105 Business Organizations

The study of business organizations includes partnerships, nature, formation, capacity, and authority of corporations, problems of management, liabilities of officers, directors and shareholders, issuance of shares and distribution of earnings, consolidation, merger, and dissolution. (4 units)

111 Civil Procedure

This course involves the study of civil litigation from the commencement of an action through trial and appeal. Emphasis is placed upon: jurisdiction, venue, parties, pleadings, joinder, discovery, pre-trial motions, motions after trial, and appellate review. State and federal rules of civil procedure are considered. (6 units)

115 Community Property

This course is an overview of marital property systems. It covers the community property system in California – characterization of assets, rights to management and control, resolution of disputes involving community assets, creditors’ rights, and distribution of the community property on death or dissolution. (3 units)

125 Constitutional Law

Areas to be covered in this course include the theory and practice of judicial interpretation and review, the separation of federal powers, the relation of the state to the federal government, specific governmental powers, including the tax, treaty, war and commercial powers with particular emphasis upon the various limitations imposed on the exercise of governmental power and the protection of individual liberties under the due process and equal protection clauses. (6 units)

130 Contracts

This course is a general survey of the common law of contracts and Articles 1 and 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Principles of fairness, public policy, and economic utility are examined through traditional case studies, with emphasis on the formation and enforcement of contracts. (6 units)

135 Criminal Law & Procedure

The criminal law course provides an overview of the purpose of criminal law, the procedures by which it is enforced, and its substantive content, including offenses against the person, habitation and property, imputability and responsibility, modifying circumstances negating responsibility, and limitations on criminal capacity. The criminal procedure course reviews the constitutional principles regulating and limiting criminal procedures of arrest, investigation, discovery, accusation, trial, sentencing, punishment, and appeal. (6 units)

140 Evidence

Topics covered include relevancy and materiality, privileged communications, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, the opinion rule, authentication and the best evidence rule, impeachment and rehabilitation, presumptions and burden of proof, parole evidence rule, and the conduct of the trial from opening statement to final argument. (6 units)

145 Basic Individual Income Taxation

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts with regard to income taxation under federal law, with primary emphasis on individuals. The course more specifically examines identification of income subject to taxation, identification of the proper taxpayer, deductions allowable in computing taxable income, the proper year of inclusion of deductions, characterizations of income and deductions (capital gains and losses), deferral and non-recognition of income deductions, computation of taxable income and tax liabilities, and basic federal tax procedures. (3 units)

150A Legal Analysis

This course is an introduction to legal methods, including case briefing, the impact of precedent, factual analysis, the importance of policy and the use of analogy. Distinguishing and synthesizing cases are also topics. Also covered are the purposes and sources of the law, court structures, and study techniques. (1 unit)

150B Legal Research & Writing

Students are taught how to locate, use, and cite all the major types of research materials available to the legal practitioner. The emphasis is on developing practical research skills. Writing skills are developed through briefs and exercises, and drafting of memoranda, complaints, and points and authorities. (1 unit)

155 Moot Court

This program is designed to further the skills of legal research, brief writing, and oral advocacy. Students are given a mock appellate case. Students research and write a brief for either the appellant or appellee. They are then coached for and participate in oral argument of their case before panels of judges selected from members of the Bar and bench. The course culminates in the annual George A. Hopper Moot Court Competition. Selected students who demonstrate exceptional skills are invited to participate in state and/or national moot court competitions. (2 units)

160 Real Property

Following an introduction to the general concepts of property and possession, the course examines adverse possession, estates in land, and future interests. The course also explores individual and societal rights to water, air, and natural resources. The relation, rights, and duties of the landlord and tenant will also be discussed. Conveyancing, easements, covenants, and servitudes are covered. Finally, the State’s ability to control land use or to take property is presented. (6 units)

165 Remedies

This course analyzes the development and application of substitutionary, equitable, declaratory, and restitutionary remedies available in civil law. The course also explores the relationship between evidence, procedure, trial tactics, and civil remedies. A substantial portion of the course grade is based on writing assignments. (5 units)

170 Torts

This course involves the study and analysis of legal rules which determine whether civil liability should attach to conduct resulting in harm to others. Intentional torts, negligence, causation, strict liability, nuisance, misrepresentation, defamation, invasion of privacy, interference with economic relations, and product liability are considered. (6 units)

175 Wills, Trusts, and Estates

This course provides an introduction to the law of succession. Topics to be covered include transfers of property at death or by inter vivos trust, intestate succession, drafting and execution of wills, limitations upon testamentary power, and contests of wills. The study of trusts will include creation, modification and termination of private as well as charitable trusts. The course will include practice in drafting documents to accomplish inter vivos and testamentary transfers, including wills, trusts, and related documents. The course will also include an introduction to estate and gift taxation. (5 units)

180 Professional Responsibility

This course explores the organization of the bar and regulation of the legal profession. Students will also be guided in the recognition of and response to the varying and sometimes conflicting duties of an attorney to client, court and society. (2 units)

200 Advanced Research and Writing

This advanced program of legal analysis and legal writing will focus on writing projects beyond those covered in the beginning writing courses. Subject to the preference of the instructor, students may draft contracts, motions, pleadings, complex memoranda, statutes, wills and/or other types of legal documents. Professional writing style and the methods of powerful written communication are covered. (3 units)