Course Descriptions
Below is an alphabetical listing of courses that are or have been offered at the Sturm College of Law. Not all courses are offered every year.
In the full alphabetical listing, click on the course number to view the description in the University of Denver Graduate Bulletin.
Special topics courses (with course numbers 4700-4709) and courses that do not have course numbers listed do not have descriptions available in the Bulletin. If a current course description is available for a course without a Bulletin link, it will appear in the Special Topics Courses section below.
To view archived course descriptions for a particular past term, login to MyDU. In the myWeb section, you can view archived course descriptions by selecting the specific term you would like to view.
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Alphabetical Course Listing
A Diverse Judiciary
ABA Representation in Mediation Competition
ABA Trial Team | L5028
Access to Justice
Accounting and Financial Management for the Legal Administrator | M4410
Accounting for Income Taxes | T4625
Accounting for Lawyers | L4006
Accounting for the Small Legal Practice | L4002
Administrative Law | L4025
ADR for the Court Flow and Law Firm Administrators | M4640
Advanced Clinical Pedagogy & Design | L4931
Advanced Contract Interpretation
Advanced Corporate Law | L47xx
Advanced Criminal Practice Practicum
Advanced Legal Writing and Research | L4651
Advanced Research Techniques for Legal Scholarship
Advanced Tax Procedure | T4024
Advanced Torts: Defamation and Privacy
Advancing Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Legal Profession | L47xx
Advancing Social Change Clinic
Advising the Adviser: Compliance and Enforcement under the Investment Advisers Act | L4867
Advocacy for Workers
Agency, Partnership & the LLC | L4048
Agriculture, Food Systems and Environmental Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution | L4060
American Association for Justice Trial Team | L5027
American Legal History | L4065
American Legal Systems, Research, and Writing | L47xx
Anatomy of a Transaction | L47xx
Animal Activist Legal Defense Project
Animal Law Practicum
Animal Law Survey | L4119
Animal Rights | L4019
Animal Rights Jurisprudence
Animal Rights Jurisprudence in Practice
Animals, Food Law & the Constitution
Antitrust and Unfair Competition | L4070
Appellate Advocacy | L4003
Applied Leadership and Management Theory | M4151
Asset Management Regulation
Asylum Law | L47xx
Asylum Law and Advocacy Practicum | L47xx
Banking Law | L4470
Bankruptcy | L4090
Basic Tax (Business Emphasis) | L47xx
Basic Tax | L4100
Biglaw - The Practice of Large Law Firms
Bioethics and the Law
Building Envelope & Civil Construction Review | L4576
Business & Commercial Law Seminar | L4105 | L4485
Business Development: Marketing and Client Service | L4007 | L4089
Business Entities | L4185
Business Legal Research | L4510
Business Planning | L4110
Cannabis Externship Seminar | L5031
Capital Formation | L47xx
Capstone Externship/Project | M5010
Child Advocacy Practicum | L5031
Child Advocacy Seminar | L4807
Civil and Criminal Tax Procedure | L4489
Civil Litigation Clinic & Seminar | L4805/L4806
Civil Litigation Clinic (Advanced) | L4023
Civil Litigation Practicum | L4637
Civil Procedure (Advanced) | L4028
Civil Procedure | L4120
Civil Procedure II | L4028
Civil Rights Claims for the Spanish-Speaking Client | L47xx
Civil Rights Clinic & Seminar | L4809/L4812
Civil Rights Lawyering
Civil Trial Practice - Forensic Engineering | L4575
Civil Trial Practicum | L47xx
Client Counseling
Climate Change and Energy Transition: Comparing EU and US Law and Policy
Clinical Pedagogy & Design | L4921
Colorado Judicial Decision-Making | L47xx
Colorado Legal History & Practice | L47xx
Colorado Legal Research | L4132/L4560
Commercial Law for Foreign Investors in Guatemala | L4139
Commercial Law Survey | L4131
Commercial Paper | L4143
Commercial Space Law | L4631
Commodification and Law
Communication, Writing, and Research in Legal Business | M4380
Community Economic Development Clinic and Seminar | L4835/L4836
Community Expectations in Sustainable Development of Natural Resources | L4009
Community Innovation and Equity Project
