LAW 9520 Accounting for Lawyers
1 Credit
Designed to equip the law student who has not previously
taken an accounting course with the basic principles necessary to properly
understand the materials taught in Corporations, Tax I, and other courses in
which accounting and finance are relevant. The course includes reading and
interpreting financial reports, generally accepted accounting principles,
terminology and basic methods of bookkeeping, commonly used valuation
techniques based upon both assets and income, investment analysis, evaluation
of equity and debt as capitalization methods, and the basic principles and
terminology of securities including stocks, bonds, futures, options and other
debt instruments.
Recommended, but not required prerequisites: Tax I and
Corporations
Offered fall or spring every year, typically as a 7 week
class
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9301
Administrative Law
3 Credits
Examines the powers and procedures of administrative
agencies in investigation, rulemaking, adjudication, and informal actions; as
well as the interrelation of administrative agencies with the legislative,
judicial and executive branches of government in the development of public
policy.
Offered every year
LAW 9580 Admiralty
3 Credits
Introduces maritime law, including admiralty jurisdiction
and selected topics of maritime law such as maritime liens, injuries to seamen,
general average, carriage of goods, salvage, collision, and limitation of
liability.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9502 Advanced
Legal Research
3 Credits
Provides in depth training in efficient, cost effective
research methods covering a wide range of on line and manual formats. Includes
a review of basic research materials and techniques, focusing on primary and
secondary sources, and requires written exercises and a substantial research
project.
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9621 Advanced
Litigation Practice
3 Credits
Provides advanced in depth training in advocacy skills for
each stage of litigation through lecture, discussion, demonstration, simulation
and critique. Considers both civil and criminal trials. Students complete a
simulated bench trial and jury trial.
Prerequisites: Criminal Procedure I, and Litigation
Practice or Trial Advocacy
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9566
Agricultural Law
2 Credits
This offering presents an overview of the legal issues
surrounding agricultural law with a special focus on government regulation. The
course will analyze the purposes underlying government regulation and whether
those goals are well served. The class will also discuss issues that attorneys
face on a day to day basis. Topics will include production contracts, food
safety, organics, business structures, pesticides, and marketing programs.
Offered every other year
LAW 9905 American
Legal System
3 Credits
This class is for LL.M. and foreign exchange students only
and is specifically designed to acquaint these students with the American legal
system. The course includes a significant legal research and writing component.
Offered every year
LAW 9541 Antitrust
3 Credits
Examines legal protection of the competitive system under
the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, and related legislation, including monopoly
power, horizontal and vertical restraints on competition, and related problems.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9334 The
Arbitral Trial and National Legal Systems
1 Credit
This course examines the various ways in which an
arbitration can be organized from the perspective of the role of legal counsel,
the role of the decision maker, and the role of the parties. In conducting this
examination, the course describes and assesses various prominent laws of
arbitration, including French, English, Japanese, and Chilean national law, as
well as the UNCITRAL model rules.
Offered in the London Study Abroad program
LAW 9562 Arbitration
2 Credits
Examines statutes, rules and treaties related to
international, federal, and state arbitration. Topics may include commercial,
insurance, sports, medical, and labor arbitration with role plays and
simulations throughout the course. Taught as a skills course with limited
enrollment. Students may not enroll in this class if they have previously
completed the Arbitration Certificate Program.
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9324 Arbitration
Advocacy
1 Credit
In this hands on course, advocacy is explored in the
context of the cross cultural environment of international arbitration. Using
an interactive workshop format, the course leads students through the critical
advocacy challenges and opportunities that inhere in the arbitral process.
After an initial module on developing a winning theory of the case, the course
will focus upon advocacy in the arbitral proceeding, including the art of
opening statement, effective presentation of documentary evidence, the use of
experts, cross examination, and overall interaction with the tribunal and
opposing counsel.
Offered in the London Study Abroad program
LAW 9595 Arts and
Entertainment Law
2 Credits
The course emphasizes an understanding of copyright,
publicity rights, trademarks, finance, labor law, and First Amendment through
an exploration of the industry structure and practice for music, film, theatre,
arts, online and related industries. The course emphasizes deal making in the
entertainment industry and helps students develop client counseling and problem
solving skills using issues related to typical industry transactions and
business planning.
Strongly recommended prerequisite: Intellectual Property or
Copyright Law
Offered every other year
LAW 9503 Banking Law
3 Credits
Examines the role of banks in a credit economy. Topics
include bank charters, regulation of bank investments and deposits, bank
holding companies, branch banking restrictions, the role of government in
monitoring banks, and bank failures. Statutory material includes selected
portions of the National Bank Act,the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act, the Bank Holding Company Act, and selected statutes and
regulations.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9504 Bankruptcy
3 Credits
Studies state collection remedies, such as executions,
garnishment and attachment, and bankruptcy liquidation under Chapter 7 of the
Bankruptcy Code.
Prerequisite: Secured Transactions
Offered every other year
LAW 9505 Business
Planning
3 Credits
Integrates corporation, securities and tax law through a
series of basic problems that commonly face business lawyers in the formation,
financing, and restructuring of corporations.
Recommended Prerequisites: Tax II and Securities Regulation
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9586 Children
and the Law
2 Credits
Considers issues faced by children in the legal system,
particularly in custody, support, paternity, adoption, child neglect and abuse,
and criminal proceedings, with attention to the role of lawyers and other
professionals in the system.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9111 Civil
Procedure I
3 Credits
Focuses on the civil judicial process and dispute
resolution. It includes a study of the constitutional and legislative grants of
authority to the state and federal judicial systems, including questions of
personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, and venue. Studies each
stage of the civil lawsuit including pleadings, motions, discovery, trial, post
trial motions, appeals, and finality of judgments. In addition, examines
alternatives to the litigation process including mediation and arbitration and
the role of negotiation in resolving clients' problems.
