Course Descriptions

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California Civil Discovery Practice (LWLP521)

Instructor(s): Timothy Taylor

2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential OR Writing
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)

This course focuses on the primary written civil discovery procedures in California, a major component of pre-trial litigation and a significant part of the work typically delegated to new lawyers practicing in the civil litigation arena. Students will learn the critical statutes, rules and resources required to make initial disclosures, create a discovery plan, and deploy discovery devices including interrogatories (form and special), inspection demands, requests for admission, and requests for physical and mental exams. Objections to these discovery devices, responses to discovery requests, meet and confer requirements, discovery motions, protective orders and sanctions will also be covered (as will the use of discovery responses at trial). The form and format for deposition notices will be examined; students will argue a discovery motion and participate in simulation training in conducting a basic PMK deposition. Non-party discovery and preservation of testimony or evidence before filing an action is also addressed. The class follows an actual case from the perspective of both sides as well as the tribunal; students will work in teams and learn to assemble a trial book as discovery progresses. Students who complete this course will gain an understanding of the broad framework of California pre-trial discovery, effective and ineffective discovery devices, as well as some of the key differences between the state and federal discovery systems. This class does not cover E-discovery, as it is covered in the E-discovery Law course. 

Note:

This class is limited to 20 students, and will be taught by San Diego Superior Court Judge Timothy B. Taylor.

California Criminal Litigation Skills (LWCR505)

Instructor(s): Richard Gates, Amy Maund

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Criminal Litigation (JD), Criminal Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMG), Criminal Law (MSLS)
Prerequisite(s): Criminal Law, Legal Writing & Research

If you are considering a career as a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney, or plan to intern at a prosecution or criminal defense agency, this is the course for you. This course focuses on the knowledge and skills required to litigate criminal cases in the California trial courts. The class tracks a criminal case from arrest through sentencing, but not trial, providing students with an overview of the process. Students draft practice-related documents, participate in courtroom simulations, learn fact management and development, and participate in discussions on relevant topics.

Note:

This is not an exam course.

California Regulatory Law & Public Interest (LWPP570)

Instructor(s): Marcus Friedman

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Health Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMUS), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG), Environmental and Energy Law (MSLS)

California Regulatory Law and Public Interest (formerly known as Public Interest Law and Practice) is a Fall or Spring semester practicum course in which students learn the substantive law governing the operation and decisionmaking of California regulatory agencies, including constitutional and administrative law principles commonly a part of the Bar Exam. State regulatory agencies are a crucial area of legal practice as they control environmental and land use requirements, education, utilities, and almost all trades and professions (e.g. contractors, doctors, accountants, veterinarians, and attorneys). Public interest lawyers represent interests that are diffuse, unorganized, and generally underrepresented — such as consumers, the environment, children, and the future. This class focuses on the basics of regulations, agency requirements on rulemaking and adjudication proceedings under the California Administrative Procedure Act, the legislative process, constitutional limits on agencies, excessive or inadequate regulations, federal and state antitrust law, allies and strategies for creating systemic change, and the state budget process. Students are assigned California agencies to monitor outside of the classroom and provide an update to be published in the California Regulatory Law Reporter. Students will also provide agency updates throughout the semester via blog and social media posts. Students are encouraged to take the Regulatory Law Clinic or Public Interest Clinic after completion of the course.

Note:

This is a required course for the Public Interest Law Concentration (JD). There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the JD concentrations web page for more details about applicability to other concentrations.

Child Rights & Remedies (LWFC520)

Instructor(s): Jessica Heldman

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD)

This is a broad course covering the basic substantive and procedural law relevant to advocacy on behalf of children. The course is taught with a combination of lecture and Socratic dialogue. It surveys the following subject areas: the rights of children, criminal prosecution of children, child abuse and protection, child tort recovery, child rights to property and support, child-related political rights and liberties, and child entitlements (including public welfare, health, nutrition, care, education, and special populations). The course includes discussion of the alternative methods of child advocacy, class action practice, writs of mandamus, administrative practice, and local government advocacy.

Note: This is a required course for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD).
Additional Information: Children's Rights Concentration (JD)

Climate Change Law & Policy (LWEV503)

Instructor(s): Nilmini Silva-Send

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing
Concentration(s): Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMUS), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG), Environmental and Energy Law (MSLS)

This course explores significant law and policy issues related to climate change. Starting with the science and economics of climate change, we will examine legal approaches to the governance of climate change as a complex global, multigenerational system. While federal attempts to directly regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs) have not materialized, existing environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, and federal energy policy to regulate the electricity, natural gas, and the transportation sectors have led to overall GHG reductions. We will focus next on state regulation of climate change, specifically California’s climate change policy, law and implementation, and challenges related to federal policy and changes. The role of judicial review and litigation in forcing implementation or stronger regulatory action will be examined. The impacts of climate change law on energy affordability continues to be a hot topic which students will assess, including attendance of the annual EPIC Symposium 2025. As important as mitigating GHGs is how the law approaches the adaptation needs of climate change, such as land management practices and wildfire insurance, which students will examine as currently unfolding in California. 