Comparative Approaches to Freedom of Speech (Study Abroad)
Comparative Competition Law (Study Abroad)
Comparative Corporate Governance (Study Abroad)
Comparative Corporate Law Seminar | L4129
Comparative Environmental Law | L4137
Comparative Free Speech and Access to Information in the Americas | L4144
Comparative Law | L4135
Complex Civil Litigation and Case Management | L47xx
Compliance | L47xx
Computer and Internet Law | L4145
Conflict of Laws | L4160
Consolidated Returns | T4550
Constitutional Law | L4164
Constitutional Law II | L4166
Constitutional Law Writing Seminar | L4169
Constitutional Litigation | L4168
Construction Law | L4179
Consumer Financial Protection Law | L47xx
Contemporary Issues in Oil & Gas Development | L47xx
Contracts | L4175
Contracts Drafting | L4178
Copyright Law | L4214
Corporate Apprenticeship Program | L4991
Corporate Compliance | L47xx
Corporate Compliance: Money Managers and Investment Advisers | L47xx
Corporate Drafting Seminar | L4181
Corporate Social Responsibility | L4133
Corporate Taxation | T4002
Corporate Taxation I | L4186
Corporate Taxation II | L4187
Corporate Taxation III | L4188
Corporate Transactions Practicum
Corporations | L4190
Co/Shadow Supervision Practicum | L4910
Court Case Flow/Load Management | M4180
Court Communications & Media Relations | M4384
Court Fiscal Management | M4100
Court Information Technology | M4090
Court Space, Facilities and Security | M4215
Criminal Clinic (Advanced) | L4022
Criminal Defense Clinic & Criminal Defense Seminar | L4800/L4801
Criminal Justice Reform in Practice Seminar
Criminal Law | L4195
Criminal Law (Advanced) | L4018
Criminal Procedure (Advanced) | L4026
Criminal Procedure | L4200
Criminal Procedure Practicum | L47xx
Crimmigration Law Seminar | L4561
Critical Race Reading Seminar | L47xx
Critical Race Theory and Jurisprudence | L47xx
Critical Readings in Race and Water and Natural Resources Law | L47xx
Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, and Incident Response Practicum
Day One Criminal Practice Lab | L47xx
Day One: Civil Practice Lab | L4633
Death Penalty Jurisprudence | L4201
DEI in Law: Equity in Law Practice
Directed Research | L4999
Directed Research MSLA | M4999
Disability Law | L4202
Discovery Practicum | L4218
Doing Business - Latin America | L4383
Drugs, Terror, and Riots: Criminal Justice Law Seminar
E-Discovery | L4562
Economics of Natural Resource and the Environment: Policy, Markets, and Economic Measurement | L4452
Education Law | L47xx
Elder Law | L4203
Election and Campaign Finance Law
Election Law | L4236
Emerging International Standards for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources | L4014
Employment Discrimination Law | L4227
Employment Law - Benefits | L4224
Employment Law Seminar | L4229
Employment Law Survey | L4205
Energy Law | L4210
Energy & Project Finance Law | L4506
Entertainment Law | L4215
Entertainment Law: The Music Industry
Environmental and Agricultural Law | L4055
Environmental and Natural Resources Law: Concepts and Context | L47xx
Environmental Appellate Advocacy - Moot Court | L47xx
Environmental Impacts of Energy Development | L47xx
Environmental Justice | L4219
Environmental Law | L4220
Environmental Law Clinic and Seminar | L4206/L4802
Environmental Law, Energy, & Natural Resources in Indian Country | L4563
Environmental Litigation
Estate and Gift Taxation | L4225
Estate and Gift Taxation | T4025
Estate Planning | L4230/T4225
European Privacy and Information Law (Study Abroad)
European Union Environmental Law and Policy | L4037
European Union Law | L4232
Evidence | L4235
Evidence Practicum | L4237
Exempt Organizations | L4238/T4430
Exempt Organizations | T4045
Expert Report Preparation | L4574
Externship | L5025
Family Law (Adv.) | L4030
Family Law (Adv.) Complex Child Issues
Family Law (Adv.) Divorce
Family Law | L4240
Federal Courts | L4250
Federal Wildlife Law | L4251
Fiduciary Income Taxation | T4125
Financial Investments & the Aging Population | L47xx
First Amendment Law | L4051
Food and Pesticide Regulation
Food Law & Policy | L47xx
Forced Migration and Human Trafficking | L4297
Forensic Scheduling | L4572
Fundamentals of Comparative Law | M4320
Fundamentals of Taxation | T4001
Gender and the Law | L4260
Gender Identity and the Law
