ACCOUNTING FOR LAWYERS (2 credits)
Focuses on financial accounting topics important to a practicing attorney. It introduces students to accounting principles, and covers such matters as interpreting financial statements, the relationship of financial accounting to income tax accounting, and accountant malpractice.

ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES (3 credits)
Covers the administration of estates, including the probate process, inventories, accounts, will contests, estate tax returns, and sale of real estate, with particular emphasis on the rights, duties, and liabilities of fiduciaries. Prerequisite: Wills and Trusts.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (3 credits)
Analyzes the regulatory, adjudicatory and policymaking powers of federal, state and local government agencies and their effect on private interests.

ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME LAW (3 credits)
Analyzes the many issues faced in maritime law, including torts, contracts, state and local environmental laws, and international treaties.

ADVANCED LITIGATION SKILLS (3 credits)
Focuses on the skills needed to effectively represent clients in complex litigation settings.

AGING & HEALTHCARE DECISIONMAKING (3 credits)
Deals with related healthcare decisionmaking issues such as informed consent, refusal of treatment, competency, decisionmaking for incompetent people, and assisted suicide.

AGING AND THE LAW (3 credits)
Explores the wide range of legal issues facing the elderly, including health insurance, medicaid planning, durable powers of attorney, and social security regulations.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (2 credits)
Deals with mediation, arbitration and other alternative methods of resolving disputes.

ASSET PROTECTION AND PLANNING (2 credits)
Explores the planning opportunities under federal and state law to shield individual assets from creditors, taxing authorities, and other interested parties.

AVIATION LAW (3 credits)
Provides an historical perspective of the origins of western law, and then focuses upon tort law, manufacturers liability, governmental responsibility, and the role of the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

BAIL TO JAIL (3 credits)
Examines the criminal procedure process from arrest and arraignment through sentencing.

BANKING LAW (2 or 3 credits)
Provides an overview of the roles of federal agencies and also covers charter requirements, bank deposits and accounts, bank collections, commercial and real estate lending, and consumer transactions.

BANKRUPTCY LAW (3 credits)
Deals with the policies and legal principles of the federal bankruptcy laws. Focus is placed on claims cognizable in bankruptcy, the rejection and assumption of executory contracts, automatic stays, Chapter 11 reorganizations, “fresh start” rules, jurisdiction, and other matters.

BASEBALL AND THE LAW (3 credits)
Within the context of baseball, focuses upon antitrust laws, organized labor, collective bargaining, standard contracts, tort law, intellectual property, and franchise relocation.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE LAW (3 credits)
Examines the interaction between law and economic theory and analysis. The first part of the course focuses on the role of economics in the judicial and legal process and the influence it has in the development of substantive law. The second part of the course focuses on the economic impact of law on products, businesses, markets, and economic development. The course addresses complex questions involving antitrust, taxation, the environment, and the role of lawyers in the economy.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS (3 credits)
Examines the legal rules governing the personal and business relationships which arise in agency relationships, partnerships, and corporations.

BUSINESS LITIGATION (3 credits)
Focuses on the trial tactics and strategies involved in representing businesses as plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation.

BUSINESS NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS (3 credits)
Focuses on business negotiations and the drafting of complex business arrangements.

CASE PREPARATION AND STRATEGY (3 credits)
A study of the actions taken and strategies used in a lawsuit from the time a lawyer is first contacted by a client to the end of a trial. Prerequisite: Evidence.

CIVIL PROCEDURE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (4 credits)
A study of the procedural rules governing civil litigation and the methods used to resolve legal disputes.

CIVIL RIGHTS (2 credits)
Examines the history and development of civil rights in federal and state courts.

CLINIC (3 or 6 credits)
In the clinic course upper level students obtain “hands-on” experience working in various legal settings in the public and private sectors. Prerequisites: 45 credits, Evidence, not on academic probation during the prior 2 semesters, and certification under Rule 3.03.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND ARBITRATION (3 credits)
Examines the legal and practical aspects of the collective bargaining process engaged in by labor and management, including the arbitration and enforcement of labor contracts.

COMPARISON OF MASSACHUSETTS AND NATIONAL LAW (6 credits)
Examines the laws of Massachusetts and sister states, and helps prepare students for the bar examination.

