Course Offerings: Course Catalog

This course is intended for students interested in pursuing careers in litigation. This trial advocacy concentration provides advanced practical techniques and promotes mastery of the courtroom. Utilizing case strategies, students will hone their courtroom skills by presenting simulated trials and learning proper utilization of technology during different phases of trial. Students will be introduced to a variety of witnesses, including expert testimony, and learn effective methods for examination. Writing assignments will focus on advanced procedural and evidentiary issues. Class size will be limited. Prerequisite: Trial Advocacy or STEP or permission of the professor.

Units: 2 , Offered: Fall 2019

The purpose of this course is to help students learn approaches to negotiation and conflict resolution, and to understand various dispute resolution processes, principally mediation and arbitration. Students will be exposed to simulated negotiations and mediations and will be expected to participate in exercises and to act as advocates and/or mediators. Guest lecturers may include a hostage negotiator, an aikido master, a retired superior court judge now serving as a JAMS mediator, and prominent mediators and arbitrators. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement. Prerequisite: Civil Procedure I and II.

Units: 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Spring 2019

The course is a practical skills class which involves a semester-long simulated negotiation of a business transaction between a U.S. multinational pharmaceutical corporation and a company in a developing African nation which has a raw material necessary for a new drug. Although the fundamental purpose of the course is to convey practical lessons that are transferable to any business transaction, the course will involve a simulated negotiation between two groups of GGU students. Each team will "represent" one of the two fictional parties to the transaction for the entire semester. Teams of students will work together to produce written communications and lead live negotiations. Course instruction includes negotiations skills, possible structures for the transaction, and a financial analysis of the facts and how that information influences the structure and negotiation of the transaction. Previous or concurrent enrollment in Business Associations is required. This course counts toward the Certificates of Specialization for both Business Law and Intellectual Property Law.

Units: 3

Students handle every aspect of pretrial preparation of a civil lawsuit. They proceed from the initial client contact, through formulating client representational strategy, to developing a case theory. They draft all the case pleadings as well as motions challenging the sufficiency of the pleadings. The course ends with a pre-trial settlement conference.

Units: 2

Criminal Litigation is designed to give students a thorough examination of each stage in the lifespan of a criminal case. The course will be begin with a spirited discussion over how and when charges are filed, explore pre-trial motions to admit and suppress evidence, and give the students hands-on training for conducting voir dire. The goal of the course is to preview for students what criminal litigators do on an everyday basis.

Units: 2 , Offered: Fall 2019

This is a competitive placement, one student is selected each semester by DOJ. The student will have the opportunity to complete an internship with the Department of Justice Tax Division office in San Francisco, working directly with attorneys on both civil and criminal tax cases. Interested students should contact the director of the LLM in Taxation and Estate Planning Programs, for more information. Prerequisite: Characterization of Income & Expenditures and Federal Tax Procedure. This course is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Offered through the LLM in Taxation Program. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement for JD students

Units: 2 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

A judge's first impression of a lawyer is often based on the quality of his or her papers. That impression had better be a good one. This course, taught by a superior court judge, will teach students how to effectively draft motions and argue them in a real-world setting. Utilizing a variety of fact patterns, students will develop a portfolio of written work and will receive feedback aimed at building confidence in courtroom advocacy.

Units: 2 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019

The Environmental Law & Justice Clinic (ELJC) is an in-house clinic, which provides students with intensive training and hands-on lawyering experience. Under close faculty supervision, students provide legal representation on matters addressing environmental justice, including enforcement of environmental laws and formulating energy justice policies. Clinic students are certified under State Bar of California rules to perform many of the tasks of an attorney: they interview clients, develop legal strategies, draft legal documents, and counsel clients. They may also appear at hearings and negotiate with opposing parties. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement. Corequisite: Evidence. Special scheduling arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis for night students.