Gender, Policy and Law Seminar | L47xx
Global Climate Change Law and Policy | L4259
Governance Workshop: Transparency and Privacy | L4108
Government Contracts Seminar | L4265
Hazardous Waste & Toxic Substances | L4380
Health Law | L4276
Holistic Juvenile Defense and Advocacy Seminar | L5031
Holocaust Seminar | L4277
Homeless Advocacy Policy Seminar | L47xx
Hughes Research Seminar | L4280
Human Resources and Performance Management | M4121
Human Rights Law | L4290
Immigration Law & Policy Clinic | L4825/L4826
Immigration Law & the Workplace | L47xx
Immigration Law | L4295
Immigration Law - Advanced | L4298
Immigration Law in Spanish | L4564
Inclusiveness in the Legal Profession | M4181
Independent Study | T5991
Individual Tax Problems | L4292
Insurance Law | L4304
Insurance Money & Litigation Bootcamp
Intellectual Property Capstone | L4565
Intellectual Property Strategy
Intellectual Property: Patentability and Policy | L47xx
Intermediate Legal Analysis | L4015
International & Comparative Equality Law | L47xx
International & Comparative Mining Law | L4342
International & Comparative Petroleum Law | L4343
International and Comparative Legal Research | L47xx
International and Human Rights: Indigenous Peoples | L4288
International Business Negotiations
International Business Transactions | L4315
International Business Transactions: Federal Regulation | L4318
International Commercial Arbitration | L4341
International Commercial Arbitration | L4341-Shill
International Criminal Law | L47xx
International Criminal Law Practicum | L4303
International Criminal Procedure and Practice | L4348
International Dispute Resolution | L4010
International Environmental Law | L4317
International Environmental Law in Latin America | L4347
International Human Rights | L4319
International Human Rights and Non-State Actors | L47xx
International Investment | L47xx
International Investments | L4370
International Investments Arbitration Practice & Procedure | L4371
International Law | L4320
International Law and Migration | L47xx
International Law and the Use of Force | L4309
International Legal Research | L47xx
International Mergers and Acquisitions | L4351
International Practice and Procedure | L4373
International Sales | L4346
International Tax | L4344
International Taxation - Inbound | T4050
International Taxation - Outbound | T4150
International Trade Law | L4379
International Water Law | L4672
Internship | T4985
Introduction to Clinical Pedagogy and Scholarship | L4900
Introduction to Contracts and Torts | L4570
Introduction to Forensic Engineering and Construction Dispute Resolution | L4571
Introduction to Intellectual Property | L4310
Introduction to Italian Law (Study Abroad)
Introduction to Law for Non-Lawyers
Introduction to Small Practice Management | L4421
Introduction to the American Legal System | L4064
Introduction to the Regulation of Cryptoassets
Introduction to the U.S. Judicial System | M4300
IP Capstone - Trademarks | L47xx
IP Capstone: Patent Litigation
JD Internship | L4590
Jessup International Moot Court
Judicial Performance and Evaluation | M4301
Jurisprudence | L4345
Juvenile Law | L4350
Labor & Employment Legal Writing Seminar | L4011
Labor Law | L4355
Land Conservation Transactions | L4358
Land Use Planning | L4360
Land Use Planning: US and Comparative Perspectives (Study Abroad)
Latin American Law | L4362
Law and Corruption Seminar | L47xx
Law and Economics | L4365
Law and Emerging Technologies | L4376
Law and Innovation Lab
Law and Neuroscience | L4390
Law and Popular Culture | L4497
Law and Sexuality
Law and Society | L4375
Law Consortium Visit | L5999
Law Firm Administration | M4201
Law Firm Client Service and Satisfaction | M4386
Law Firm Communications and Technology | M4385
Law Firm Financial Management | M4901
Law Firm Information Technology | M4080
Law Firm Technology | M4385
Lawyer as Peacemaker | L47xx
Lawyer Recruitment, Development, and Advancement in Law Firms | M4205
Lawyering for Racial Justice | L4278
Lawyering in Spanish Boot Camp: Basic Legal Vocabulary & Immigration Law/ Curso Intensivo de Abrogacía en Español: Vocabulario Básico y Derecho Migratorio | L47xx
Lawyering Process I | L4385
Lawyering Process II | L4386
Leadership for Lawyers | L47xx
