Course Descriptions

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Labor Law (LWLP545)

Instructor(s): Richard Paul

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Employment and Labor Law (JD), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG)

This course covers private and public sector labor law in the United States.  About 11% of American workers are covered by union contracts. Union-related considerations dominate the national economic and political landscape.  The National Labor Relations Act (1937) is the first and foundational employment law in the United States.  State Right to Work laws mightily affect American wage equity, investment and social demographics.  Union-backed policies are at the forefront of progressive action in the political sphere. 

Understanding labor law is critical for anyone who intends to practice in the employment law, free speech, or public policy space, or become a Counsel General or a judicial officer.  It is a must for anyone seeking a career in heavily unionized industries like professional sports, public employment, entertainment, transportation, aerospace, healthcare or higher education.  In recent years the National Labor Relations Board (“Board”) has been increasingly active in regulating activities of nonunion employers as well in the area of concerted activity and protest.  Most recently, court cases and executive action have sought to dismantle the Act’s basic protections and structure in ways we will examine in detail.

We expect guest appearances in the course by leading employee advocates, leading management practitioners, and one or more former members of the NLRB.  There will be one final exam. 

Note: This course may be applied as part of the nine required credits for the Employment and Labor Law Concentration (JD).
Additional Information: Employment & Labor Law Concentration (JD)

Legal Writing & Research, GRAD (LLM or MSLS or EXCHANGE ONLY) (LWGC560)

Instructor(s): Leslie Morsek

2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded

This course, which is offered only to students in the LLM, MSLS and Exchange programs, focuses on providing students with: (1) a broad overview of the structure of the U.S. legal system; (2) techniques for successful research , writing and practice of law in the U.S. courts; (3) an introduction to the objective analytical skills that promote success in coursework and in the profession; (4) an introduction to persuasive writing techniques; and (5) techniques for success in class and examinations. The course has a very low student-faculty ratio and faculty carefully review each student’s research and writing assignments. Students are provided opportunities to meet with their professor and revise their written work.

Note:

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