Units: 2 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Spring 2019

The Estate Planning Externship is a course, providing students with the opportunity to assist estate planning law firms and practitioners while obtaining hands-on, practical experience working on estate plans, conservatorships, trust and probate administrations. The course consists of two components: class and field work. The instructors are estate planning attorneys. The class will meet approximately every other week, to discuss substantive questions and practical hurdles, arising from their field work. Students are required to maintain and share journals, chronicling their weekly experiences, questions, and concerns. The class culminates with a paper/presentation. In the field component, each student is placed with an estate planning law firm or with a practitioner in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and shall complete 90 hours (2 units) or 135 hours (3 units) of field work over the span of the 15 week semester. The field work involves working on active cases in the areas of estate planning, conservatorships, trust and probate administrations. Prerequisites for LLM students: None. Prerequisites for JD students: Wills & Trusts. This course is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis and offered through the LLM in Taxation and Estate Planning Programs. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement for JD students.

Units: 1 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

A two-unit course designed to help you master and properly utilize the California rules of evidence. Practical work will empower and propel victory at trial with both judge and jury. You will use the evidence code, brain cognition theory, hands-on practice, research, and experiential and spontaneous problem solving skills during actual trial situations to ensure that your story prevails. You will gain comfort, expertise and the expansive ability to improvise, adapt and overcome the unexpected events that occur during trial. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement. Prerequisite: Evidence and Trial Advocacy.

Units: 2

This course is open to students who are repeating an externship in the same field of practice. It is online-only, and includes both webinar and field work components. Online, students build on skills developed in prior externships, engage in discussion, and reflect on progressive goals and performance. In the field, students continue their practice in criminal or civil litigation, transactional work, or in their judicial placements. Fieldwork does not need to be in the same office as the previous externship. All sessions are online-only. Students may earn 2-8 credits per semester. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll and is subject to approval by the Externships Director. The deadline is posted on the externships web page found at law.ggu.edu/clinics-and-centers/externships.

Units: 2 - 8 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

This course includes both classroom and field work components. In class, students work toward effectiveness in the field by developing skills, engaging in discussion, and reflecting on goals and performance. In the field, students practice civil litigation or transactional work at private or non-profit law offices, government agencies, or in the legal departments of businesses. During fall and spring semesters, class meets on six Mondays from 4:30-6:10 PM. Three classes meet on campus. Three classes meet by webinar. During the summer session, class entails a full-day orientation class and online component, rather than six separate class meetings. Students may earn 2-8 credits and the class is offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll and is subject to approval by the Externships Director. The deadline is posted on the externships web page found at law.ggu.edu/clinics-and-centers/externships.

Units: 2 - 8 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

This course includes both classroom and field work components held at the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco. In class, students learn how to defend against debt-collection lawsuits. In the field, students engage in a clinical practice with attorney supervision as they advocate for clients sued by creditors. The classes and clinics are held on selected Wednesday evenings and also on the last Saturday of the month. Students earn 2 credits, but those who are certified by the State Bar's Practical Training of Law Students program may petition instructor for a third credit. This course is offered in Spring and is restricted to part-time students during priority registration. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Students may enroll directly without additional externship application via GGU4You.

Units: 2 , Offered: Spring 2019

This course includes both classroom and field work components. In class, students work toward effectiveness in the field by developing skills, engaging in discussion, and reflecting on goals and performance. In the field, students practice criminal litigation in private practice or government agencies. During fall and spring semesters, class meets on six Mondays from 4:30-6:10 PM. Three classes meet on campus. Three classes meet by webinar. During the summer session, class entails a full-day orientation class and online component, rather than six separate class meetings. Students may earn 2-8 credits. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll and is subject to approval by the Externships Director. The deadline is posted on the externships web page found at law.ggu.edu/clinics-and-centers/externships Co-requisite: Evidence.

Units: 2 - 8 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

This course includes both classroom and field work components held at Golden Gate University and the LGBT Asylum Project. In class, students learn the intricacies of immigration law practice. In the field, students engage in a clinical experience with attorney supervision as they work with clients who are seeking relief in the form of asylum, U-visas, and other humanitarian relief. The classes and clinics are held on Thursday evenings and four Saturdays during the semester. This course is offered only in Spring, and part-time students receive priority registration. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Students must submit the required Application by the deadline to enroll and all Applications are subject to approval by the Externship Director. The Application deadline is posted on the externships web page found at law.ggu.edu/clinics-and-centers/externships. Prerequisite: LAW 842A or LAW 842D or LAW 706A, or receive approval from the Externship Director.