Leadership for Women in Law
Legal Analysis Strategies | L4032
Legal Databases Research | L4423
Legal English Seminar | L47xx
Legal Externship Seminar: Corporate | L5031
Legal Externship Seminar: Criminal Defense | L5031
Legal Externship Seminar: Criminal Prosecution | L5031
Legal Externship Seminar: Government Sector | L5031
Legal Externship Seminar: Judicial Placements | L5031
Legal Externship Seminar: Non Profit | L5031
Legal Externship Seminar: Private Firm | L5031
Legal Externship: Racial, Social & Economic Justice | L5031
Legal Practice Seminar | M4420
Legal Profession | L4425
Legal Profession: In-House Counsel | L47xx
Legal Research and Writing for Graduate Students | L4034
Legal Research for Practice | L4035
Legal Research Skills - Basic | L4287
Legal Research Skills - International | L4289
Legal Research Skills - Specialized | L4285
Legal Spanish for Lawyers | L4424
Legislative Drafting
Legislative Process: Institutions & Interpretations | L4382
Litigation Skills in a Bilingual World | L47xx
Litigation Technology | L4436
LLCs and Operating Agreements | L4270
LLM and Master's Internship | L4589
Lobbying Law | L4400
Local Government Law
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic | T4415
Luminarias Research Seminar on Latina | Hispanic Female Civil Rights Litigators, Judges and PAS Appointees
Marijuana Law and Policy
Marijuana Regulatory Drafting & Policy | L47xx
Mass Incarceration, Policing, and Systemic Racism
Media Law | L4433
Mediation and Arbitration Clinic | L4430
Mediation and Arbitration Clinic Seminar | L4803
Mediation Practicum | L4031
Medical Malpractice | L4444
Mental Health & Criminal Law | L47xx
Mental Health and the Law | L4440
Mergers & Acquisitions | L4411
Military and Veterans Law Practicum
Military Law | L4395
Military Law and Veterans Advocacy
Mining Law | L4445
Modern Financial Crime: Enforcement of Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Fraud, and Anti-Corruption Laws in Bitcoin Age | L47xx
Motions Practice | L4634
Movement Lawyering for Social Justice: Skill-Building Workshop | L47xx
Movement Lawyering Lab | L47xx
Multiculturalism, Race and the Law Seminar | L4446
Multinational Corporations, Corporate Social Responsibility, & International Law | L47xx
Native American Appellate Advocacy and Trial Team | L47xx
Native American Tribes and Federal Law | L4300
Native American Water Rights | L47xx
Natural Resources Law | L4450
Natural Resources Practitioner in Residence Seminar | L4464
Natural Resources Taxation | T4060
Navigating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) | L4221
Negotiating Natural Resources Agreements | L4462
Negotiation & Mediation | L4460
Negotiation and Drafting in an International Business Context | L4182
Non-Profit Organizations
Oil and Gas Law | L4465
Outdoor Recreation and Ski Law | L47xx
Partnership Taxation | L4481
Partnership Taxation | T4003
Patent Law | L4096
Patent Litigation | L4483
Patent Prosecution | L4474
Patent Prosecution and Appeals | L47xx
Planning for Closely Held Businesses | T4325
Poverty and Low-Wage Work in America | L47xx
Practicum: Health Law
Pre-Trial and Discovery Practicum | L4468
Prison Law | L47xx
Privacy Seminar | L4008
Private Equity Seminar | L4414
Private Property and the Police Power - The Role of Courts, Government, and the Constitution
Probate Practicum | L47xx
Problem Solving Courts | L47xx
Professional Ethics Seminar | L4480
Professionalism and Well-being Skills for the Effective Lawyer | L4387
Project Management | M4954
Property | L4490
Prosecutor as Protagonist | L4487
Protecting Intellectual Property in International Business Transactions | L4012/L4415
Psychiatry and the Law | L4454
Public Finance
Public Interest Capstone | L4212
Public Interest Lawyering Lab
Public Interest Practicum | L4498
Public Land and Resources Law | L4495
Public Sector Employment Law | L4410
Public Service Externship | L5035
Public Utility Regulation | L4500
Qualified Pension and Profit Sharing Plans | L4463
Race, Class and Reproductive Justice | L4378
Radical Self-Empowerment
Real Estate Transactions | L4095
Real Estate, Title & Finance | L4080
Redistricting Law
Regulating Cannabis | L47xx
Religion & Law | L47xx
Remedies | L4520
Renewable Energy for the 21st Century: Law, Policy & Markets | L4508
