The course explores the philosophical justifications for punishing individuals as well as the limitations on legislative power to define and punish criminal behavior. The primary focus of the course, however, is on the substantive aspects of criminal law. Cases and statutes are studied to develop a critical understanding of the fundamental concepts of criminal responsibility which include mens rea, actus reus, and the principle of legality.

This course examines civil wrongs not arising from a breach of contract. It explores several theories for holding such wrongdoers liable - including intentional torts, negligence and strict liability - and the defenses that may be asserted in response. For each theory and defense, it analyzes the law's substantive bases, evidentiary requirements, historical antecedents and policy implications. It covers topics as diverse and important as duty, standard of care, causation, harm, intent, privilege, deterrence, punishment, compensation and loss spreading.

The Legal Writing and Legal Research courses are designed to help students develop and practice research and writing skills that are necessary not only to law students but also to practicing attorneys. The Legal Writing course introduces the purposes, structures, and styles of legal writing. The course also emphasizes principles of clear writing.

The course introduces the student - in context of theory, simulated practice, and models of professionalism - to selected topics in the law of the contemporary workplace. Although much emphasis will be placed on traditional labor-management relations, the course offers a working knowledge of the essential language, issues, rules, and strategies found across a wide range of employment law practice including wrongful termination, status discrimination, privacy, wages and hours, alternative dispute resolution, international labor standards, and federal preemption.

This course will survey the common law, state statutory, and federal rules of evidence. The rules, principles behind the rules, and cases interpreting them shall be examined. The primary focus of this course is on the Federal Rules of Evidence, with comparison to the California Evidence Code in those instances where California law differs from the Federal Rules. Primary emphasis is on the basic concepts of relevance and prejudice, hearsay and confrontation clause, best evidence, authentication, witness competency, opinion, and impeachment.

This course will provide both narrative and experiential/inter-active instruction on contract drafting and analysis/review skills for those students interested in a transactional practice. There will be a particular emphasis on drafting entertainment industry contracts (i.e., commonly used clauses and concepts in the TV and Motion Picture industries); however, the skills and techniques taught will also apply generally to contract drafting regardless of industry.

This course focuses on the basic concepts, nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories that make up the day-to-day practice of many immigration attorneys. The visa categories covered would be considered the core of any employment based immigration practice. This area of immigration law is often left to new practitioners to discover on their own, or to learn only after they have joined an established immigration practice. This course is designed for students who have a demonstrated interest in the practice of immigration law.

This course will highlight and focus on the essential, but often overlooked, role of crimes as they relate to immigration law. In particular, the course will cover the immigration consequences of criminal convictions for the undocumented hoping to acquire legal status, prospective immigrants, visitors, and lawful permanent residents. The course is designed for any student who ever intends to practice immigration or criminal law.

The goal of this course is to provide an opportunity for students to learn the basic courtroom skills necessary to have immediate success as a civil litigator. Each class session will focus on the skills used before, during and after any court appearance. Students will learn everything from how to file pleadings through getting the Judge's signature on a proposed order. The heart of this course is an understanding of courtroom procedure - evidenced through both simulations and a visit to a courtroom to view typical examples of law and motion.

Fundamentals and Practical Aspects of Entertainment and Media Litigation This course will take the student through the elements of entertainment litigation cases: how it works in real life, how to practice pragmatically, where and how to get the necessary knowledge to advise, counsel and represent clients, and how to build a practice in this area. The course will cover client representation from fee agreements to appeal.