Course Descriptions

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Education & Disability Clinic I (LWVL550)

Instructor(s): Margaret Dalton, Margaret (Mimi) Adams

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD)

Students receive practical training and experience in client intake, interviewing and counseling, file review and analysis, and legal representation in diverse forums. Some cases proceed to mediation and due process hearings, where students argue the case with support from the supervising attorney. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in case management. The classroom component also includes an overview of statutes and cases in this growing area of civil law. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites.

Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment. 

Note:

This clinic may be applied towards the three required clinic credits for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD).

Education & Disability Clinic II (LWVL551)

Instructor(s): Margaret Dalton, Margaret (Mimi) Adams

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD), Health Law (JD)

Clinic II interns refine their skills, working on complex cases and cases already begun as Clinic I interns. Students may mentor first time clinic participants, serve as lead attorney on cases, and have additional opportunities to appear in court or administrative proceedings. Supervising attorneys/adjunct professors provide individualized coaching, based on the Clinic II interns’ needs and interests. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Clinic I in the same clinic. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. 

Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment. 

Note:

This clinic may be applied towards the three required clinic credits for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD). There are limitations on concentration eligibility. Please check the Health Law Concentration web page for more information.

Education Law Externship I & II (LWVL549)

Instructor(s): Margaret Dalton

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD), Public Interest Law (JD)

The Education Law Externship Program provides students the opportunity to gain valuable practice experience with an education law firm or a non-profit project focusing on education issues. In most cases, students have already identified a position and accepted it, but that is not required for Education Law Externship I. Students may enroll in Education Law Externship I and II for 1 - 6 units of credit and must work during the academic session for a minimum of 50 hours per credit (100 hours for 2 credits, 150 hours for 3 credits, 200 hours for 4 credits, 250 hours for 5 credits, and 300 hours for 6 credits). For purposes of the Education Law Externship, the  academic session is from the official start of classes to the last day of final exams. Any externship work outside this time period may be counted towards pro bono hours, but not academic credit. Academic requirements include a mandatory orientation, student submission of hours worked on a bi-weekly or monthly basis; a 750-word reflective paper at the end of the semester; an externship work product for professor review, assuming confidentiality is not an issue; and on-site supervisor evaluation showing satisfactory completion of work experience. The externship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis.

If you have accepted a field placement, meet the eligibility requirements, agree to meet the course obligations above and want to register for the Education Law Externship course, fill out the application below (see link). After you submit the form, the faculty supervisor will review it and send you an email with additional information. If you do not have a placement or have any placement questions, please contact Professor Margaret Dalton at mdalton@sandiego.edu. 

Additional Information: Education Law Externship Application Form

Employment Discrimination (LWPP535)

Instructor(s): Miranda McGowan

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

This course surveys employment discrimination laws in the U.S.  We will examine the history and provisions of federal anti-discrimination laws prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment based on race, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability and other classes. We will also survey California’s EEO protections, which expand on federal law. 

Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act has been called the single most important law enacted in the 20th Century.  At this juncture in our nation, issues of discrimination are at the forefront of public debate, and the course will focus on the very recent developments in DEI and affirmative action, disability law, and the ascendency of protections for religious expression. We will understand both individual and institutional discrimination; analyze and understand anti-discrimination proof constructs; and discuss the role of bias in government action.  Students will learn the elements involved in bringing and defending employment discrimination suits, and strategies to help clients develop policies and practices that foster discrimination-free workplaces.

We anticipate guest presentations from one or more former Commissioners of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity commission.  There will be one final exam.

Energy Law and Policy Clinic I & II (LWVL518)

Instructor(s): Joseph Kaatz

2-3 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMUS), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG), Environmental and Energy Law (MSLS)
Prerequisite(s): Energy Law

The Energy Law and Policy Clinic provides students an opportunity to conduct legal and policy research in cooperation with a related agency, such as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Air Resources board. Agency staff, EPIC staff, and students work together to select one or more energy-or-climate change-related legal or policy research topics. Under the supervision of a practicing attorney and EPIC staff, students conduct a semester-long research project on the selected topic(s). Students will present results to the agency staff at the end of the semester. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. 

Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Environmental & Energy Law Concentration web page for more information.
Additional Information: Environmental & Energy Law Concentration

Entertainment Law (LWBC553)

Instructor(s): Chris Wonnell

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
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)

Entertainment, including the production of movies, television shows, music, and video games, has become one of the preeminent industries in the United States, and especially in California, and one of America's largest exports. The industry creates a plethora of legal questions that span the traditional law school curriculum. It creates issues of property, especially of copyrights and trademarks.  There are many issues of contract, including production contracts, compensation of talent, and financing. There are important tort matters, including privacy and publicity rights. There are First Amendment constitutional law questions, including censorship and defamation. And there are significant labor law issues, including union relations and discrimination. This course will explore these controversies and the role of the lawyer in bringing the full panoply of legal materials together at the same time to advise, defend, or sue members of this important industry.