First year required course
LAW 9111B Civil
Procedure II
3 Credits
Continuation of Civil Procedure I. The allocation of
subject matter between Civil Procedure I and II may vary from year to year.
First year required course
LAW 9543 Civil
Rights
3 Credits
Examines statutory and constitutional doctrine on
discrimination, primarily that based on race, sex, and disability. Focuses on
major areas of concern, such as housing, government contracts and benefits,
transportation, public accommodations, education, and others (excluding
employment).
Recommended Prerequisites: Constitutional Law I and II
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9610A Clinic:
Child Advocacy
3 Credits
This clinic offers students many opportunities to appear in
juvenile court and administrative hearings concerning children. Students
advocate directly for children who are involved in minor juvenile cases, cases
for Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS), truancies, school
expulsions, adoptions, and minors seeking to live independently. Law students
may work on guardian ad litem cases or juvenile delinquency cases as available.
Students are required to complete 130 hours, including 60 hours of class work
and 70 hours of case work.
Prerequisite or concurrent: Professional Responsibility
Recommended Prerequisites: Children & the Law, Law of
Juvenile Delinquency, Lawyering Skills, Litigation Practice, and/or Evidence
Offered every year
LAW 9610I Clinic:
Education Law
3 Credits
This clinic offers students the opportunity to both study
education law and represent clients at the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal
Services office in
Prerequisite or concurrent: Professional Responsibility
Recommended Prerequisite: Lawyering Skills
Offered every year
LAW 9610E Clinic:
Employment Discrimination Mediation Representation
3 Credits
This clinic offering takes advantage of a collaboration
between Hamline and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Students represent victims of alleged employment discrimination in cases where
the EEOC has offered early intervention mediation. The clinic complements
theorizing in the classroom about redefining "winning" and
"zealousness" by allowing students the opportunity to apply new
visions of lawyering to clients' real problems. Students are required to
complete 130 hours, including 60 hours of class work and 70 hours of case work.
Prerequisite or concurrent: Professional Responsibility
Recommended Prerequisites: Dispute Resolution Practices or
Mediation Skills; Employment Law and/or Employment Discrimination; Lawyering
Skills
Offered every year
LAW 9610N Clinic:
Immigration
3 Credits
This clinic provides students with the opportunity to
represent clients with immigration cases under the supervision of an
experienced immigration practitioner at a local public service immigration
office. Students will work with several clients with immigration cases. Case types
may include family based petitions, fiancée applications, naturalization,
adjustment of status to permanent residence, visa processing, Violence Against
Women Act or removal proceedings. Students will also have the opportunity to
observer immigration hearings.Students are required to complete 130 hours,
consisting of 60 hours of class work and class preparation and 70 hours of case
work.
Prerequisite or concurrent: Professional Responsibility
Recommended Prerequisite: Immigration
Offered every year
LAW 9610P Clinic:
Innocence
3 Credits
In this clinic, students will have the opportunity to
investigate inmate claims of actual innocence. Students will obtain primary
source material police reports, forensic reports, court pleadings, transcripts,
appellate briefs, and opinions. Students will be expected to prepare written
summaries of these materials and to present and discuss these materials during
class. Students will conduct interviews with inmates and potential witnesses.
Students will have the opportunity to assist Innocence Project volunteers
private investigators, forensic experts, and attorneys in preparing claims of
actual innocence. The course will include lecture, discussion, and guest
speakers about eyewitness identification, post conviction remedies, and false
confessions. Class time will be divided among class work, discussion of cases,
and periodic guest speakers. Speakers will be selected both for the general
subject matter and for the specific cases under review. Students are required
to complete 130 hours consisting of 30 hours of class work, 30 hours of class
preparation, and 70 hours of casework.
Prerequisite or concurrent requirements: Criminal Law;
Professional Responsibility
Recommended Prerequisites: Wrongful Convictions, Criminal
Procedure I
Offered every year
LAW 9610L Clinic:
Mediation
3 Credits
This clinic is a collaboration between Hamline and regional
providers of mediation services. Students mediate cases referred by small
claims or housing courts; those students with prior family mediation training
may also co mediate family law cases, including divorce and post decree
disputes. Students are required to complete 130 hours, including 60 hours of
class work and simulation practice, and 70 hours of case work (actual mediation
time and completion of required post mediation reports).
Prerequisites: Professional Responsibility (may be taken concurrently) and one of the
following: Mediation Skills, Family Mediation, completion of a state certified
30 hour civil mediation or 40 hour family mediation training
Offered every year
LAW 9610K Clinic:
Small Bus/Non Profit
3 Credits
Students will have the opportunity to provide legal advice
to entrepreneurs in developing start up businesses and to individuals working
with tax exempt non profits. The legal issues involved typically include choice
of form of ownership, compliance with federal and state regulatory
requirements, contract drafting and reformation, lease requirements, scope of
insurance coverage, credit record adjustments, tax exemption procedures, and
real and personal property transaction documentation. This clinic does not
undertake litigation. Students are required to complete 130 hours, including 60
hours class preparation and classroom work and 70 hours of case work.
Prerequisite or concurrent: Professional Responsibility
Recommended prerequisites: Corporations and Tax I
Offered every year
LAW 9610D Clinic:
State Public Defender
2-3 Credits
This clinic offers students the opportunity to provide criminal
legal representation to low income persons. Each student represents
approximately four to six clients in a wide variety of criminal law cases,
handling them from start to finish under the supervision of an experienced
attorney at the Minnesota State Public Defender's Office. Students participate
in many phases of practice, from client interviewing through any scheduled
court hearing, and are exposed to a law firm setting where they do their work.
