Professor Westbrook's International Business Litigation or another International Litigation course may not take this seminar.

This writing seminar examines resolution of disputes arising from transnational business transactions. Participants will be introduced to the development and operation of arbitration as a mechanism for resolving disputes and applicable U.S., international, and foreign laws, rules, and conventions relating to institution of arbitration, arbitration procedures, and enforcement of awards. Also considered are national jurisdiction over parties, the obtaining of evidence, and the enforcement of judgments internationally, as well as dispute resolution in dealings with foreign governments. Multiple cross-border lawsuits over the same dispute, forum shopping, and forum non conveniens are among the other subjects addressed. In addition to procedural matters, we may discuss the extraterritorial applicability of U.S. regulatory laws (antitrust, securities, RICO, etc.) and their role in transnational litigation. Students who have already taken Professor Westbrook's International Business Litigation or another International Litigation course may not take this seminar.

This writing seminar examines resolution of disputes arising from transnational business transactions. Participants will be introduced to the development and operation of arbitration as a mechanism for resolving disputes and applicable U.S., international, and foreign laws, rules, and conventions relating to institution of arbitration, arbitration procedures, and enforcement of awards. Also considered are national jurisdiction over parties, the obtaining of evidence, and the enforcement of judgments internationally, as well as dispute resolution in dealings with foreign governments. Multiple cross-border lawsuits over the same dispute, forum shopping, and forum non conveniens are among the other subjects addressed. In addition to procedural matters, we may discuss the extraterritorial applicability of U.S. regulatory laws (antitrust, securities, RICO, etc.) and their role in transnational litigation. Students who have already taken Professor Westbrook's International Business Litigation or another International Litigation course may not take this seminar.

This writing seminar examines resolution of disputes arising from transnational business transactions. Participants will be introduced to the development and operation of arbitration as a mechanism for resolving disputes and applicable U.S., international, and foreign laws, rules, and conventions relating to institution of arbitration, arbitration procedures, and enforcement of awards. Also considered are national jurisdiction over parties, the obtaining of evidence, and the enforcement of judgments internationally, as well as dispute resolution in dealings with foreign governments. Multiple cross-border lawsuits over the same dispute, forum shopping, and forum non conveniens are among the other subjects addressed. In addition to procedural matters, we may discuss the extraterritorial applicability of U.S. regulatory laws (antitrust, securities, RICO, etc.) and their role in transnational litigation. Students who have already taken Professor Westbrook's International Business Litigation or another International Litigation course may not take this seminar.

This seminar surveys international humanitarian law, also known as the international law of armed conflict. We will study such topics as the regulation of various means and methods of warfare, the treatment of war victims (such as POWs and civilians), the application of the law of war to non-state actors (such as terrorist organizations and corporations), and various enforcement mechanisms (such as international criminal tribunals and US military commissions).

This seminar surveys international humanitarian law, also known as the international law of armed conflict. We will study such topics as the regulation of various means and methods of warfare, the treatment of war victims (such as POWs and civilians), the application of the law of war to non-state actors (such as terrorist organizations and corporations), and various enforcement mechanisms (such as international criminal tribunals and US military commissions).

This seminar surveys international humanitarian law, also known as the international law of armed conflict. We will study such topics as the regulation of various means and methods of warfare, the treatment of war victims (such as POWs and civilians), the application of the law of war to non-state actors (such as terrorist organizations and corporations), and various enforcement mechanisms (such as international criminal tribunals and US military commissions).

This seminar surveys international humanitarian law, also known as the international law of armed conflict. We will study such topics as the regulation of various means and methods of warfare, the treatment of war victims (such as POWs and civilians), the application of the law of war to non-state actors (such as terrorist organizations and corporations), and various enforcement mechanisms (such as international criminal tribunals and US military commissions).

This seminar surveys international humanitarian law, also known as the international law of armed conflict. We will study such topics as the regulation of various means and methods of warfare, the treatment of war victims (such as POWs and civilians), the application of the law of war to non-state actors (such as terrorist organizations and corporations), and various enforcement mechanisms (such as international criminal tribunals and US military commissions).

International Petroleum Transactions is essentially a subject in international business that is taught in the context of the petroleum and energy industries. The book that will be assigned examines location of world resources, ownership of mineral rights, dispute resolution, assessing political risk, the types of contracts used in this industry (concessions, production sharing, participation, and service contracts), financial products, and environmental issues. The first four sessions of the seminar will cover parts of the book to provide some background. However, the goal of the course is to write a 25-35 page paper with over 120 footnotes and with over 30 sources in a topic related to international petroleum transactions. Students will need to find a topic within the first two weeks, prepare an outline, a first draft, and a final draft that will be due on the last day of final examinations. Students will also need to prepare a 20 minute presentation that will be delivered to the class during the last four weeks of the course. The paper will count 80%, the presentation will count 10%, and class participation (including attendance) will count 10%. The class is reserved to 10 JD students and 5 LLM students. There are no prerequisites for this seminar.