Units: 2 - 3

This course includes both classroom and field work components. In class, students work toward effectiveness in the field by developing skills, engaging in discussion, and reflecting on goals and performance. In the field, students practice research, writing, and engage with the neutral aspect of litigation. During fall and spring semesters, class meets on six Mondays from 4:30-6:10 PM. Three classes meet on campus. Three classes meet by webinar. During the summer session, class entails a full-day orientation class and online component, rather than six separate class meetings. Minimum G.P.A. requirements are 2.5 for state court and 2.75 for federal court. Students may earn 2-8 credits. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll and is subject to approval by the Externships Director. The deadline is posted on the externships web page found at law.ggu.edu/clinics-and-centers/externships. Prerequisite: Evidence.

Units: 2 - 8 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

This course focuses on the skills necessary to carry on a basic family law practice in California. Students prepare and argue motions, learn trial skills, and practice using the most popular computer programs for setting child support according to the detailed provisions of the Family Code. Students also develop parenting and child visitation plans, calculate spousal support, and learn various methods of dividing community property. Priority is given to graduating students. Prior completion of Family Law and Community Property is recommended, but not required, and may also be taken concurrently. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement.

Units: 2 , Offered: Spring 2019

This introduction to immigration and naturalization law and procedure examines major immigration policies and covers immigration and naturalization statutes, regulations, major administrative and court decisions, and constitutional rights as affected by alienage. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement.

Units: 3 , Offered: Fall 2019

This course brings the legal principles learned in introductory courses into the real world of litigation, from the moment a new client calls to the eve of trial. Students will learn to think, write, and advocate like a litigator through interactive exercises. In this hands-on course students will write motions, present oral argument, develop a trial book, create a case budget, and learn the fine art of persuasion. To the extent that pre-trial strategies are designed for end-game outcomes-settlement, trial, or appeal-those phases of litigation will be more briefly discussed. Students will also learn what daily life is like in a litigating law office, and become better able to plan their career path in the law.

Units: 1

Apply the skills learned in Trial Advocacy in the context of a criminal case. The class is divided into trial teams assigned to prosecution or defense. The class begins with the staging of a mock crime, it is reported, a suspect is arrested, charges are filed, and the prosecution commences. The class proceeds through major phases of a criminal trial.

Units: 1 , Offered: Spring 2019

Most civil lawsuits are won and lost in discovery. Develop a strong foundation for one of the most critical phases of civil pretrial discovery - the deposition. Learn techniques and strategies developed to maximize your time during a deposition and to get at the heart of the other side's case. This course will cover how to prepare for a deposition, effectively use documents during a deposition, deal with difficult counsel, and defend against a deposition.

Units: 1 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

In this class you will develop core competencies in eDiscovery, and learn to manage the risks associated with identification, preservation, collection and production of electronically stored information (ESI). ESI comprises approximately 90% of documents produced in a litigation (emails, network databases, Word, excel, social media and cellular data), and ESI significantly increases in volume and complexity with each passing year. Leave this course with an understanding of how to satisfy your eDiscovery obligations under Federal and California law.

Units: 1 , Offered: Spring 2019

You've lived with the case for years, immersed in every little detail. But now it's time for trial: what will a jury think? This course will teach you how to think through your case like a juror and prepare it for a lay audience, how to write and conduct effective voir dire to identify (and strike) problematic or biased jurors, and how to strategically select the best jury you can.

Units: 1 , Offered: Fall 2019

Learn the secrets, shortcuts and pitfalls from an experienced litigator. Gain hands-on experience and outsmart your opponents while avoiding discovery sanctions. You will practice draft and defend written discovery.