Typical cases include post conviction motions on issues such as sentencing,
restitution, conditional release, guilty plea withdrawal, parole and probation
revocation, and end of confinement community notification. There may be the
opportunity for appellate advocacy, as well as challenges to underlying convictions
for persons facing deportation. Along with hands on experience, classroom
instruction on various aspects of practice is provided. Students work on cases
at the office of the State Public Defender. Students are required to complete
130 hours consisting of 30 hours of class work, 30 hours of class prep and 70
hours of casework.
Prerequisite or concurrent: Professional Responsibility
Offered every year
LAW 9610F Clinic:
Student Director
0-3 Credits
Student directors will work in one of the Hamline Clinics
and handle their own client caseload, as well as provide supervision to and
collaboration with new clinic enrollees. Student directors will not attend
regular weekly clinic classes, but are instead expected to devote a minimum of
45 hours per credit to client representation and supervision/collaboration with
other clinic students as assigned by the clinic supervisor. Only students who
have successfully completed one of the clinics are eligible to enroll as a
student director; enrollment is by invitation of the instructor upon advance
application. Preference will ordinarily go to students who have not yet been a
clinic director. With permission of the supervisor this course can be repeated
once for credit. Students may enroll for 1, 2, or 3 credits with faculty
approval.
Prerequisites: Professional Responsibility and one of
Hamline's clinics.
Recommended Prerequisite: Lawyering Skills, Litigation
Practice and/or Evidence, Administrative Law, Dispute Resolution Practices,
Children and the Law, Juvenile Law or Mediation Skills (depending on clinic
focus).
Offered fall and spring every year
LAW 9610M Clinic:
Trial Practice
3 Credits
This clinic offers students the opportunity to represent
individuals involved in unemployment compensation administrative trials. Students
gain skills in interviewing, counseling, research, investigation and case
management. They also prepare for and conduct one or more trials, gaining
experience developing a theory of the case and preparing direct examinations,
cross examinations, closing argument,
trial brief, and trial notebook. This course provides an excellent litigation
experience in the employment law area.Students are required to complete 130
hours, including 60 hours of class preparation and attendance and 70 hours of
case work.
Prerequisite or concurrent: Professional Responsibility
Recommended Prerequisite: Administrative Law, Lawyering
Skills and Litigation Practice
Offered every year
LAW 9544 Collective
Bargaining and Labor Arbitration
2 Credits
Examines the law of collective bargaining and labor
arbitration, and, through theory and practice, focuses on the aspects of
negotiating labor agreements and arbitrating grievances arising thereunder.
Prerequisite: Labor Law or written permission of the
instructor
Offered fall or spring alternate years
This is a skills course
Enrollment is limited
LAW 9313 Commercial
Law: Payment Systems
3 Credits
Studies the rights and liabilities of the parties in the
various payment systems of negotiable instruments, letters of credit, wire transfers,
and credit/debit cards, focusing on the normal course of business and the
allocation of losses. Covers Articles 3, 4, 4A, and 5 of the Uniform Commercial
Code, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act,
and the applicable federal regulations.
Offered fall or spring every other year
LAW 9315 Commercial
Law: Sales and Leases of Goods
3 Credits
Studies advanced issues involving the formation and
interpretation of sale and lease contracts for goods. The course focuses primarily
on Articles 2 and 2A of the UCC, but may also involve consideration of
international sales of goods under the United Nations Convention on Contracts
for the International Sale of Goods ("CISG") and consideration of certain
special federal statutes related to sales and leases of goods, such as the
Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9314 Commercial
Law: Secured Transactions
3 Credits
Studies secured financing using personal property as
collateral. The course explores the various types of creditors and purchasers
who may establish claims to personal property and the law governing the
priorities of their claims. The primary focus of the course is on Article 9 of
the UCC and selected federal bankruptcy provisions.
Offered fall or spring, every year
LAW 9545 Commercial
Real Estate Transactions
2 Credits
Focuses upon complex, commercial real estate transactions.
Various transaction types such as land purchase and development, wrap around
contracts, shopping center development, and sale and leaseback are examined
through the discussion and analysis of hypothetical situations including the
drafting of documents required in such cases.
Prerequisites: Property I and Modern Real Estate
Transactions (may be taken concurrently)
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9581 Comparative
Law
3 Credits
Comparative study of the origins, development, and
characteristics of the world's major legal systems, with emphasis on civil law
systems.
Offered every other year
LAW 9736 Competitions
0-2 Credits
Law school competition participation offers students the
opportunity to develop and refine writing and speaking skills for up to two
academic credits with the assistance of faculty members as well as members of
the bench and bar. The law school competitions at Hamline consist of a series
of inter mural competitions throughout the year, in which teams of Hamline
students compete against students from other law schools. The appellate type
competitions require presentation of written appellate briefs and oral
appellate arguments at a meet at which each team is scored and critiqued on
briefs and oral presentations by judges and lawyers from the community. The
client counseling, mediation, negotiation, mock trial, and similar competitions
require a demonstration of conversational and advocacy skills directed towards
achievement of client interests; no brief is submitted for these events.
Offered fall and spring every year
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9737
Competitions Tutorial
0 Credits
This is a zero credit required lab for all students
enrolled in a competition team.
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9547 Computer
and Internet Law
2 Credits
This course examines a wide range of legal issues related
to the protection and use of computer technology. It begins with an exploration
of the various methods of protecting computer hardware and software and the
means of distributing and using such technology. Next, it examines issues such
as privacy, personal jurisdiction, liability (civil and criminal) and free speech
that have arisen because of the Internet.
Recommended Prerequisite: Commercial Transactions or
Intellectual Property Law
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9901 Conflict
Resolution from Religious Traditions
2-3 Credits
As a religiously, politically, and culturally diverse
society, the people of
Optional additional independent study credit.
Offered in the Israel Study Abroad program
LAW 9507 Conflict of
Laws
3 Credits
The rules applied by courts in resolving cases involving
transactions or occurrences with relationship to more than one jurisdiction.
