Courses

Alternative Dispute Resolution Survey

This course gives students an introduction to arbitration, negotiation and mediation. It covers substantive and procedural law applicable to these alternative processes, examines the contexts in which each process is most appropriate and introduces skills necessary for conflict resolution.

Mediation

This course focuses on mediation theory, practice, ethics and policy in the context of the development of ADR processes in general. Students explore some of the most pressing issues facing modern mediation practitioners.

Negotiation

Intensive and skills-based, this course improves students' ability to negotiate on behalf of clients. Crafting deals, resolving disputes, and preventing misunderstanding requires creativity, skill, and persistence. This course provides a highly experiential opportunity for students to understand and navigate negotiations.

Arbitration

Arbitration students are introduced to the law and practice of labor, employment and commercial arbitration. Reading and discussion focus on federal and state statutes favoring arbitration, judicial review of arbitration awards, the selection of arbitrators and the presentation of arbitration cases. Advocacy in arbitration proceedings is simulated as a class project. The course emphasizes effective representation techniques and highlights the differences between arbitration and traditional litigation.

Insurance and Commercial Mediation

This course teaches students the effective use of mediation from the viewpoint of a lawyer representing a client who is bringing or defending a claim involving a commercial or insurance dispute. Students observe a mediation and also participate in a simulated personal injury mediation.

Federal Judicial Settlement Practice

This course centers on the use of court-assisted settlement in the context of civil litigation. It is taught by a federal magistrate judge and explores how lawyers should prepare for and represent their clients in settlement conferences. Students have opportunities to observe judicial settlements and to perform the roles of attorneys and clients in classroom simulations.

Litigation Practice and Procedure

The primary purpose of this course is to help students learn effective litigation skills. These skills include how to work with clients, investigate and develop a case, draft and respond to pleadings, initiate and respond to discovery, interview and depose witnesses, conduct motion practice, write and argue motions, and negotiate settlement. The primary work in the class centers on a hypothetical case, which is litigated during the semester. The class is divided into two law firms, with one firm representing the plaintiff and one representing the defendant.

Interviewing and Counseling

This course offers law students an opportunity to explore the complex dynamics of client representation and helps improve their ability to serve as wise counselors.

Trial Practice Laboratory

This workshop develops students' courtroom skills in civil and criminal cases. Topics include opening statements, witness examination, objections, closing arguments and jury selection. The course culminates with each student conducting a full trial at the end of the semester.

Mediation Clinic

Students enrolled in the mediation clinic receive training as mediators and then spend one morning each week working in small claims court, helping disputants search for nonlitigation solutions to the problems that brought them to court. The mediation clinic also includes a weekly classroom component in which students explore and reflect on their experiences as mediators.