International Petroleum Transactions is essentially a subject in international business that is taught in the context of the petroleum and energy industries. The book that will be assigned examines location of world resources, ownership of mineral rights, dispute resolution, assessing political risk, the types of contracts used in this industry (concessions, production sharing, participation, and service contracts), financial products, and environmental issues. The first four sessions of the seminar will cover parts of the book to provide some background. However, the goal of the course is to write a 25-35 page paper with over 120 footnotes and with over 30 sources in a topic related to international petroleum transactions. Students will need to find a topic within the first two weeks, prepare an outline, a first draft, and a final draft that will be due on the last day of final examinations. Students will also need to prepare a 20 minute presentation that will be delivered to the class during the last four weeks of the course. The paper will count 80%, the presentation will count 10%, and class participation (including attendance) will count 10%. The class is reserved to 7 JD students and 7 LLM students. There are no prerequisites for this seminar.

Sports, whether mere individual physical exercise, simple competitive games, or national/international competition, often intersect with human rights law. Owing to sport’s long tradition of independence and autonomy, national and international jurisdictions only intervene in a limited way in sporting affairs.  This does not mean, however, that there are not questions to be asked, particularly when it comes to protecting international human rights. In fact, sport relies on a rules-based system in all its facets, including athletes, fans, workers, volunteers and local communities, as well as governments, businesses large and small, the media and sports bodies. This seminar examines and unpacks human rights standards and legal commitments to show how human rights are impacted by sporting events or sport activity. The class will address issues such as the human rights of athletes, the basic right to participate in sport and physical activity, remedies for victims of human rights abuses tied to major global sporting events; discrimination against women, LGBT people and persons with disabilities in sport; campaigns against racism and apartheid in sports; the existence of disciplinary systems in the sports movement and the growing number of situations and cases of potential or actual clashes between the running of competitions and human rights standards (e.g. individuals rights in the context of anti-doping, corruption, and match-fixing). In particular, the seminar will discuss cases decided by human rights courts, such as the European and Inter-American Courts of Human Rights (ECHR), and specialized sports arbitration mechanisms, notably the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Sports, whether mere individual physical exercise, simple competitive games, or national/international competition, often intersect with human rights law. Owing to sport’s long tradition of independence and autonomy, national and international jurisdictions only intervene in a limited way in sporting affairs.  This does not mean, however, that there are not questions to be asked, particularly when it comes to protecting international human rights. In fact, sport relies on a rules-based system in all its facets, including athletes, fans, workers, volunteers and local communities, as well as governments, businesses large and small, the media and sports bodies. This seminar examines and unpacks human rights standards and legal commitments to show how human rights are impacted by sporting events or sport activity. The class will address issues such as the human rights of athletes, the basic right to participate in sport and physical activity, remedies for victims of human rights abuses tied to major global sporting events; discrimination against women, LGBT people and persons with disabilities in sport; campaigns against racism and apartheid in sports; the existence of disciplinary systems in the sports movement and the growing number of situations and cases of potential or actual clashes between the running of competitions and human rights standards (e.g. individuals rights in the context of anti-doping, corruption, and match-fixing). In particular, the seminar will discuss cases decided by human rights courts, such as the European and Inter-American Courts of Human Rights (ECHR), and specialized sports arbitration mechanisms, notably the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Sports, whether mere individual physical exercise, simple competitive games, or national/international competition, often intersect with human rights law. Owing to sport’s long tradition of independence and autonomy, national and international jurisdictions only intervene in a limited way in sporting affairs.  This does not mean, however, that there are not questions to be asked, particularly when it comes to protecting international human rights. In fact, sport relies on a rules-based system in all its facets, including athletes, fans, workers, volunteers and local communities, as well as governments, businesses large and small, the media and sports bodies. This seminar examines and unpacks human rights standards and legal commitments to show how human rights are impacted by sporting events or sport activity. The class will address issues such as the human rights of athletes, the basic right to participate in sport and physical activity, remedies for victims of human rights abuses tied to major global sporting events; discrimination against women, LGBT people and persons with disabilities in sport; campaigns against racism and apartheid in sports; the existence of disciplinary systems in the sports movement and the growing number of situations and cases of potential or actual clashes between the running of competitions and human rights standards (e.g. individuals rights in the context of anti-doping, corruption, and match-fixing). In particular, the seminar will discuss cases decided by human rights courts, such as the European and Inter-American Courts of Human Rights (ECHR), and specialized sports arbitration mechanisms, notably the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Sports, whether mere individual physical exercise, simple competitive games, or national/international competition, often intersect with human rights law. Owing to sport’s long tradition of independence and autonomy, national and international jurisdictions only intervene in a limited way in sporting affairs.  This does not mean, however, that there are not questions to be asked, particularly when it comes to protecting international human rights. In fact, sport relies on a rules-based system in all its facets, including athletes, fans, workers, volunteers and local communities, as well as governments, businesses large and small, the media and sports bodies. This seminar examines and unpacks human rights standards and legal commitments to show how human rights are impacted by sporting events or sport activity. The class will address issues such as the human rights of athletes, the basic right to participate in sport and physical activity, remedies for victims of human rights abuses tied to major global sporting events; discrimination against women, LGBT people and persons with disabilities in sport; campaigns against racism and apartheid in sports; the existence of disciplinary systems in the sports movement and the growing number of situations and cases of potential or actual clashes between the running of competitions and human rights standards (e.g. individuals rights in the context of anti-doping, corruption, and match-fixing). In particular, the seminar will discuss cases decided by human rights courts, such as the European and Inter-American Courts of Human Rights (ECHR), and specialized sports arbitration mechanisms, notably the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Sports, whether mere individual physical exercise, simple competitive games, or national/international competition, often intersect with human rights law. Owing to sport’s long tradition of independence and autonomy, national and international jurisdictions only intervene in a limited way in sporting affairs.  This does not mean, however, that there are not questions to be asked, particularly when it comes to protecting international human rights. In fact, sport relies on a rules-based system in all its facets, including athletes, fans, workers, volunteers and local communities, as well as governments, businesses large and small, the media and sports bodies. This seminar examines and unpacks human rights standards and legal commitments to show how human rights are impacted by sporting events or sport activity. The class will address issues such as the human rights of athletes, the basic right to participate in sport and physical activity, remedies for victims of human rights abuses tied to major global sporting events; discrimination against women, LGBT people and persons with disabilities in sport; campaigns against racism and apartheid in sports; the existence of disciplinary systems in the sports movement and the growing number of situations and cases of potential or actual clashes between the running of competitions and human rights standards (e.g. individuals rights in the context of anti-doping, corruption, and match-fixing). In particular, the seminar will discuss cases decided by human rights courts, such as the European and Inter-American Courts of Human Rights (ECHR), and specialized sports arbitration mechanisms, notably the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The law and policies that govern the internet touch on all aspects of our digital ecosystem. As lawyers, you can expect to engage with these issues whether you are interested in corporate law, litigation, or regulatory law. This course is intended to be a primer on the core legal frameworks that govern the internet, including those that were not designed with the internet in mind, but must still adapt to the changing technology landscape.