Units: 1 , Offered: Spring 2019

This course focuses on the primary legal and procedural requirements for preparing and prosecuting patent applications under federal law. The course is designed to introduce students to the main legal doctrines of the patent preparation and prosecution practice, as well as the strategic considerations underlying the lawyering process in this area of intellectual property law. A core component of this course is the use of simulations that require students to complete both written and oral assignments that emulate actual legal practice in patent preparation and prosecution, and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Students will receive extensive feedback on assignments in order to enhance active learning of legal skills, legal writing skills, and professional development. Among the assignments, students may practice drafting patent applications, responding to office actions, performing patentability searches, and preparing client letters. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement.

Units: 2 , Offered: Spring 2019

This course focuses on the primary legal and procedural requirements for registering, maintaining, exploiting, and enforcing trademarks and copyrights under federal law. The course is designed to introduce students to the main legal doctrines of trademark and copyright transactional practice, as well as the strategic considerations underlying the lawyering process in these areas of intellectual property law. A core component of this course is the use of simulations that require students to complete both written and oral assignments that emulate actual legal practice in trademark and copyright prosecution, and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Copyright Office. Students will receive extensive feedback on assignments in order to enhance active learning of legal skills, legal writing skills, and professional development. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement.

Units: 2 , Offered: Fall 2019

This is a competitive placement as an unpaid law clerk with the Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel in San Francisco or San Jose. Selected students will work directly with IRS counsel on pending Tax Court, collection and other current cases. The placement may be with either SB/SE and LMSB divisions. An IRS background check is required before beginning the internship; interested students should submit a resume and cover letter to the Associate Dean of the Tax LLM Program at the beginning of the semester prior to semester in which the student seeks the internship. Recommended: Federal Tax Procedure; Characterization of Income and Expenditures. This course is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Offered through the LLM in Taxation Program. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement for JD students.

Units: 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

The IRS Litigation clinic provides the opportunity to defend the Internal Revenue Service before the United States Tax Court. Students will be assigned cases (with the supervision of IRS attorneys) under the Small Case Procedures of the Tax Court which are set for a trial session toward the end of the semester. The trial preparation work may include communicating and meeting with taxpayers (or their representatives), drafting court documents and identifying litigation hazards for settlements. The culmination of the course is the representation of the IRS in Tax Court. Courtroom work may include presenting settlements, arguing motions, or a trial. The clinic is for CR/NC. There are no course prerequisites however, Federal Tax Procedure and/or Tax Litigation is recommended. US Citizenship, a criminal background check, and a tax compliance check are required, with applications due approximately one month before the start of the semester. Offered through the LLM in Taxation Program. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director. JD students are required to concurrently register for LAW 896A Externship: Civil Field Placement. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement for JD students.

Units: 1 - 3

Trust and estate practice is filled with actual and potential conflicts among close and distant family members and other interested persons. Effectively identifying and addressing these unique types and causes of conflicts are essential to a successful trust and estate practice. This course will enable the practitioner to sharpen his/her existing skills in dealing with these conflicts and disputes and equip the practitioner with new tools and methods for creative non-adversarial resolution. The students will learn by using real case scenarios in an interactive classroom setting that includes dispute resolution role-play. (Offered through the LLM in Taxation Program. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director. This course meets the Experiential Learning requirement for JD students.)

Units: 2 , Offered: Spring 2019

In practice and in our lives - negotiation is a critical skill. This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of negotiation. Students will acquire a systematic framework for understanding negotiations, develop negotiation skills to create and distribute value through simulation exercises and discussion, and develop awareness of their strengths and opportunities for growth as a negotiator. There will be required readings for each class and a number of short written assignments related to particular classes and simulation exercises. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement. Prerequisite: Civil Procedure I and II.

Units: 3

The Sales and Use Tax Clinic is a hands-on clinic where students will gain real world experience, allowing them to apply what they are learning in the classroom to actual client cases. Under the supervision of an attorney, students will represent actual clients who are appealing Sales and Use Tax assessments issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Students will have the opportunity to gain practical legal skills including: client interview and counseling, gathering evidence, preparing legal briefs, performing case strategy, as well as negotiating with auditors and settlement attorneys from the CDTFA. Furthermore, when necessary, students will have the opportunity to represent clients in a litigation setting. And although the cases involve tax issues, students do not need to be focused on tax law to participate. This course is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis and is offered through the LLM in Taxation Program. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director.