Emphasis on selection of appropriate rules where the laws of the jurisdictions
differ. Also studied is recognition of judgments of other states; limitations
imposed on state courts by federal law.
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 91000 Consortium
0-20 Credits
The three Minnesota law schools have entered into a
consortium arrangement that allows students at each school to enroll in classes
at the other two schools if they are not offered at the home school in that
academic year. Registration for consortium courses takes place at Hamline, and
tuition charges are included in the Hamline tuition. Students register at their
home school and will be notified by the registrar's office if they may attend
the consortium class. This cooperative effort among the three law schools
presents an exciting opportunity for students to take advantage of courses in
each school's area of expertise. Grades earned in consortium classes will be
treated as transfer grades and will not be computed into the law school grade
point average. Students are allowed to earn no more than six consortium course
credits during their law school career. Only grades of 2.0 on a 4.0 point
scale, or its equivalent, or above, will receive credit into Hamline.
LAW 9101
Constitutional Law I
3 Credits
Introduces constitutional interpretation, including
doctrines and competing philosophies, and the framework of state and federal
government under the Constitution. It includes the historical background of the
drafting and interpretation of the Constitution, the development of the Supreme
Court as an institution, the powers of the three branches of the federal
government and of the states, and the structure of the Constitution, all as
interpreted by the Supreme Court.
First year required course
LAW 9304
Constitutional Law II
3 Credits
Examines constitutional interpretation of the speech clause
of the first amendment, the free exercise and establishment clauses of the
first amendment, and the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment.
Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I
Offered fall and spring every year
LAW 9316 Consumer
Transactions
2 Credits
Studies the regulation of consumer transactions, including
the Federal Trade Commission Act, Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, Truth in Lending,
Uniform Consumer Credit Code, Uniform Consumer Sales Practices Act, Fair Credit
Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, FTC Credit Practice Rules,
usury, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as well as common law doctrines
that protect consumers, such as deceit and unconscionable. This course is
recommended in addition to Secured Transactions and Commercial Transactions for
those students interested in a full treatment of both consumer and commercial
transactions.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9121 Contracts I
3 Credits
Studies the enforceability of promises. Focuses on the
common law of contracts including creation, performance and breach of
contractual obligations, remedies available for breach of contract, and the
impact of contract on the legal status of non parties. Modern statutory
regulation of contract (the Uniform Commercial Code, Article 2) is also
examined in detail.
First year required course
LAW 9121B Contracts II
3 Credits
Continuation of Contracts I. The allocation of subject
matter between Contracts I and II may vary from year to year.
First year required course
LAW 9600 Copyright
Law and Related Rights
3 Credits
Advanced investigation of the federal law of copyright,
covering subject matter, ownership, infringement, remedies, and defenses; and
related rights areas such as the Visual Art Rights Act of 1990, Audio Home
Recording Act of 1992, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.
Recommended Prerequisite: Intellectual Property
Offered every other year
LAW 9522 Corporate
Finance
2 Credits
Examines advanced issues in corporate structure. Coverage
includes characteristics and rights of senior securities (equity and debt),
valuation problems, divided policy and related corporate accounting problems,
effect of trust indentures, and organic changes in the corporation.
Prerequisite: Corporations
Offered every other year
LAW 9311
Corporations
3 Credits
Introduces the legal and business issues pertaining to
corporations, both closely held and publicly traded. Topics include corporate
formation, structure and governance, as well as the rights and liabilities of
management and shareholders.
Offered fall and spring every year
LAW 9131 Criminal
Law
3 Credits
Examines the functions of the criminal law as a means of
social control, focusing on the process of crime creation and the elements of
criminal liability the criminal act, the criminal state of mind, and the absence
of a defense of justification or excuse. Legislative definition and grading of
offenses, and policy considerations relevant to those processes are studied in
the context of the Model Penal Code and other penal statutes.
First year required course
LAW 9306 Criminal
Procedure I
3 Credits
Studies the constitutional issues that arise in the
administration of criminal justice, focusing specifically on problems connected
with police investigation and other pretrial processes, as governed by the
fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth amendments.
Offered at least three semesters every two years
LAW 9552 Criminal
Procedure II
2 Credits
Studies constitutional and other issues relating to the
criminal trial, appeals, and collateral attacks on conviction.
Prerequisite: Criminal Procedure I
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9622 Dispute
Resolution Practices
2 Credits
This is a survey course in dispute resolution processes
designed to improve lawyers' abilities to advise and represent clients. It
explores the full range of traditional and emerging alternative dispute
resolution mechanisms, both court annexed and extra judicial. It examines
negotiation theory and strategy, mediation,arbitration, and various hybrid
processes that utilize third party intervention (such as early neutral
evaluation, non binding arbitration, summary jury trial and mini trial). The
course concludes with a review of emerging practice trends such as
collaborative law, unbundled legal services, and online dispute resolution.
Enrollment in this course is limited to those who have not taken or are not
currently taking two of the following three courses: Arbitration, Mediation, or
Negotiation; and to student who have not taken Dispute Resolution Practices:
ADR and Technology.
Offered every year
LAW 9598 Dispute
Resolution Practices: ADR and Technology
2 Credits
Global E Commerce retail sales now are growing at an
astronomical rate. As the amount of E commerce continues to skyrocket, the
number of disputes addressed online and the number of providers offering online
dispute resolution services are growing at an explosive rate. This course will
analyze ADR platforms such as Win2, Cybersettle, and iCourthouse, and will
compare and contrast those services with the services provided by traditional
neutrals. We also will discuss how online communication differs from face to
face communication. The benefits and drawbacks of using video and audio
technology both on and offline also will
be explored. Finally, students will attempt to resolve disputes using one or
more of the existing online dispute resolution platforms.Students who have
taken Dispute Resolution Practices may not take this course for credit.