There is no prior knowledge required for this course. We will review tech fundamentals in the beginning of the course, going over the origins of the internet, how it was built (tubes are not involved), why it was built, and how it has changed over time (Web 1.0, Web 2.0, Web 3.0). You will gain familiarity with technical concepts such as code, algorithms, protocols, servers, open-source, the backbone, hashes, etc.

We will review the regulatory bodies at the state, federal, and international levels that govern the internet and the different — and at times conflicting — roles they play. We will consider issues such as net neutrality, internet speech and Section 230, encryption, cybersecurity, data privacy, and intermediary liability, among other things.

Grades will be based on: 30% class participation,* 15% 1,000 word paper, 20% 1,500 word paper, 35% 4,000 word paper.

*It is important to me and the ethos of the class that all individuals feel equally capable of engaging with the material and gaining value from the discussions. Therefore, if any individual is concerned with the class participation portion of the grade for personal reasons, I encourage them to reach out privately and we can work to establish an alternative grading mechanism.

This seminar explores the intersection of Judaism, Jews, and international human rights law, examining how Jewish teachings, values, and traditions shape perspectives on human dignity, social justice, and ethical responsibility. It will analyze challenges and opportunities for Jewish law, Jews, and Israel in engaging with contemporary human rights discourse. Topics include antisemitism, discrimination, law as a political tool, state-social movement dynamics, and biases in international human rights law.

As a survey course, it covers subjects that could warrant full-semester study. The syllabus includes provocative readings that offer critical insights into the role of law, the strengths and limitations of human rights approaches, and Israel’s place in the international system and Jewish Diaspora life. Readings will include Jewish texts, contemporary sources, and international legal documents.

Students will gain knowledge of Jewish and human rights law while critically reflecting on whether Jewish historical experiences—such as antisemitism, exile, and the Holocaust—offer unique perspectives on human rights advocacy. The course encourages philosophical inquiry into ethics and law, examining how Jewish traditions intersect with modern human rights concerns. Ultimately, it provides a framework for understanding this relationship and contributing to contemporary debates from both Jewish and human rights law perspectives.