Note: Either this course or Energy Law & Policy must be taken as a required course for the Environmental & Energy Law Concentration (JD).
Additional Information: Environmental & Energy Law Concentration

Community Property (LWFC554)

Instructor(s): Meredith Levin

3 credit(s), Letter Graded

This course covers the California community property law, the system for ownership and management of marital property by spouses. California law is the focus of the course, but the materials include comparison of the community property systems of other US states for parallel issues. The approach in the course is to examine both the policy and concepts of the community property system and the detailed rules and legislation applicable in California. The grade for this course is based on a midterm and final exam.

Consolidated Group Tax (LWTE534)

Instructor(s): Beth Wapner

2 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), International Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), International Law (LLMUS), Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT), LLM in International Law (LLMI), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS), International Law (MSLS), Taxation (MSLS)
Prerequisite(s): Tax I
Recommended Class(es): Corporate Tax

This two-credit course will cover basic tax consolidated return principles such as eligibility to file consolidated returns and administrative requirements; intercompany transactions; investment adjustments; acquisitions and dispositions of group members and losses. Advanced topics may include use of disregarded entities in the group and other limitations.

Note:

This course offers two sections, one of which is Distance Education Synchronous via Zoom.

Constitutional Law II (LWPP525)

Instructor(s): Laurence Claus

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Prerequisite(s): Constitutional Law I

This course is about the Bill of Rights – apart from its “criminal procedure” aspects – and especially about the Fourteenth Amendment and its guarantees of due process and equal protection.  Topics may include the second amendment; disputes over economic liberty, sexual liberty, abortion, and assisted suicide; the right to bear arms; takings of private property; voting rights; race and sex discrimination and affirmative action. A final exam is required.

Constitutional Separation of Powers (LWPP576)

Instructor(s): Kenneth Lee

2 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing

Americans rightfully view the Bill of Rights as the crown jewel of our Constitution. But less appreciated is how the structure of our Constitution also safeguards our rights. This course will examine how separation-of-powers, bicameralism, and federalism limit government overreach, encourage deliberate lawmaking, and ensure individual liberty. The topics will range from James Madison’s pathbreaking conception of separation-of-powers to the President’s appointment power to Congressional investigations. The class will also incorporate current events and modern developments in discussing these timeless principles. The final grade for the course will be based on a paper eligible for written work credit.

Contemplative Practice of Law (LWGC514)

Instructor(s): Emily Nagisa Keehn

1 credit(s), P/F Graded

We have much work to do to support the well-being of lawyers. There is robust evidence showing that lawyers suffer at high rates from chronic stress, substance abuse, depression, and burnout. This seminar will introduce students to a variety of mindfulness and contemplative theories and practices with the objective of cultivating their long-term resiliency as professionals. Readings will examine issues through the lens of professional identity formation at the personal and interpersonal levels, including relationships with themselves, their clients, and their colleagues. This course will help students to grow in their self-knowledge, learn how to navigate psychologically difficult situations, and have greater care for themselves while striving to work more thoughtfully and effectively in the service of others.

Note:

This is a short course offered over seven weeks from 9/4/26 - 10/23/26.

Contract Drafting (LWGC563)

Instructor(s): Monica Sullivan, Frederick Heller

2 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential OR Writing
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS)

Transactional drafting is crucial to the legal profession. It refers to the process of creating documents to formalize agreements between parties. This course trains students to be able to use the process comfortably. You will learn to structure agreements, and express them in clear and concise language that will benefit clients and maximize the likelihood of favorable interpretation. The course emphasizes both cooperative and individual drafting work. Each week in class, you will focus on selected components of the drafting process, and prepare a document or exercise requiring you to practice what you learn. You will receive immediate feedback on that days drafting activity, and written comments on individual weekly homework assignments. Visits by attorneys who draft contracts in their practice will provide a view of how the legal profession depends on this skill. This class will use various types of contracts that touch on various areas of substantive law: contracts for the sale of goods, business or property (contract law, commercial transactions); residential and commercial leases (landlord-tenant and real estate law); settlement agreements (torts); employment, non-disclosure and non-compete agreements (employment law); retainer agreements (legal ethics); intellectual property rights (intellectual property); corporate acquisitions (corporations, securities law); entertainment contracts (entertainment law); vendor contracts (sports law). Grades are based on the scores on individual weekly assignments.

Note: This course may fulfill either the Experiential OR Upper Division Writing requirement. Students will be asked in class at the beginning of the semester to elect which requirement they would like this course to fulfill. The student's election is final.