Offered every year
LAW 9126 Elder Law
2 Credits
This course examines the legal issues raised by our
nation's growing elder population. Special attention is given to the housing
and health care needs of the elderly; liability and advocacy issues; financing
of elder care; life and estate planning; guardianship; conservatorship, advance
directives and end of life decisions; and elder abuse and neglect.
Offered every other year.
LAW 9553 Employment
Discrimination
3 Credits
Provides an in depth examination of federal and state fair
employment laws, particularly Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended; and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The focus of the course is
discrimination on account of race, color, religion, national origin,
disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age. Considers
jurisdiction, administrative and judicial claims, proof and other litigation
problems and the impact of the law on employment practices.
Offered every other year
LAW 9560 Employment
Law
3 Credits
Surveys the common law and selected state and federal
statutory schemes that regulate the employment relationship in the
Offered every year.
LAW 9509
Environmental Law and Ecology
3 Credits
Introduces the law pertaining to environmental issues.
Environmental problems are defined and alternative legal approaches for dealing
with them are examined. Existing statutory efforts such as the National
Environmental Policy Act are analyzed, as are regulatory schemes relating to
environmental quality. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the
scientific principles of ecology as they relate to environmental regulation.
Recommended Prerequisites: Administrative and
Constitutional Law
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9510 Estate
Planning and Tax
3 Credits
Deals with the federal and state tax consequences of gratuitous wealth transfers. In particular, it provides basic coverage of the taxes on gift, estate and generation skipping transfers and of the fundamentals of estate planning with emphasis on estates involving small business or farm assets.
Prerequisite: Wills & Trusts (may be taken concurrently)
Recommended Prerequisite: Tax I
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9307 Evidence
3 Credits
Examines common law rules and modern rule systems for
admission and exclusion of real evidence and testimonial evidence. Emphasis is
on relevancy, competence, opinions, impeachment, the hearsay rule with
exceptions, privileges, judicial notice, and presumptions.
Offered fall and spring every year
LAW 9651 Extended
Practicum
6-12 Credits
The extended practicum provides a more extensive externship experience, allowing for 6 12 credits, depending on the nature of the placement. Registration requires advance approval by the full time faculty supervisor for the extended practicum program, and the supervisor makes the final decision regarding the appropriate placement and corresponding credits. Enrollment is very limited and highly selective, and placements may not be available every academic year.The extended practicum may include single semester or year long placements. Each extended practicum includes a two credit classroom component and field work equal to at least 50 hours for every credit awarded (beyond the classroom component).
Professional Responsibility is a prerequisite or concurrent requirement; specific academic and operational requirements for Practicums are presented in informational memoranda maintained by the program supervisors.
Students cannot take more than one extended
practicum, although a pre-arranged year long practicum counts as one. Students
cannot take both a practicum and an extended practicum. Participants must be
eligible for SUPREME COURT CERTIFICATION FOR STUDENT PRACTICE.
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9511 Family Law
3 Credits
Considers state regulation of family relationships. Focuses
on non marital relationships, marriage, divorce, custody, child support,
parents' rights, and procreative rights.
Offered fall and spring every year
LAW 9326 Family
Mediation
2 Credits
This course is a challenging high energy 40 hour seminar in
basic divorce mediation skills and practice development. Along with the basic
content areas of divorce settlement
property division, parenting, child and spousal support, divorce tax
issues the course also addresses: the
role of consultants and lawyers; conflict theory; psychological issues; power
balancing; domestic abuse; drafting agreements; and mediation ethics. Although
designed with the law student and family lawyer in mind, the course also is
ideal training and specialization for therapists and other social service
professionals. The instructor combines therapy techniques and family law
practice that offers all students refined skills and new consumer oriented
service products in the era of managed care. Experiential learning is
emphasized with the opportunity for individual feedback from experienced
coaches.
Offered Summer
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9512 Federal
Courts
3 Credits
Examines jurisdiction of the federal courts over federal
questions and a diversity of citizenship cases; distribution of powers between
state and federal courts; use of state law in federal courts; civil procedure
in federal district courts; and appellate review of federal and state court
decisions.
Recommended Prerequisite: Constitutional Law
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9425 Food and
Drug Law
2 Credits
This course will focus on the regulation of food, drugs and
medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Students will
learn about the statutory framework involved with particular emphasis on the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Students will learn the FDA’s
interpretation and enforcement of its status and regulations and will gain
insight into the FDA’s decision making processes and policies.
Offered every other year
LAW 9701 Hamline
Journal of Public Law and Policy:Associate Editors
1 Credit
The Journal publishes significant public law articles. This
experience provides an opportunity for law students to refine their writing and
research skills while responding to the needs of the community. Requirements of
membership/ criteria for credit: members must participate in 60 hours of
research, drafting or production each semester. The faculty advisor authorizes
credit based on his/her observations, evidence of specific work product, and
recommendations of the board of editors. Staff members may receive up to two
credits per semester, but in no event more than seven credits may be awarded to
any staff member. All staff members, with the exception of third year students
who graduate in January, must complete sufficient work to qualify for credit in
both academic semesters in order to receive credit for either semester.
Exceptions may be made for students on leave of absence. Students may register
for only one publication course in the same academic year. Members of the board
of editors receive two credits per semester, and associate editors receive two
credits per year.
Offered fall, spring and summer every year
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9702 Hamline
Journal of Public Law and Policy: Board of Editors
2 Credits
The Journal publishes significant public law articles. This
experience provides an opportunity for law students to refine their writing and
research skills while responding to the needs of the community. Requirements of
membership/ criteria for credit: members must participate in 60 hours of
research, drafting or production each semester. The faculty advisor authorizes
credit based on his/her observations, evidence of specific work product, and
recommendations of the board of editors. Staff members may receive up to two
credits per semester, but in no event more than seven credits may be awarded to
any staff member. All staff members, with the exception of third year students
who graduate in January, must complete sufficient work to qualify for credit in
both academic semesters in order to receive credit for either semester.
