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)

Law Firm Externship (LWVL559)

Instructor(s): Kimberly Gosling

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), Children's Rights (JD), Civil Litigation (JD), Criminal Litigation (JD), Employment and Labor Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Health Law (JD), Intellectual Property (JD), International Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMUS), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMUS), Intellectual Property (LLMUS), International Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMG), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG), Intellectual Property Law (LLMG), LLM in International Law (LLMI)

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. 

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): Chris Wonnell

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.

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.