Curriculum - Online Certificate in Real Estate Law

This course will cover theories of recovery for those harmed by intentional and unintentional conduct. We will study intentional torts (e.g., assault, battery, trespass), negligence (with an emphasis on concepts of duty and foreseeability), and strict liability (e.g., ultra-hazardous activities), as well as affirmative defenses. The focus of the course and examples used will come from real estate and focus on property torts. We will also consider the social, economic, and political policies that drive the development of common law and statutory tort law, including caps on damages and other modern tort reform issues.

Business Organizations examines the legal organizations most often used by businesses in the United States and discusses the specific laws governing business organizations, the policies and theories underlying these laws, and best practices for complying with them. The primary focus is on corporations as these are the predominant form of business organization by every measure except number of firms. The course also covers unincorporated entities, such as partnerships and limited liability companies. After taking this course, students will have a solid foundation in the law of business organizations, a general understanding of the business contexts in which the law operates, and an appreciation for the practical issues transactional lawyers confront when advising business organizations. The subject matter will be taught using a "problem method" in order to promote a practical understanding of business organizational law.

In this course, students will examine the strategies, objectives, and challenges that will affect how they draft contracts. They will consider the lawyer's role in drafting contracts and the factors that influence drafting style, technique, and content. The course will begin by analyzing the standard structure and terms of a typical contract, including the purposes behind them. Students will learn to draft precisely. Students then will dissect and examine a range of contracts used in business relationships (e.g., business formations, employment, real estate transactions, mergers/acquisitions) to evaluate drafting techniques and decisions in specific transactions. Finally, the students will use the knowledge they've gained to ink a deal.

In this course, students will learn to prepare and revise documents used in commercial real estate transactions. While the course will provide a general overview of every aspect of a real estate transaction, the focus will be on drafting, analyzing, negotiating, and revising documents needed to close a deal.