COMPUTER LAW (2 credits)
F ocuses on the legal issues surrounding the creation, use, and transfer of computer hardware and software, including computer crime and the protection of privacy.

CONFLICT OF LAWS (2 or 3 credits)
Concerns choice of laws, the bases for judicial and legislative jurisdiction, and recognition of foreign judgments.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (4 credits)
Explores the reach of federal power, its relation to the powers of the states, and the civil rights of individuals that are protected by and from governmental power.

CONSUMER RIGHTS (3 credits)
Deals with the protection of consumer interests. It deals with such topics as truth in lending, warranties, credit advertising, billing practices, credit cards, debt collection, credit reports, and false, unfair and deceptive practices.

CONTENTIOUS CRIMINAL PROCEDURES (2 credits)
Explores selected topics associated with Constitutional criminal procedure such as Fourth Amendment issues, the exclusionary rule, and the reach of Miranda, in the context of effective trial and appellate advocacy.

CONTRACTS (5 credits)
Deals with the elements and requirements of contracts and with questions relating to the enforcement of contracts.

CONVEYANCING (3 credits)
Considers all aspects of real estate transactions, including negotiations, contracts, title requirements, delivery of closing documents, and post-closing remedies.

COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS (2 credits)
Analyzes the legal protections afforded artistic creativity. It examines the rights, formalities, and varied subject matter involved in copyright and trademark law, with particular emphasis on emerging legal doctrines.

CORPORATE AND BUSINESS FINANCE (3 credits)
Examines the legal rules and strategic implications of various corporate and commercial business transactions. Prerequisite: Business Associations.

CORPORATE IN-HOUSE COUNSEL (3 credits)
Introduces students to the special skills and knowledge required to practice in the fish-bowl environment of corporate legal management, where the clients are often as well informed as the lawyer and are looking for preventive legal advice and cost-effective problem solving. Prerequisite: Business Associations.

CORPORATE TAXATION (3 credits)
Examines the rules governing federal income taxation of business corporations.

CREATING A SMALL OR SOLO PRACTICE (2 credits)
Analyzes the small or solo practice as an occupational alternative. The pros and cons of going it alone or associating with other solo practitioners are thoroughly reviewed. The complications and stress which universally attend partnership are explored in depth.

CREATING AND REPRESENTING NEW BUSINESSES (3 credits)
Examines the business problems entrepreneurs face in creating and successfully operating new businesses.

CRIMINAL APPEALS (2 credits)
Focuses upon successful advocacy in writing and arguing appeals of criminal cases.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE CLINIC (3 credits)
Teaches students how to defend criminal cases in Massachusetts.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE STRATEGIES (3 credits)
Focuses on strategies employed to successfully represent criminal defendants in cases currently being litigated.

CRIMINAL LAW (3 credits)
Focuses on the elements of crimes and their defenses.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (3 credits)
Analyzes procedural questions relating to criminal law, including such constitutional issues as self-incrimination, search and seizure, right to counsel, and admissibility of confessions.

CYBERSPACE & INTERNET LAW (3 credits)
This course explores legal challenges presented by the Internet, communications and information technologies. We will address, in particular, the interaction of emerging legal and technological rules for the Information Society of the 21st Century. Topics include governance, jurisdiction, intellectual property, privacy and electronic commerce.

DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE (3 credits)
Taught by district court judges, this course focuses upon effective advocacy in Massachusetts District Courts.

DISTRICT COURT PROSECUTION (3 credits)
Taught by an assistant district attorney, this course focuses on effective advocacy in Massachusetts District Courts.

DRAFTING & PROSECUTING PATENT AND TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS (2 or 3 credits)
Explores the practical fundamentals of drafting and prosecuting patent and trademark applications through the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including assessment of feasibility and patentability based on the laws governing novelty, utility, and non-obviousness.

DRAFTING CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS I AND II (3 credits each)
Teaches students to draft contracts, ranging from simple ones to complex ones. Students study requisite techniques and requirements of drafting, and regularly draft sample agreements.

DRAFTING WILLS AND TRUSTS (2 credits)
Teaches students to draft simple wills, reciprocal wills, pourover wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, Medicaid trusts, and other estate planning documents. Prerequisite: Wills and Trusts.