Renewable Energy Law | L4511
Renewable Energy Law Project
Renewable Energy Project Development and Regulation | L4509
Renewable Energy Seminar- Wind | L4280
Representing Clients Before the SEC | L4618
Representing the Marijuana Client | L4416
Representing the Spanish-Speaking Client | L4033/L4417
Russian for Lawyers | L4524
Russian for Lawyers II | L4525
S Corporations | T4015
Sales and Leases | L4526
Scholarship | L4950
Scholarship Seminar | L4905
Scholarship Seminar II | L4925
Scientific Evidence | L4660
Secured Transactions | L4530
Securities Law | L4528
Securities Law Seminar & Practicum | L4552
Securities Litigation | L4529
Securities Litigation Seminar
Semester in Practice & Semester in Practice Seminar | L5029/L5030
Sentencing Law
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law
Sexual Orientation and the Law | L4543
Sexual Orientation Law Seminar | L4262
Social Change Lawyering | L4539
Spanish for Lawyers II | L4554
Special Topics in International Taxation | T4150/T4750
Specialty Courts | M4330
Sports Law | L4545
State & Local Government | L4550
State and Local Taxation | T4590
State Constitutional Law
Statistics for the Legal Administrator | M4415
Strategic Planning in the Courts | M4950
Street Law | L4555
Survey of Trusts & Estates | L4639
Supervision Practicum II | L4920
Supervision Practicum III | L4930
Sustainable Cities Practicum | L4412
Sustainable Development and International Trade | L4556
Tax Accounting | T4035
Tax and Financial Planning | T4055
Tax Externship | T5025
Tax Planning for Closely-Held Businesses | T4325
Tax Policy Seminar
Tax Procedure | T4004
Tax Research and Writing | T4005
Taxation of Business Entities
Taxation of Mergers and Acquisitions | T4065
Taxation of Natural Resources | L4605
Taxation of Property Transactions | L4117
Taxation of Retirement Plans and Deferred Compensation | T4121
Taxation of Startups & Venture Capital | T4165
The Business of Courts | M4200
The Forge/ CED Clinic | L47xx
The Impact of Court Governance | M4050
The Sociological Study of Personal Debt and Credit
The Spanish Speaking Lawyer: Introductory Legal Skills and Vocabulary in Spanish | L4553
Thesis | L4996
Topics in Constitutional Law: First Amendment | L4051
Topics in Constitutional Law: Individual Rights | L4050
Torts | L4610
Torts (Advanced) | L4615
Trademark Law (Advanced) | L4112
Trademark Law | L4115
Transactional Negotiations
Transatlantic Climate Change and Energy Transition Law & Policy: European Union and the United States | L47xx
Trial Practice I: Basic Courtroom Skills | L4635
Trial Practice II - Discovery and Pre-Trial Skills | L47xx
Trial Practice II: Advanced Courtroom Skills | L4042
Trial Practice II: Depositions | L4013
Trial Practice II: Litigation Technology | L4436
Trial Practice II: Motions Practice | L4634
Trial Practice II: Voir Dire | L4027
Trial Practice III: Criminal Practicum
Trial Practice III: Mentor's Practicum | L4442/L4638
Trial Practice III: National Trial Team | L5026
Trial Practice III:Trial Practicum | L4085
Trial Tactics | L4413
Tribal Wills Summer Course | L47xx
Trusts and Estates | L4640
U.S. and E.U. Investment Management Regulation and Compliance | L47xx
Venture Law: Forming, Financing and Selling a Startup | L47xx
Veterans Advocacy Project | L5025
Victim's Rights | L4197
Water Court Practice | L47xx
Water Law | L4670
Water Transactions Seminar | L47xx
White Collar Crime | L4674
White Collar Crime
Wills Lab | L4686
Workplace Law Practicum: Prelitigation & Transactional Skills
Workplace Law Practicum: Sports & Law | L4418
World Judicial Systems | M4310
Youth Rights Workshop | L47xx
Special Topics Courses
The following descriptions are not listed in the DU Bulletin.
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A Diverse Judiciary | L4701
Inviting a variety of guest judges to class, U.S. Magistrate Judge Crews will use this course to facilitate talks with those judges to provide students with insight into the value of having a diverse judiciary and the role it plays in judicial decision-making and the impartiality of our courts. This course seeks to engage students on the lived experiences of diverse judicial officers both before taking the bench and while serving on it.