Units: 1 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

Under supervision of an attorney from the California Franchise Tax Board's Taxpayer Rights Advocate Office, students assist taxpayers with state income tax disputes against the state of California. Students receive legal practice skills training, including gathering and identifying evidence, drafting legal briefs, and representing clients/taxpayers in negotiations with the Franchise Tax Board and at oral hearings. This course is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis and is offered through the LLM in Taxation Program. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director.

Units: 1 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

This is a competitive placement as an unpaid law clerk with the Probate Department of the California Superior Court. Selected students will work directly with the probate judge, probate examiners, court investigators, and courtroom staff on pending estate, trust, and conservatorship cases. The externs will get hands-on Probate Court experience from the judicial perspective. The course provides invaluable insight for future estate planners. Recommended: Wills & Trusts or Probate Procedure. This course is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Offered through the LLM in Taxation Program. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement for JD students.

Units: 2 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

Clinical fieldwork in a tax practice may be performed under the supervision of a practicing attorney. Students must petition to program director for approval. This course is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. (Offered through the LLM in Taxation and Estate Planning programs. JD students seeking to enroll must obtain the approval of the program director.) This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement for JD students.

Units: 1 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019

This is the entry course for the litigation program, and it teaches the basic skills needed by every lawyer going to court: conducting a direct examination of a witness, introducing documents and physical evidence, cross-examining witnesses, making and answering objections, and preparing opening statements and closing arguments. Much of the students' work is videotaped. The final examination for this course is a full trial conducted in a local courthouse. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement. Prerequisite/Corequisite (depending on the instructor): Evidence.

Units: 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Spring 2019

Specifically-designed for the Summer Trial and Evidence Program (1st STEP), this course combines the courses of trial advocacy and evidence in the courtroom, as well as presentation and acting techniques from a theater instructor. In the trial advocacy part, students learn the basic skills needed by every lawyer going to court: conducting a direct examination of a witness, introducing documents and physical evidence, cross-examining witnesses, making and answering objections, and preparing opening statements and closing arguments. In the evidence in the courtroom part, students learn that the rules of evidence dictate the manner of criminal and civil trials. Students will learn how arguments under the rules of evidence and evidentiary rulings play out in the courtroom. This course connects the rules of evidence and evidentiary determinations with the skills of trial advocacy. The final examination for this course is a full trial. Corequisite (within 1st STEP): Evidence. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement.

Units: 5 , Offered: Summer 2019

Students in this multi-disciplinary on campus program will learn and practice veterans disability law and procedure and represent actual clients before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under attorney supervision, students will engage in client interviews, attorney-client communications and relationship, evidence gathering, factual investigation, legal research, case strategy, and objective and persuasive legal writing. Students will gain practical experience in veterans and administrative law. Through direct client services, students are exposed to many issues facing indigent clients beyond their interactions with the military. Students are expected to be thoroughly prepared and zealously represent their client. After completion of the course, students will have practiced and experienced many aspects of attorney-client representation, and the undertaking of a legal matter from its initial beginnings to completion. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement. Previous or concurrent enrollment in LAW 776D- Veterans Legal Advocacy Seminar required.

Units: 2 - 4 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Summer 2019 , Spring 2019

Students represent low-income clients with employment-related problems in areas including unpaid wages, discrimination and harassment, pregnancy disability, family and medical leave, and unemployment benefits. The clinic operates as a law office, with students practicing under direct faculty supervision. Clinic students must simultaneously enroll in the Women's Employment Rights Seminar (LAW-885S). This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement. Prerequisites: All first-year courses. Prerequisite: All first-year courses. Corequisite: Evidence. Consent of the instructor is required for Clinic enrollment. Corequisite: Evidence. Consent of the instructor is required for Clinic enrollment.

Units: 2 - 3 , Offered: Fall 2019 , Spring 2019