Course Descriptions

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Law Firm Externship (LWVL559)

Instructor(s): Kimberly Gosling

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD), Criminal Litigation (JD), Criminal Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMG)

The Law Firm Externship (previously “Law Firm Specialty Externship”) program gives students the opportunity to gain academic credit for work in an approved law firm during the fall or spring semesters. All placements are subject to approval by the Faculty Supervisor, and students must receive approval before enrolling in the course. Students may earn 1-6 units of credit for work performed between the start of classes and the last day of final exams; work performed outside this time period does not count towards academic credit requirements.

Students who previously enrolled in Law Firm Specialty Externship I or II may enroll in Law Firm Externship Academic requirements include: mandatory orientation; time logs; reflection papers and other written work assigned by the Faculty Supervisor; participation in one small group meeting with the Faculty Supervisor; and a satisfactory evaluation by the on-site supervisor. The externship is graded on a pass-fail basis.

Note:

There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the JD concentrations web pages for more information. Contact Law Student Affairs to find out if your work in this externship qualifies for the concentration.

For more information or to apply for enrollment, contact Professor Kimberly Gosling (kgosling@sandiego.edu).

Law Journal Editing and Research (LWGC538)

Instructor(s): Macklin Thornton

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

This course is offered only to students who are editorial board members of Law Review, International Law Journal, and Journal of Climate and Energy Law. This course provides students with an understanding of editorial and publication processes through faculty supervised training. Topics include editing, editorial research, article selection, and other aspects of journal operations. The course is taught by a adjunct faculty member who meets regularly with students, provides them with specific and individualized feedback on their contributions, and provides guidance on journal operations.

Students will be graded on the basis of class attendance and participation, and performance on class assignments and a final exam.

Legal Writing & Research I (LWAA545)

Instructor(s): Staff

2 credit(s), Letter Graded

Legal Writing and Research (LWR) I is the first part of a two-semester program introducing students to the tools lawyers use to analyze, research, and frame legal positions and communicate them in predictive office memoranda. Students practice and actively learn legal writing and research skills by creating multiple drafts of office memoranda and conducting both print and computer-assisted legal research. The course is offered in small sections with very low student-faculty ratios so that faculty may provide individualized and frequent feedback on student work. Required for first-year students.

Legal Writing & Research, GRAD (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.

Low Income Tax Incentives (NEW) (LWTE543)

Instructor(s): Maurice Foley

2 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing
Concentration(s): Public Interest Law (JD), Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT), Taxation (MSLS)

This course will focus on how and why the government uses the tax law to provide income support, housing, and jobs to low-income families and encourage economic development in low-income communities. The course will provide an in-depth candid review of the political, economic, social, and budget considerations relating to the formulation, drafting, and enactment of these provisions. The course will also explore the intersection of tax policy and our criminal justice system. Tax I is not a prerequisite.

Note:

This course is taught by US Tax Court Judge Maurice B. Foley.

This is a synchronous distance education course. .Judge Foley will be in San Diego to teach the first two classes in person.  Thereafter, classes will be taught via Zoom.