Exceptions may be made for students on leave of absence. Students may register
for only one publication course in the same academic year. Members of the board
of editors receive two credits per semester, and associate editors receive two
credits per year.
Offered fall, spring and summer every year
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9323 Health Law
Organization and Finance
3 Credits
This course addresses the regulation, structure, and
financing of the American health care system. It will focus on the cost and
access issues which permeate health care. The class will examine how health
care is funded through both private and public insurance, including Medicare
and Medicaid. The obligations of hospitals and professionals to treat the
uninsured will be reviewed, as well as the policy questions about addressing
access to the large uninsured population. The course will also review the forms
and structure of health care enterprises, with a focus on the creation and
regulation of tax exempt organizations. The fraud and abuse laws, including the
False Claims Act, the Anti Kickback law and STARK, will be reviewed both from
the perspective of the compliance department and of the lawyer who must
structure health care entities with these laws in mind. Finally, the course
will review how the antitrust laws impact the structure and conduct of health
care providers.
Offered every year
LAW 9322 Health Law:
Quality of Care and Liability
3 Credits
This is an introductory course examining how the regulatory
and legal systems approach quality of care. The focus will be on mechanisms for
assuring quality of care including self regulation, credentialing, the doctor
patient relationship, professional licensure, government regulation, and the
tort system. Examination of the tort system will focus on confidentiality
obligations (including HIPAA), informed consent,and hospital and managed care
liability. The course will review the role of ERISA in both managed care
liability and health plan regulation. Finally, the course will provide an
overview of how the public health system operates to protect both our health
care and our civil rights. At the end of the course, students will have
examined both the law and policy issues such as the problems arising from
medical errors and the struggle to balance the need for quality against rising
costs and lack of health care access. The curriculum focuses on cases applying
administrative and common law, as well as a variety of statutory schemes.
Offered every year
LAW 9599 Immigration
3 Credits
Provides a survey of the cases, statutes, and procedures in
immigration and nationality law. It is designed both for students who wish to
practice immigration law, as well as those who wish to study the intersection
of immigration law with criminal, employment, public benefits, and family law.
The course will cover visa processing, family and employment based immigration,
exclusion, deportation, asylum, refugee status, employer sanctions,
administrative appeals, and judicial review.
Recommended Prerequisite: Constitutional Law II and Administrative
Law
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9720 Independent
Study
1-3 Credits
The Independent Study offers students the opportunity to explore a specific legal topic under the supervision of a full time faculty member and with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.The work will involve the production of a significant research paper or comparable project.
A student may take only one independent study
LAW 9609 Information
Privacy Law
2 Credits
The purpose of this course is to enable students to
understand the development of the
Offered every other year
LAW 9513 Insurance
3 Credits
Considers principles governing the making, interpretation
and regulation of various types of insurance contracts, and methods of
resolution of insurance disputes.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9592
Intellectual Property
3 Credits
This course provides an overview of intellectual property
and unfair competition law by examining relevant common law principles and
state and federal statutes. The substantive provisions of the laws governing
trademark, copyrights, trade secrets and patents are explored in detail.
Offered every year
LAW 9555
International Business Transactions
3 Credits
Examines international business issues involving the export
sale of goods; letters of credit in financing export sales; and resolution of
international commercial disputes, including alternative forms and enforcement
of judgments, tariffs on the importation of goods, customs classification and
valuation, antidumping and countervailing duties, national restrictions on the
export of goods and technology, and international transfer of technology. Also
covers franchising and agreements for the transfer of "know-how", foreign direct investment in developed and developing countries,
doing business in the
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9593
International Civil Litigation
3 Credits
Concentrates on the special problems created when disputes
with transnational implications arise. Focuses primarily on jurisdiction,
service of process abroad, taking evidence abroad, foreign sovereign immunity,
the act of state doctrine, recognition of foreign judgments, and arbitration.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9327
International Commercial Arbitration
1 Credit
This course explores international commercial arbitration
and dispute resolution as they have evolved within the context of the principal
multilateral United Nations treaty governing international arbitration (the
1958 New York Arbitration Convention), to which 140 nations have acceded. The
course discusses factors affecting site selection for international
arbitration, choice of law issues in
international dispute resolution, the concept of arbitrability and the
arbitration of regulatory law claims, the relationships between national courts
and national laws and international arbitration, and the challenge and
enforcement of arbitral awards. The course also examines unique procedural,
substantive, and tactical issues pertaining to arbitrations involving parties
from both Western and non-Western legal systems. The course will compare a
variety of national arbitration laws and institutional rules of arbitration
(UNCITRAL, ICC, AAA, LCIA, HKIAC, and others) with respect to all of these
issues.
Offered in the London Study Abroad program
LAW 9597
International Human Rights Law
3 Credits
This course studies the policy, principles, and enforcement
mechanisms for protection of human rights under contemporary international
human rights law within the framework of the United Nations and the regional
systems of Africa, Europe, and the
Recommended Prerequisites: Constitutional Law I,
International Law
Offered every other year
LAW 9518
International Law
3 Credits
Examines basic principles of international law, including
the jurisdiction of states, making and the effect of treaties, recognition of
governments, nationality of persons and corporations, extradition,
expropriations, international legal forums, the law of war and the United
Nations. A survey of international economic law is also included.
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9328
International Trade and Investment Dispute Settlement
1 Credit
The legal environment for international trade and foreign
investment has changed dramatically since the end of the Cold War. As a direct
result, international trade and investment dispute resolution, in particular
through international arbitration and other non judicial dispute settlement
mechanisms, has become increasingly common. This course introduces students to
the various investment dispute resolution options available to a foreign
investor. After first providing an overview of the regulatory and institutional
framework for international trade, the course reviews basic principles of
dispute settlement, with specific focus on ICSID, Bilateral Investment
Treaties, World Trade Organization, and NAFTA settlement procedures. The use of
ad hoc arbitration, ICJ, and other tribunals also is addressed. The course
closes with an examination of the challenges in enforcing trade investment
decisions and awards.