EDUCATION LAW (3 credits)
Surveys the laws affecting public and private educational institutions at all levels. Issues covered include collective bargaining, tort liability, and student rights.

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION LAW (3 credits)
Analyzes the federal and state laws dealing with discrimination in the work place.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (3 credits)
Analyzes the nature and causes of environmental pollution and of emerging legal techniques for its control.

ERISA (3 credits)
Examines the rights and duties of employers and employees under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

ESTATE TAXATION (3 credits)
Examines Massachusetts and federal estate tax provisions and planning issues arising under them.

EVIDENCE (3 credits)
Surveys the rules governing the use of evidence in trials.

FACTUAL INVESTIGATION (2 credits)
Addresses the need for attorneys to find information, both by examining archival material and interviewing witnesses. Also addresses the legal and ethical requirements guiding an attorney’s own investigation, and techniques of delegation and supervision when the attorney is required to relinquish investigation to a licensed professional.

FAMILY LAW ADVOCACY CLINIC (3 or 6 credits)
Provides upper-level students with hands-on clinical experience representing clients under attorney supervision in the diverse areas of family law practice in Massachusetts.

FAMILY LAW (3 credits)
Analyzes the legal rules governing marriage, divorce, distribution of marital property, child custody, adoption and children’s rights.

FAMILY LAW MEDIATION AND NEGOTIATION (3 credits)
Educates and trains the student in the art of mediation and negotiation using family law, divorce, guardianship, probate and custody issues as a focus. Prerequisite: Family Law.

FEDERAL CRIMES (3 credits)
Examines federal crimes and the practice of criminal law in federal courts, with an emphasis on conspiracy, drug and white-collar crimes, forfeiture, sentencing, and selected rules of procedure and evidence as they interplay with the prosecution and defense of federal crimes.

FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS (3 credits)
Analyzes the federal laws governing the workplace, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, OSHA, ERISA, the Drug-Free Workplace Act, and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (2 or 3 credits)
Examines the problems of financial institutions, including banks, savings and loan and insurance companies.

FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR THE FAMILY (2 or 3 credits)
Surveys the many complex issues relating to family financial planning. Trusts, wills, cohabitation agreements, prenuptial and separation agreements, and estate plans are considered.

FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES (3 credits)
Focuses upon First Amendment issues such as defamation, invasion of privacy, obscenity, ownership of speech, flag burning, prior restraint, and reporters’ privileges.

FRANCHISE LAW (3 credits)
Focuses on state and federal statutes and case law dealing with franchisors and franchisees.

GETTING ELECTED AND ENACTING LEGISLATION (3 credits)
Examines how legislation is created within the political process, and how candidates pursue election through fundraising and political organization.

HEALTH CARE LAW (3 credits)
Examines the American health care system, including the organization and regulation of health care institutions.

IMMIGRATION LAW (2 credits)
Focuses on immigration law and policy, the rights of aliens, and administration and enforcement of the immigration laws by executive agencies.

INDEPENDENT LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP (3 credits)
Students in this course write a significant research paper.

INDEPENDENT THREE-HOUR STUDY (3 credits)
A student in this course writes a significant research paper on a topic of his or her choice under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisites: 45 credits, Evidence, Motions, no academic probation during prior 2 semesters.

INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS (3 credits)
Focuses on the laws governing the workplace, including legal rules dealing with fair employment, discrimination, wrongful termination and occupational safety.

INDIVIDUAL TAXATION (3 credits)
A study of the rules governing federal income taxation of individuals.

INSURANCE LAW (3 credits)
Explores legal issues of insurance, such as risk classification, indemnity, insurable interests, subrogation, rights at variance with policy provisions, and claims processes.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (2-3 credits)
Surveys the laws involving patents, trademarks and copyrights and their interrelation with the legal areas of contracts, torts, and property law.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS (3 credits)
Examines the laws, doctrines, and regulations governing international business transactions.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE (3 credits)
Focuses on topics involving international banking, the balance of payments, exchange rate fluctuations, and the role of the World Bank in international financing.