Entrepreneurship Clinic I (LWVL520)

Instructor(s): Sebastian Lucier, Eric Austin, Liz Bui, Christopher William Turnbow

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS)

Through hands-on opportunities, students in the Entrepreneurship Clinic provide pro bono legal services to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their small businesses. The Entrepreneurship Clinic does not engage in litigation-related services; instead, it focuses on advising clients on legal matters relating to starting their business and assisting in drafting and filing necessary documents. Such work includes: determining the appropriate choice of business entity, assistance in obtaining necessary permits and licenses, advising on employment and independent contractor issues, drafting and reviewing commercial contracts and leases, and assisting with the establishment of tax-exempt organizations. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites.

Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment. 

Entrepreneurship Clinic II (LWVL521)

Instructor(s): Sebastian Lucier, Eric Austin, Liz Bui, Christopher William Turnbow

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS)

Clinic II interns refine their skills, working on complex cases and cases already begun as Clinic I interns. Students may mentor first time clinic participants, serve as lead attorney on cases, and have additional opportunities to appear in court or administrative proceedings. Supervising attorneys/adjunct professors provide individualized coaching, based on the Clinic II interns’ needs and interests. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Clinic I in the same clinic.

Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment. 

Environmental Law (LWEV520)

Instructor(s): Natalie Jacewicz

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

This survey course addresses the principles that govern environmental law, including the respective roles of the courts, state and federal agencies, and citizen groups. Federal environmental statues covered include: The National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clear Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund). The course will also introduce California state environmental law through the California Environmental Quality Act and the Public Trust Doctrine.

Note: This is a required course for the Environmental & Energy Law (JD) concentration.
Additional Information: Environmental & Energy Law Concentration (JD)

Ethics, Law & International Affairs (LWJT515)

Instructor(s): Horacio Spector

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

Contemporary public policy and legal debates in both the domestic and international arenas involve an intricate network of moral, political, and legal considerations. The course’s goal is to throw light on the relations among these three fundamental realms: ethics, politics, and law. After a general introduction, we will proceed to discuss the following topics: conceptions of liberty and equality, democracy and public deliberation, human rights, conflicts of rights, corporate responsibility for human rights violations, and the rule of law. Our attention will be focused on cross-boundary issues: Is democracy more important than the rule of law? Does economic equality threaten liberty? Are welfare and social rights compatible with civil liberties in populist democracies? In the last part of the seminar, we will deal with complex global issues: wars and military interventions, terrorism, and global justice. Can military force be used to protect human rights? Should rich nations transfer money to poor countries? Should pharmaceutical patents be enforced in the undeveloped world? Are there immigration rights? Is there a global community? Each student will be required to write a research paper of 20 pages in length. Successful completion of this course satisfies the written-work requirement.

Evidence (LWLP529)

Instructor(s): Donald Dripps

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

The rules of evidence in judicial tribunals, focusing on the Federal Rules of Evidence and the California Evidence Code are addressed in this course. Also covered are issues relating to: (1) judicial control and administration - functions of judge and jury, judicial notice, burden of proof presumptions, problems of relevancy, circumstantial evidence, and unfair prejudice; and (2) witnesses - competency, privileges, principles of examination and cross-examination, impeachment and support, expert and lay opinion testimony. The hearsay rule and its exceptions, rules relating to writings, real and scientific evidence are also examined. 

Note: This is a required course for the Civil Litigation (JD) and Criminal Litigation (JD) concentrations.

Evidence Advocacy Lab (LWLP530)

Instructor(s): Lisa Rodriguez

2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Prerequisite(s): Evidence

This course is designed to familiarize students with the practical application of evidentiary points addressed in the traditional evidence course. Students focus on one or two evidentiary issues each week using a problem format. Each area of evidence is taught through performance. Each student is assigned as a proponent, opponent, witness and judge and is responsible for performing that role in class each week, and for submitting a short memo identifying the evidentiary issue and presenting the best approach to offering or opposing the evidence in court. The roles rotate each week. There is a new problem assigned each week. By the end of the semester, each student should be comfortably able to determine what it is he or she wished to accomplish in a courtroom with respect to specific evidentiary questions, and be able to structure the most logical, persuasive and trouble-free means to that end. The course is graded on a 4-tier Pass/Fail basis.

Experiential Advocacy Practicum II (LWAA576)

Instructor(s): Staff

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

The Experiential Advocacy Practicum is a one-year, two credit course that has been designed to provide first-year students with an overview of two major areas of legal practice, litigation and transactional work. The practicum will incorporate learning-by-doing skills exercises that will simulate advocacy tasks that junior attorneys will be expected to perform in practice. Students will work, both in teams and as individuals, with a fictional case file, which will allow them to complete tasks within a realistic but simulated context. The practicum will supplement the first-year curriculum by giving a practical view of the theoretical concepts students are learning in other first-year doctrinal courses