Offered in the London Study Abroad program
LAW 9329
Introduction to Arbitration Law and Practice: Domestic and International
Aspects
2 Credits
The foundation course covers the salient aspects of
Offered in the London Study Abroad program
LAW 9721 Journal of
Law and Religion
1 or 2 Credits
Journal of Law and Religion (JLR) student editorial
assistants, and student associate editors may receive up to two credits per
academic semester for participation on the staff of the JLR. Credit is awarded
after review of their work by the technical editor, and approved by the
associate dean for academic affairs. In order to participate on the JLR staff
for credit, students must be chosen for membership through an interview process
conducted by the technical editor. The number of students chosen for membership
on the JLR staff will be based on the production needs of the JLR which may
vary from time to time.
Students may register for only one publication course in
the same academic year.
Offered fall and spring every year
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9556
Jurisprudence
3 Credits
Examines fundamental philosophical problems that arise from
the creation of legal and political institutions.Application of various
jurisprudential theories to current legal problems is studied.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9514 Labor Law
3 Credits
Deals with the National Labor Relations Act, and its
administration by the National Labor Relations Board and by the federal courts.
Examines federal regulation of labor relations in the private sector including
such subjects as the organization and representation of employees, negotiation
of collective agreements, and the regulation of strikes, boycotts, and
picketing.
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9557 Labor
Relations in the Public Sector
2 Credits
Includes origins and perspectives on public employment
bargaining, the right to form and join unions, establishment of the collective
bargaining relationship representation cases, the obligation to bargain, the
right to strike and picket, dispute resolution mechanisms: compulsory interest
arbitration, and the power of the legislature to appropriate funds as limited
by bargaining agreements and arbitration awards.
Offered irregularly
LAW 9515 Land Use
Planning
3 Credits
Covers various private and public controls and powers
utilized in the development of land. Attention is given to restrictive
covenants, easements, zoning, subdivision regulations, public acquisition of
land, and urban planning. Property II covered the same material, in less depth,
as Land Use Planning and Modern Real Estate Transactions.
Prerequisite: Property
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9711 Law Review:
Associate Editors
1 Credit
Law Review staff may receive up to one credit per academic
semester for Law Review participation. Credit is awarded after review of their
work by the Law Review faculty advisor. All Law Review associates, with the
exception of third year students who graduate in January, must complete
sufficient work to qualify for credit for both academic semesters in order to
receive credit for either semester. Exceptions may be made for students on
leave of absence from the law school for a semester. Students may participate
for credit on only one publication per academic year. Members of the board of
editors receive two credits per semester, and associate editors receive two
credits per year.
Offered fall, spring, and summer every year
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9712 Law Review:
Board of Editors
2 Credits
Law Review staff may receive up to one credit per academic
semester for Law Review participation. Credit is awarded after review of their
work by the Law Review faculty advisor. All Law Review associates, with the
exception of third year students who graduate in January, must complete
sufficient work to qualify for credit for both academic semesters in order to
receive credit for either semester. Exceptions may be made for students on
leave of absence from the law school for a semester. Students may participate
for credit on only one publication per academic year. Members of the board of
editors receive two credits per semester, and associate editors receive two
credits per year.
Offered fall, spring, and summer every year
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9558 Law and
Bioethics
2 Credits
This course covers constitutional and statutory rights of
patients, as well as ethical and policy concerns in the area of medical
treatment, including confidentiality, informed consent, right to treatment, and
bioethical concerns involving matters such as emerging reproductive, transplant
and life support technologies.
Offered every other year
LAW 9546 Law and
Economics
3 Credits
Focuses on principles and theories of economics and their
application to our legal system. Includes an examination of political, social
and economic theories such as public choice, cost benefit analysis, and pricing
mechanisms. The course also examines questions of distribution/redistribution
of wealth/income.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9585 Law of
Juvenile Delinquency
2 Credits
Study of the history and philosophy of the law of juvenile
delinquency, and functioning of the juvenile court including jurisdiction,
intake and hearing procedures, dispositions, the role of counsel and other
professionals in the system, and constitutional limitations.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9624 Lawyering
Skills
3 Credits
Explores the lawyer's role in relation to the client. Focus
is on effective communication skills with the client as well as with all
contacts the lawyer has in practice. Examines a variety of lawyering roles
through demonstration, simulation, critique, and an interactive video.
Lawyering Skills addresses topics of interpersonal client counseling, client
relationships, case planning, negotiation, mediation, rhetoric, and persuasive
presentation. It uses legislative and administrative law materials in addition
to case law materials.
Offered fall and spring every year
LAW 9201 Legal
Advocacy
2 Credits
Demonstrates how effective advocates use the spoken and
written word. Students practice oral and written advocacy at the trial and
appellate levels in a series of writing assignments and related oral argument
exercises.
Prerequisite: Legal Research & Writing
Offered fall or spring every year
LAW 9567 Legal
Drafting
1 or 2 Credits
This skills course involves the drafting of legal
documents. Legal disputes often arise because of poorly drafted documents, and
this class will focus on drafting tips and strategies that optimize planning,
risk prevention, creative problem solving, and excellent writing. Because legal
drafting is an important skill in many different substantive areas, this course
will vary in content over time and may include topics such as contracts, wills
and trusts, pleadings, and settlement agreements.
Student cannot exceed 4 total credits in Legal Drafting
Offered every year
LAW 9587 Legal
History
2 Credits
Study of the Anglo-American legal system: origins of
contract, property, criminal, and tort law in
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9162 Legal
Research and Writing I
2 Credits
Teaches basic legal research, citation, and the drafting of
legal memoranda. Weekly class meetings are supplemented by small group library
research sessions and tutorial guidance in the preparation of memoranda,
letters, and briefs.