INTERNATIONAL LAW (3 credits)
Introduces the student to aspects of the legal structure of international relations, exploring issues involving jurisdiction, sovereign immunity and international conflict resolution.

INTERVIEWING AND COUNSELLING (2 credits)
This hands-on course trains students to interview and counsel effectively. Instructional techniques include videotaped roleplaying, student observation, and critiques by the instructor.

INTRODUCTION TO E-COMMERCE (3 credits)
Examines the law and policy issues involved in the conduct of business and advertising over the internet.

INTRODUCTION TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW (3 credits)
Examines domestic and international common carrier, cable television, spectrum allocation and technology issues.

INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET (3 credits)
Trains students to use Internet browsers and search engines, e-mail accounts, word-processing programs, and case and time management software.

JUDICIAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (3 or 6 credits)
Selected students work with Superior, District, and Probate Court judges in Massachusetts, researching and writing memoranda and decisions, and assisting judges during hearings and trials. Prerequisites: 45 credits, Evidence, not on academic probation during the prior 2 semesters, a grade point average of at least 2.5, and certification under Rule 3.03.

JUVENILE LAW (3 credits)
Examines the juvenile justice system, its philosophy, purpose and structure. Neglect and abuse cases, status offenses, and juvenile delinquency proceedings are covered, with special attention to children’s rights.

LABOR ARBITRATION (3 credits)
This course deals with labor arbitration cases and the laws governing labor arbitration.

LAND USE REGULATION (3 credits)
Analyzes the legal doctrines governing use of land in modern society. Attention is devoted to zoning, land use planning, subdivision regulations, rezoning, variances, environmental restrictions, conditional uses, and mandatory dedications.

LANDLORD-TENANT LAW (3 credits)
A study of issues arising between owners of property and their lessees, with emphasis on specific Massachusetts statutes and judicial decisions.

LAW AND PSYCHIATRY: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL ASPECTS (3 credits)
Addresses significant areas of interaction between the legal and psychiatric disciplines, including the insanity defense, civil commitment, and the right to treatment.

THE LAW OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE (3 credits)
Focuses on the laws covering search and seizure, the privilege against self-incrimination, and the right to counsel during police custody interrogations.

LEGAL ETHICS AND THE CULTURE OF LAW (3 credits)
Analyzes the ethical rules governing the legal profession and the conduct of lawyers and law firms.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING (2 or 3 credits)
Students in this course study models of the legislative process, the actual operation of legislative structures, delegation of legislative power, and the application and interpretation of statutes.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW (3 credits)
Examines statutes and case law relating to the powers and duties of municipalities.

MASSACHUSETTS CONSUMER PROTECTION (2 credits)
Deals deals with Massachusetts laws and regulations governing such topics as truth in lending, warranties, credit advertising, billing practices, credit cards, debt collection, credit reports, and false, unfair and deceptive practices.

MASSACHUSETTS EVIDENCE (2 credits)
Taught by a judge, this course focuses on the practical and effective use of Massachusetts rules of evidence.

MASSACHUSETTS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION (2 credits)
Examines the case law, statutes, and regulations governing workers’ compensation in Massachusetts.

MEDIATION, CONCILIATION, AND NEGOTIATION SKILLS TRAINING (2 credits)
Focuses upon training students to mediate and negotiate assorted legal problems.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE (3 credits)
Examines various issues in medical liability, including causation, damages, claims against multiple defendants, and examination and cross-examination of medical experts.

MENTAL HEALTH TRIAL ADVOCACY (3 credits)
Provides students with a practical understanding of the issues surrounding mental health advocacy, including forced medication, commitment, and competency hearings.

MILITARY LAW (3 credits)
Examines the constitutional and other rights of members of the armed services, the military criminal justice system, the law of armed conflict, and veterans’ benefits issues.

MOTIONS AND LITIGATION PRACTICE (2 credits)
Teaches students how to draft the various special documents used in trial courts and helps them to refine their legal writing skills by drafting concise, clear, and effective pleadings. Prerequisite: Research & Writing II.

NEGOTIATION IN THE LEGAL CONTEXT (2 credits)
Surveys leading theories and common practices of legal negotiators. Emphasis will be placed on weekly exercises designed to enhance negotiating skills.

