Curriculum

Business Principles in Law introduces students to the basic principles and practices of contemporary business so that they can be more effective professionals when advising business clients and/or better leverage their internal and external legal resources. The course will focus on fundamental business concepts, including an introduction to accounting, business strategy, management, finance and risk. Additionally, the course will cover the challenges business leaders face in the contemporary economic, political, and social environment. Course sessions will include lectures, guest speakers, and analysis and discussion of real-world situations.

Contemporary Name, Image and Likeness will use current legal cases that have shaped Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) today. Students will consider the legal landscape and economic realities of NIL to develop an informal proposal for a sustainable model, understand the legal framework to address college sports and various stakeholders, and learn how to negotiate and draft NIL collective and NIL marketing agreements.

This course will explore the legal and business issues that arise in connection with the development, production and exploitation of theatrical motion pictures and television/streaming programs. This includes the negotiation of the terms of literary purchase agreements and above-the-line talent agreements; the challenges of the changing landscape of media companies and exploitation platforms; and the impact of copyright issues.

The course will focus on the business, legal, and financial issues that relate to the creation, financing, and exploitation of digital media, including TV, shorts, mobile, virtual reality, influencers, and merchandising. In addition, the business, corporate, structuring, and tax issues (as opposed to intellectual property issues) will be explored.

This course is designed to study and practice writing in business and legal settings. The premise is to teach students writing structure based on audience, tone, form, and purpose. We will address the fundamentals of business writing, including electronic mail, letters, formal reports, and memos, with an emphasis on clear and concise writing. The course will also feature the fundamentals of legal writing, including IRAC, with an emphasis on legal analysis and consistent writing.

Employment Dispute Mediation provides a general survey of substantive employment law related to the procedural rules governing mediation. The course will begin with an introduction to the statutes, regulations and cases governing common employment disputes with a particular emphasis on anti-discrimination law, whistleblower protection, and employer accommodation of disabilities and religious practices. Hypotheticals and partner exercises will simulate aspects of the mediation of employment matters, specifically, counseling clients about mediation, drafting mediation briefs, communications during mediation sessions, negotiation tactics, and drafting agreements.

Entertainment Law and Industry provides a detailed survey of entertainment law from a practical perspective, including legal issues in litigation and transactional contexts in the entertainment industry. Students will also learn about the structure of the entertainment industry, including distribution and financing structures and changes to those structures in digital environments. This course covers legal issues not covered in the Intellectual Property: Copyright and Intellectual Property: Trademark modules, including idea contracts, the right of publicity, and fundamentals of collective bargaining agreements.

Intellectual Property: Copyright provides a detailed survey of copyright law from a practical perspective, including the application of copyright laws in litigation and transactional contexts, with a focus on the entertainment and media industries.

Intellectual Property: Trademark provides a detailed survey of federal trademark law form a practical perspective, including the federal trademark registration process and the application of trademark laws in litigation and transactional contexts. Students will also learn about the "ICANN" system and laws relating to internet domain names.

Human Resource Compliance explores the key areas within the field of human resources and employment and labor law from recruiting through termination. As the people who comprise the workforce, human resources are the backbone of every organization. Thus, the human resources field is valuable for every business leader and advisor to understand to meet the strategic objectives of an organization and to minimize risk. This course will prepare you to advise and support employers in day-to-day management of the workforce by enabling you to spot issues, compose policies and procedures, and develop an appropriate course of action based on legal requirements and best practices.

Introduction to Litigation in U.S. Courts examines rules of civil procedure, taking a "nuts and bolts" approach to litigation in the court system. There will be discussion of the differences between state and federal rules of civil procedure. The course will be taught with a focus on litigation strategy and practical solutions.

Legal Research examines the basic legal research methodologies and techniques for the federal and California jurisdictions by focusing on online research sources.