First year required course
LAW 9164 Legal
Research and Writing I: Weekend Program
2 Credits
Teaches basic legal research, citation, and writing skills.
Class meetings are supplemented by small group research sessions.
First year required course (for weekend program students)
LAW 9162B Legal
Research and Writing II
2 Credits
Continuation of Legal Research and Writing I. Students
participate in an oral argument. The allocation of subject matter between Legal
Research and Writing I & II may vary from year to year.
First year required course
LAW 9165 Legal
Research and Writing II: Weekend Program
2 Credits
Continuation of Legal Research and Writing I (Weekend
Program). Focus is on completing a closed memo.Students may also participate in
at least one moot court exercise. The allocation of subject matter among Legal
Research and Writing I, II, & III may vary from year to year.
First year required course (for weekend program students)
LAW 9166 Legal Research
and Writing III: Weekend Program
2 Credits
Continuation of Legal Research and Writing II (Weekend
Program). Focus is on written and oral appellate advocacy. The allocation of
subject matter among Legal Research and Writing I, II, & III may vary from
year to year.
Second year required course (for weekend program students)
LAW 9167 Legal
Research and Writing Lab
0 Credits
This is the lab portion for the Legal Research and Writing
courses. Please refer to the pertinent Legal Research and Writing course description
for full course details.
LAW 9163 Legal
Research and Writing Teaching Assistant
2 Credits
Student Legal Research and Writing Teaching Assistants will
work with Legal Research and Writing sections to teach research skills to first
year students. Each teaching assistant will be assigned to work under the
supervision of one Legal Research and Writing Instructor. Teaching assistants
will teach two fifty minute classes per week. The teaching assistant will
prepare for class each week, including developing a class outline to be
submitted to and reviewed with the supervising writing instructor before the
first class of the week, hold office hours to assist first year students, grade
the research exercises submitted by the first year students, and keep student
records.Teaching assistants must also attend one fifty minute teaching
assistant training session per week, which will be conducted by a member of the
library staff and a member of the legal writing faculty. The training session
includes a review of the research material to be taught in the following week
and a review of administrative issues and concerns. Teaching assistants will
also independently complete the research exercises to be assigned to first year
students.Teaching assistants are expected to devote a minimum of 150 hours
during the semester to this course. Over the course of one week, the hours will
be distributed approximately as follows: two class hours, four office hours,
two meeting hours, three class preparation hours, and four grading hours.
Teaching assistants will meet with students for approximately the first ten
weeks of the semester.
Enrollment is by invitation of the Director of Legal
Writing upon advance application.
Graded Pass/No Pass
LAW 9516 Legislation
2 Credits
Study of statutes and legislative materials as they are
used in litigation. Emphasis is on the interpretation of statutes by courts and
the use of extrinsic aids in determining legislative intent.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9625 Litigation
Practice
4 Credits
Explores the lawyer's role in civil and criminal litigation
and develops advocacy skills through lecture, discussion, demonstration,
simulation, and critique. Includes each stage in the litigation process from
initial client interview through trial. Specific areas include client
counseling, interviewing, investigation, negotiation, witness examination, and
argument. Students may not receive credit for both Trial Advocacy and
Litigation Practice.
Prerequisite or concurrent: Evidence
Offered fall and spring every year
LAW 9588 Mass Media
Law
3 Credits
Examines topical issues and problems concerning the
relationship of law and the mass media. Areas covered include defamation,
invasion of privacy, and other common causes of action against the media, constitutional
limitations on media liability, prior restraint, reporters' privilege, rights
of access to governmental information and proceedings, governmental regulation
of the mass media, and constitutional limitations on such regulation.
Offered fall or spring alternate years
LAW 9623 Mediation
3 Credits
Through discussion, simulations, and role play, this course
focuses on the structure and goals of the mediation process and the skills and
techniques mediators use to aid parties in overcoming barriers to dispute
resolution. The course also examines the underlying negotiation orientations
and strategies that mediators may confront and employ, the roles of attorneys
and clients, dealing with difficult people and power imbalances, cultural
considerations, and ethical issues for lawyers and mediators. In addition,
special attention is devoted to the art of successful representation of clients
in mediation. This course will meet the requirements of the Minnesota Supreme
Court to be included on the Court’s Roster of Qualified Neutrals.Students may
not enroll in this class if they have completed Mediation and Other Methods to
Promote Democratic Dialogue (Budapest Study Abroad Program).
Offered fall or spring and every January Term and summer
LAW 9330 Mediation
and Other Methods to Foster Democratic Dialogue
3 Credits
Through lecture, discussion, demonstration, and role play,
students are introduced to mediation models and scenarios from both the
Offered in the Budapest Study Abroad program
LAW 9559 Medical
Malpractice: Theory and Practice
2 Credits
Introduces the law of medical malpractice, combining review
of substantive law with simulation exercises from discovery to the trial of a
malpractice case. Subject areas include tort and contract theories of
liability, informed consent and right to treatment, procedural and evidentiary
aspects of malpractice claims including expert testimony and scientific
evidence, and defenses including indemnity and contribution and comparative
fault.
Offered every other year
LAW 9517 Modern Real
Estate Transactions
3 Credits
Studies the basic legal elements of real estate transfer
and financing, including land contract and mortgage law, option writing
requirements, rights and duties of parties, remedies, and real estate recording
systems.
Prerequisite: Property
Offered every semester
LAW 9590 Native
American Law
2 Credits
Studies the rights, duties and powers of Native American
groups. Attention is given to history, sovereignty, jurisdiction, individual
rights, and the relationships of Native Americans to their tribal groups and
the groups to the local, state and federal government.
Offered every other year
LAW 9332 Negotiating
International Business Transactions
4 Credits
This course will examine the skills, constraints, and dynamics of the negotiation process in the