Course Schedule

This course will explore the doctrine, policy, and theory of trademark protection and unfair competition law. We will focus on the federal Lanham Act and also cover some aspects of state unfair competition law. We will ask why, and in what circumstances, things like words, symbols, slogans, product design, packaging, smells, sounds, and restaurant decor can serve as trademarks. We will also study the rules of trademark ownership, including how a party can obtain, maintain, and transfer trademark rights; the scope and limitations of trademark rights; the rules and policies related to trademark infringement and dilution; the nature of trademark defenses, and the right of competitors (and the public) to engage in unauthorized uses of marks for purposes such as parody and comparative advertising. Along the way, we will discuss the heated debates over the broad expansion of trademark rights in recent decades and explore some of the trademark issues involved with internet uses of marks. Other topics that might be covered, time permitting, include false advertising and the legal protection of trademarks abroad.

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.

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.

Transactions focuses on real contracts with real risks. This course includes a strong writing component. There will be an ungraded mid-term writing assignment and an in-class final exam. We will study annotated payment assurances such as provided by a prominent law firm. We will also study a merger and a joint venture agreement as developed by committees of the American Bar Association. We may also study several other agreements. So, this course could be called "everything you wanted to know about commercial liabilities, but were afraid to ask." All of these documents are complex and many of them are lengthy. For example, the Joint Venture Agreement and Merger Agreement are each over one hundred (100) pages. We will study the liabilities in each agreement. Other than liability, we do not study commercial terms. This class is unique. In class participation is not optional. If you are not amenable to completing regular homework assignments with your classmates, please consider registering for another class.

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.  

This class has two primary purposes. It will be a course in U.S. Constitutional law that focuses primarily on the allocation of powers with limited attention to the protection of individual liberties. The second purpose of the course is to have foreign lawyers experience how most U.S. students experience the study of constitutional law. For example, there are very few lectures. I teach primarily using the Socratic method. That means that students must come to class well prepared and will be called upon and engage with me and their classmates.

This class has two primary purposes. It will be a course in U.S. Constitutional law that focuses primarily on the allocation of powers with limited attention to the protection of individual liberties. The second purpose of the course is to have foreign lawyers experience how most U.S. students experience the study of constitutional law. For example, there are very few lectures. I teach primarily using the Socratic method. That means that students must come to class well prepared and will be called upon and engage with me and their classmates.

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 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. 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.