LAW L705 & LAW L710 Torts I, II 3 hrs. & 2 hrs.
These courses together cover intentional torts and privileges, negligence and theories of causation in fact and proximate cause, contributory negligence and assumption of risk, owners and occupiers of land, vicarious liability, automobile accident reparation systems, nuisance, misrepresentation, products liability (survey), damages, and immunities.
LAW L715 Lawyering I 3 hrs.
Students receive instruction in legal research, legal analysis, and legal writing. Throughout the semester, students research the law relevant to hypothetical client cases, apply that law to those cases, and draft memoranda setting forth law, analysis, and predictions as to the outcome of the cases. Students are exposed to both library research and computer research.
LAW L725 & LAW L730 Civil Procedure I, II 3 hrs. each
These courses treat problems related to civil litigation ranging from considerations about the choice of the proper forum through the pretrial, trial, and appellate stages. Specifically the material will include: personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, choice of applicable law (exclusive of conflict problems), pleading, joinder of claims and parties, discovery, pretrial conference, adjudication without trial (judgment on the pleadings, summary judgment, and alternative dispute resolution), functions of the judge and jury including judgments as a matter of law, appellate review (principle of finality, timeliness, scope of review, review of factual determination), the binding effect of judgments (res judicata, collateral estoppel, law of the case), and extraordinary devices (interpleader, class actions, intervention).
LAW L735 Criminal Law 3 hrs.
This course deals with the principles underlying the administration of criminal justice as embodied in a modern code including the aims of criminal law, the theory of criminal conduct, and elements of some specific crimes and offenses. The model is the Louisiana Criminal Code or the A.L.I.’s Model Penal Code.
LAW L740 Constitutional Criminal Procedure 3 hrs.
A detailed exploration of criminal practice and procedure including constitutional limitations of law enforcement and the rights of individuals in areas such as search and seizure, arrest, electronic surveillance, self-incrimination, exclusionary rules, right to counsel, and custodial interrogation as contained in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
LAW L746 Business Organizations I 3 hrs.
This course is an introduction to the fundamental legal principles governing agency and fiduciary relationships, unincorporated business associations, and corporations. Among the topics covered are: 1) the formation, operation, and dissolution of partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations (both privately-held and publicly-held); 2) the distribution of powers among the owners and managers of such organizations; and 3) the relative advantages of various organizational forms.
LAW L750 Constitutional Law 4 hrs.
This course is an introduction to problems arising under the Constitution of the United States, including the distribution of powers among the federal branches of government, the distribution of powers between federal and state governments, and the protection of individual rights.
LAW L760 Evidence 3 hrs.
This course involves a treatment of the rules of evidence, the qualifications and impeachment of witnesses, the opinion rule, admissions and confessions, rules relating to writings, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, privileged relations, burden of proof, presumptions, and judicial notice.
LAW L765 Lawyering II 3 hrs.
This course builds on the research and writing course in teaching legal document drafting skills and problem-solving techniques. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to the preparation of an appellate brief and the oral argument of the case on appeal. Completion of the prescribed brief and participation in oral arguments are mandatory requirements. Students completing the course earn 3 experiential learning credits.
Prerequisite: LAW L715
LAW L766 Principles of Legal Analysis 2 or 3 hrs.
Intensive instruction in legal methodology and analysis through more individualized instruction than generally provided in most law school courses and in coordination with other first year courses, working with problems and issues raised by first year courses (civil procedure, contracts, torts, criminal law, or property). Students will complete numerous written exercises that will provide the basis for evaluating their current performance and prescribing goals and methods of improvement. Enrollment in this course will be capped at 25 students per section to all faculty teaching this course to give the expected intensive feedback on the individual written exercises.
LAW L767 Consolidated Legal Analysis 3 hrs.
Revisits fundamental principles of legal analysis in a systematic manner, building and consolidating skills needed to master the details of varied areas of law, to analyze the relationship between facts and legal rules, to identify legal issues, and to make persuasive written arguments in support of legal conclusions. Frequent written exercises and in-class examinations will be given.
LAW L770 Lawyering III 3 hrs.
This course concerns the professional and ethical activities and duties of the lawyer. The course includes a study of the history and traditions of the legal profession, including the concept of self-discipline and the model rules of professional responsibility. It also examines the impact of ethics and tradition on the practice of the lawyer.
*Note: Lawyering II is NOT a prerequisite for this course. If you are in the bottom quarter at the end of your first semester and you are placed in Principles of Legal Analysis in lieu of Lawyering II, you do NOT need to wait to complete Lawyering III until after you complete Lawyering II. Students interested in participating in Clinical Seminar are advised they will need to have completed Lawyering III prior to starting Clinical Seminar.
LAW L781 Law and Poverty 2 hrs.
This course provides an introduction to the detrimental effects of poverty on society and poor people. It includes a treatment of the history of institutional response to the needs of the economically disadvantaged in the western world. It involves a critical examination of the legal system’s response to the economic, social, and human problems of poverty, particularly in the fields of social security, welfare, unemployment, and worker’s compensation. Special treatment is given to legislative and judicial initiatives in alleviating poverty as it burdens the family, women, and minorities.
LAW L782 Law and Poverty Seminar 2 hrs.
This is a seminar devoted to an in-depth treatment of one or more topics of concern in the area of law and poverty. The exact subjects to be considered will be chosen by the instructor. This seminar will satisfy the requirement for Law and Poverty (LAW L781).
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