Contract Drafting GRAD (LWGC562)

Instructor(s): Leslie Morsek

2 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing
Concentration(s): LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS)

Transactional drafting is crucial to the legal profession. It refers to the process of creating documents to formalize agreements between parties. This course, which is offered only to students in the LLM. MSLS  and Exchange programs, trains students to be able to use the process comfortably. You will learn to structure agreements, and express them in clear and concise language that will benefit clients and maximize the likelihood of favorable interpretation. The course emphasizes both cooperative and individual drafting work. Each week in class, you will focus on selected components of the drafting process, and prepare a document or exercise requiring you to practice what you learn. You will receive immediate feedback on that day’s drafting activity, and written comments on individual weekly homework assignments. Visits by attorneys who draft contracts in their practice will provide a view of how the legal profession depends on this skill. This class will use various types of contracts that touch on various areas of substantive law: contracts for the sale of goods, business or property (contract law, commercial transactions); residential and commercial leases (landlord-tenant and real estate law); settlement agreements (torts); employment, non-disclosure and non-compete agreements (employment law); retainer agreements (legal ethics); intellectual property rights (intellectual property); corporate acquisitions (corporations, securities law); entertainment contracts (entertainment law); vendors’ contracts (sports law). Grades are based on the scores on individual weekly assignments.

Note:

This course is for students in the LLM, MSLS, and Exchange programs only.

Corporate Innovation & Legal Policy (LWIP528)

Instructor(s): Orly Lobel

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), Employment and Labor Law (JD), Intellectual Property (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), Intellectual Property (LLMUS), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG), Intellectual Property Law (LLMG), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS), Intellectual Property Law (MSLS)

What are the optimal policy ingredients and business strategies for managing innovation? How can business leaders, inventors, lawyers, and policymakers benefit from the connections between corporate success, intellectual property, and human capital? The course will introduce foundations of intellectual property law and employment and organizational practices. We will examine corporate policies and disputes over the control of ideas, secrets, skill and intellectual property. In particular, we will analyze non-compete contracts, trade secrets and non-disclosures, information privacy, economic espionage, employee duties of loyalty, including prohibitions on customer and co-worker solicitation and raiding for competitive endeavors; and employer ownership over inventions and artistic work, including pre-invention patent assignment agreements and work-for-hire disputes. In the past few years, the black box of innovation has been pierced with a plethora of new interdisciplinary research and practice. At the same time, industry and policymakers in the United States, like other countries around the world, are debating the benefits of existing EIP laws. In the course, we will bring together these various developments to identify how companies can sustain their innovative capacities, commercialize science, and manage creativity, and to assess how differences in regulatory and contractual arrangements in the employment relationship can impact key aspects of innovation, such as the rate of patent filings, the level of network participation in intellectual and creative endeavors, individual motivation to innovate, organizational behavior, and talent mobility.

Additional Information: Business and Corporate Law Concentration, Employment and Labor Law Concentration, Intellectual Property and Technology Law Concentration

Corporate Tax (LWTE560)

Instructor(s): David Bowen

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS), Taxation (MSLS)
Prerequisite(s): Tax I

The course involves a study of the basic concepts of federal income taxation of C corporations and their shareholders, including organization of corporations; cash and stock dividends; redemptions of stock; partial and complete liquidations; sales of corporate businesses and reorganizations. Taxation of corporations is compared with taxation of partnerships, limited liability companies and S corporations. The emphasis is on careful analysis of Code provisions, Treasury Regulations, other administrative materials and important judicial decisions in relation to problems that are frequently assigned in advance of class discussion.

Note:

This is a required course for the Business and Corporate Law Concentration (JD).

This course offers two sections, one of which is Distance Education Asynchronous via modules on Canvas.

Corporations (LWBC545)

Instructor(s): Ted Sichelman

4 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), Employment and Labor Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS)

This course examines the structure and the rights and obligations of directors, officers, and shareholders mainly under state corporations law. Other topics include partnerships and limited liability entities. The course covers, among other subjects, the characteristics of the corporation as distinct from other forms of business association, the special problems of the closely-held corporations (a corporation owned by a few persons), the fiduciary obligations of directors and controlling shareholders in closely-held and public corporations, procedures for decision making by directors and shareholders, shareholder voting rights, and certain federal securities law subjects, such as insider trading.

Note:

This is a required course for the Business and Corporate Law Concentration (JD) and for the LLM in Business & Corporate Law.

This course will be taught in the evening by Professor Gad Weiss.

Corrections & Sentencing (LWCR510)

Instructor(s): Alex Landon

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing
Concentration(s): Criminal Litigation (JD), Criminal Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMG), Criminal Law (MSLS)

Covers objectives of sentencing, plea and sentence bargaining, sentencing advocacy, sentencing alternatives, prisoner conditions, prisoners' rights, jail and prison litigation, probation and parole revocation, and extraordinary writs relating to corrections. A research paper will be required.Successful completion of the paper will fulfill the law schools written work requirement.

Additional Information: Criminal Litigation Concentration (JD)

Criminal Procedure I (LWCR520)

Instructor(s): Justin Brooks, Kaitlyn McCarthy

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Criminal Litigation (JD), Criminal Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMG), Criminal Law (MSLS)
Prerequisite(s): Criminal Law

This course is limited to pre-trial matters, as affected by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth amendments. Coverage will include arrest, search and seizure, wiretap, lineups, interrogation, and the exclusionary rules.

Note: This is a required course for the Criminal Litigation Concentration (JD).
Additional Information: Criminal Litigation Concentration (JD)