NEW ENGLAND LAW AND PRACTICE (3 credits)
This class is designed to give MSL students, trained in the law and practice of the Commonwealth, a glimpse at the law and practice of other New England States. Comparisons between specific procedural rules and forms as well as specific statutes encountered by general practitioners in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut shall be made on a per topic basis.

NEW HAMPSHIRE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE (2 credits)
This course focuses upon the rules governing the practice of law in New Hampshire.

ORAL ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION (3 credits)
An intensive course in communication and advocacy. Fundamental skills of communication, drama, and speech are stressed. Reviews of student performances on videotape, demonstrations and discussions are utilized to hone students’ advocacy and communication skills.

PATENT LAW AND PATENT APPLICATION PRACTICE (2 credits)
This course focuses exclusively on substantive patent law, patent claims drafting, and patent applications and prosecution through the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

PRIVATE SECTOR LABOR LAW (3 credits)
Examines the rights and liabilities of employers and employees in the traditional context of the private sector.

PRODUCTS LIABILITY (3 credits)
Examines the law relating to suits against manufacturers and distributors of defective products.

PROPERTY LAW (5 credits)
Analyzes the legal principles governing personal property and real estate.

PROSECUTION AND ADJUDICATION (3 credits)
Focuses upon pre-trial and post-trial strategies in criminal proceedings.

PUBLIC SECTOR LABOR LAW (3 credits)
Examines the regulation of labor and management relations in the public sector, including the right to organize, the scope of the duty to bargain, and the right to strike.

PUBLISHING AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW (3 credits)
Focuses on the common law and federal and state statutory protections afforded to authors, artists, and entertainers.

REAL ESTATE FINANCING AND CONVEYANCING (3 credits)
Examines the financing of commercial and large scale residential real estate projects, from the perspective of both the lender and the developer.

REAL ESTATE TAXATION (3 credits)
Examines the federal and Massachusetts tax laws governing real estate transactions.

REMEDIES (3 credits)
A study of contemporary problems both inside and outside the court system, as well as an historical review of the principles applicable to contract and tort actions, unjust enrichment, equitable doctrines, damages and restitution.

RESEARCH AND WRITING I & II (3 credits each)
Trains students to perform legal research and to write legal memoranda and briefs.

RESTITUTION (3 credits)
Focuses upon remedies available to rectify unjust enrichment, particularly in cases where tort and contract remedies are not available or are insufficient.

SECURED TRANSACTIONS (3 credits)
Focuses upon the law of secured transactions under article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

SECURITIES REGULATION (3 credits)
Examines federal and state regulations of securities, including disclosure requirements, public and private offerings, and remedies and liabilities.

SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW (3 credits)
Provides a comprehensive review of the field of representation of athletes and artists, including negotiations, contract development and long range impact of personal services contracts.

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (2 credits)
Explores the legal, strategic, and practical factors involved in deciding to rely on state constitutional law in addition to or in lieu of federal constitutional claims.

STATE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS (3 credits)
Focuses upon state common law and statutes establishing employee rights and remedies.

STATUTORY RIGHTS OF UNION MEMBERS (3 credits)
Examines the federal and state statutory rights afforded union members.

SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS PRACTICE (3 credits)
Teaches oral and written advocacy before federal courts of appeal, the United States Supreme Court, and state supreme courts. Prerequisite: Research & Writing II.

TORTS (4 credits)
Focuses on the law governing liability for physical and economic injuries that one person causes another.

UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE (4 credits)
Focuses on the laws governing commercial transactions.

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES (2 credits)
Reviews white collar criminal issues, including securities fraud, mail fraud, environmental crimes, and illegal campaign contributions.

WILLS AND TRUSTS (4 credits)
Deals with the statutes and common law governing wills and trusts.

WOMEN AND THE LAW (2 credits)
Examines the historical and contemporary treatment of women by and under the Constitution, statutes, and common law.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PAYMENTS (3 credits)
Examines the no-fault worker’s compensation laws of Massachusetts and other states, as well as the laws concerning social security disability.

WRITING FOR LAWYERS (3 credits)
Designed to help students refine their writing skills, this course is taught in an intensive, workshop style.