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 offers an introduction to federal labor laws that effect organization, negotiation, collective bargaining relationships, and enforcement of negotiated labor agreements in the private sector. The course will examine National Labor Relations Board rules and procedures, federal court jurisdiction, labor arbitration, the rights of individual union members, and the increasing reach of NLRB rulings into non-unionized workforces. The course will also consider somewhat different issues of labor law and regulation in the public sector. This course will not consider other employment laws, employment litigation, or alternative dispute resolution procedures that are covered in other classes offered by the School of Law or the employee benefits class offered by the Graduate Tax Institute. This class requires no prerequisite course work.

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)

Land Use Regulation (LWEV560)

Instructor(s): Mary Jo Wiggins

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

This course reviews the doctrines, concepts, and policies that govern land use regulation and select other public and judicial land use controls in the United States. The course examines nuisance law, once the law’s dominant response to land use matters and still an important doctrine for resolving conflicting land use claims. The course contains an exploration of zoning law, the major public land use control mechanism in most jurisdictions. The course also reviews constitutional and statutory limits on land use regulations. Since today’s land use practitioners must grasp how land use affects local, national and global environments, the course involves consideration of the relationship between land use and sustainability, housing affordability, and other  public policy concerns.  

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), International Law (JD)

The Law Firm 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 professor, 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 Externship, Law Firm Specialty Externship I, or Law Firm Specialty Externship II may enroll in Law Firm Externship. Academic requirements include: mandatory orientation, time logs, reflection papers, and a satisfactory evaluation by the on-site supervisor. Academic requirements may be changed at the discretion of the professor. The externship is graded on a pass/fail basis.

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

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.

Law of Intimate Relations (LWGC555)

Instructor(s): Shaun Martin

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

This class critically examines the various ways in which the law regulates (and in some cases punishes) intimate relationships. On the criminal and constitutional side, the class explores the contemporary and historical justifications for laws against adultery, bestiality, bigamy, fornication, incest, miscegenation, prostitution, sales of contraceptives and "sex toys," same-sex relationships, and statutory rape. On the property and tort side, the class examines the scope of civil liability for alienation of affection, fraudulent inducement of intimate relations and marriage, negligent and intentional transmission of STDs, palimony, wrongful pregnancy, and the ownership of engagement rings and other property after the failure to consummate an intended marriage.

Law of the Sea (LWIC560)

Instructor(s): Nilmini Silva-Send

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

The law of the sea is governed by international law through norms, regimes, and treaties of which the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS, 1982) is the most significant. We will examine the distribution of authority between flag states, coastal states and port states as laid out in UNCLOS and rights, obligations and jurisdiction of states in the oceans. Students will research the extent of monitoring and enforcement of laws of the seas.

The prominence of the law of the sea in international politics is witnessed today for example in the South China Sea and the Arctic Ocean. However, its importance has significant historic reasons which we examine with excerpts from a major legal work “ Mare Liberum – The Free Sea “ by Dutch jurist Grotius. This treatise was used as justification for the 1603 Dutch seizure in the Straits of Singapore of a Portuguese vessel carrying prized goods from the East for sale in Europe, and a defense of the freedom of navigation and of international trade.  

A study trip will also be planned to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography where scientists will illustrate the use and importance of nautical charts to the law of the sea, practical legal issues related to marine research in the oceans, and the tracking of marine cross-border pollution.

Legal Writing & Research II (LWAA546)

Instructor(s): Staff

2 credit(s), Letter Graded

Legal Writing and Research (LWR) II introduces students to persuasive legal writing and oral argument. Through a series of assignments, students focus on the analytical, research, and writing skills required to produce effective legal briefs. Students are also trained in the art of oral advocacy and required to deliver an oral argument based on their legal briefs before a panel of attorneys. The course is offered in small sections with 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.