Various sports can be seen as comprising distinct legal systems. Each sport, after all, has its own set of rules, many of which are written and some of which are unwritten. Sports thus present an array of issues that are worthy subjects for legal analysis. And since each sport has its own set of rules, sports are a ripe subject for comparative law analysis. We can look at how similar issues are addressed across different sports. 

Some issues present questions that are readily identifiable as legal in nature. The writing of a particular rule (say, what is a “catch” in football?  in baseball?) requires legal skills. More generally, how should the rule makers decide whether a standard be used (e.g., unnecessary delay) as opposed to a more objective measure (e.g., 25 seconds to serve in tennis); or whether a rule should include a state of mind requirement? What should the standard of review be for replay officials? Should replay even be allowed? If so, when? Should officials be given discretion (like prosecutors) in whether to call a penalty? Should the rules be applied at the end of the game the same as at the beginning?

Other issues are not so obvious. Rule violations have consequences (e.g., runner advances a base, five-yard penalty, free throw). Is it helpful to think of these as the cost of an infraction (think, breach of contract) or a sanction (think, criminal law)? What turns on this? Should a sport employ a no-harm, no-consequence regime or impose a cost/sanction regardless of whether there is any harm (e.g., free throw after a made shot in basketball)? How do/should we think about gamesmanship, cheating, and sportsmanship? Should there be rules about the use of performance-enhancing drugs? If so, what is a performance-enhancing drug? And there’s lots more.

Grades for the seminar will be based on class presentations, participation in class discussion, and a substantial written paper.

Various sports can be seen as comprising distinct legal systems. Each sport, after all, has its own set of rules, many of which are written and some of which are unwritten. Sports thus present an array of issues that are worthy subjects for legal analysis. And since each sport has its own set of rules, sports are a ripe subject for comparative law analysis. We can look at how similar issues are addressed across different sports. 

Some issues present questions that are readily identifiable as legal in nature. The writing of a particular rule (say, what is a “catch” in football?  in baseball?) requires legal skills. More generally, how should the rule makers decide whether a standard be used (e.g., unnecessary delay) as opposed to a more objective measure (e.g., 25 seconds to serve in tennis); or whether a rule should include a state of mind requirement? What should the standard of review be for replay officials? Should replay even be allowed? If so, when? Should officials be given discretion (like prosecutors) in whether to call a penalty? Should the rules be applied at the end of the game the same as at the beginning?

Other issues are not so obvious. Rule violations have consequences (e.g., runner advances a base, five-yard penalty, free throw). Is it helpful to think of these as the cost of an infraction (think, breach of contract) or a sanction (think, criminal law)? What turns on this? Should a sport employ a no-harm, no-consequence regime or impose a cost/sanction regardless of whether there is any harm (e.g., free throw after a made shot in basketball)? How do/should we think about gamesmanship, cheating, and sportsmanship? Should there be rules about the use of performance-enhancing drugs? If so, what is a performance-enhancing drug? And there’s lots more.

Grades for the seminar will be based on class presentations, participation in class discussion, and a substantial written paper.

Various sports can be seen as comprising distinct legal systems. Each sport, after all, has its own set of rules, many of which are written and some of which are unwritten. Sports thus present an array of issues that are worthy subjects for legal analysis. And since each sport has its own set of rules, sports are a ripe subject for comparative law analysis. We can look at how similar issues are addressed across different sports. 

Some issues present questions that are readily identifiable as legal in nature. The writing of a particular rule (say, what is a “catch” in football?  in baseball?) requires legal skills. More generally, how should the rule makers decide whether a standard be used (e.g., unnecessary delay) as opposed to a more objective measure (e.g., 25 seconds to serve in tennis); or whether a rule should include a state of mind requirement? What should the standard of review be for replay officials? Should replay even be allowed? If so, when? Should officials be given discretion (like prosecutors) in whether to call a penalty? Should the rules be applied at the end of the game the same as at the beginning?

Other issues are not so obvious. Rule violations have consequences (e.g., runner advances a base, five-yard penalty, free throw). Is it helpful to think of these as the cost of an infraction (think, breach of contract) or a sanction (think, criminal law)? What turns on this? Should a sport employ a no-harm, no-consequence regime or impose a cost/sanction regardless of whether there is any harm (e.g., free throw after a made shot in basketball)? How do/should we think about gamesmanship, cheating, and sportsmanship? Should there be rules about the use of performance-enhancing drugs? If so, what is a performance-enhancing drug? And there’s lots more.

Grades for the seminar will be based on class presentations, participation in class discussion, and a substantial written paper.