Credit Hours: 2
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Advancing Social Change Clinic | L4702/L4709
Students in the Advancing Social Change Clinic will partner with local and national organizations and/or policymakers who are seeking to advance racial justice. Students will be exposed to the philosophy of movement lawyering, including principles of organizing, strategic communications, and policy analysis, as well as the work involved in the drafting and passing of legislation. This course will benefit students interested in public policy, legislation, social justice, and community organizing.
Students in this class will attend a seminar and engage in projects supporting the racial justice goals of the Clinic's community and/or legislative partners. Those projects will be dictated by the needs and goals of those partners. Students should also expect to spend approximately 15-20 hours a week on this fieldwork, in addition to preparing for and attending the clinic seminar.
This course will give first priority to students in the part-time program at Denver Law, and all the seminar classes will meet on the weekends dedicated to part-time program classes. The fieldwork hours, while intensive, can be completed at flexible times, in consultation with the professor and relevant clinic partners.
Students must have completed their first full year in the part-time program to enroll in this Clinic. (Full-time students may also apply and must also have completed their first year of law school.) Interested students should apply through the Student Law Office's application process, which will be widely announced to the law school community.
Credit Hours: 3 in class/3 out of class
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Animal Activist Legal Defense Project | L4702/L4709
The Animal Activist Legal Defense Project engages students in advancing innovative legal theories and communications strategies to (1) provide animal activists with high-caliber representation in rapidly evolving areas of law; and (2) amplify the voices of those who bear witness to the suffering of innocent non-human animals. Depending on client needs, areas of activity are expected to include criminal representation; counseling and litigation relating to free speech matters; SLAPP suit defense; national-, state-, and local-level policy work; press campaigns; and coalition building amongst other lawyers, organizations, and activists.
Credit Hours: 2 in class/2 out of class
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Client Counseling | L4708
This Client Counseling course introduces students to a set of skills critical to the practice of law in any context. In this course, students will learn to understand and address the common problems that arise when interviewing and counseling clients. Using class exercises and simulations, students will learn skills such as: the fundamentals of helping relationships; active listening and effective questioning; uncovering hidden interests; professional responsibility; decision-making; and establishing the appropriate attorney-client relationship.
Credit Hours: 2
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Complex Civil Litigation and Case Management | L47xx
This course will cover the advanced civil procedure topics prominent in complex litigation, particularly in the pre-trial phase. Areas of emphasis will include class actions and other vehicles for multi-party dispute resolution, interim relief, lay and expert discovery proofreads and tactics, motions practice, and settlement of complex cases.
Credit Hours: 3
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Compliance | L47xx
This course provides an overview of the development and operation of corporate compliance programs. In the face of increasingly global operations and complex regulations, corporate compliance programs have become an integral part of governance in United States and international corporations as means of managing legal and regulatory risks.
We will examine the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the Department of Justice Criminal Division Guidance and other federal guidance that set forth essential elements of and expectations for corporate compliance programs. We will study the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) as one of the high impact risks facing global companies. Then we will examine the components of an effective compliance program, such as reporting systems and investigations, policies, codes of conduct, training, and risk assessments considering the guidance and current best practices.
By the end of this introduction course, students will 1) understand the drivers for corporations to develop corporate compliance programs, 2) be able to identify the established elements for an effective corporate compliance program and the influencing laws and governmental guidance, 3) understand how those elements along with the standards arising from the guidance are practically and effectively implemented in corporations, and 4) be able to use this knowledge to apply critical analysis in mitigation of corporate regulatory risks.
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Corporate Transactions Practicum | L4703
This course will examine complex commercial transactions from a variety of crucial angles. We will form corporate teams. We will then study the governance of both public and private entities as they posture to transact; this will include the consideration of various corporate strategic imperatives including market dynamics, investor relations, pricing and deal structure and how each of those elements separately influence associated corporate governance matters from the perspective of both public and private corporations and their governing By Laws and/or Operating Agreements. The teams will split into buyer and seller entities and we will navigate and negotiate actual transactions-right to a close. We will analyze each deal from the viewpoint of a General Counsel advising their Board of Directors/Managers. And then we'll transact. Utilizing complex transaction documents derived from significant commercial deals my firm has managed in the recent past, in combination with leading treatises, we'll delve into every material aspect of a compound commercial transaction from internal Governance to Regulatory Compliance to Due Diligence to Representations and Warranties to Indemnification to Tax and, finally, to Closing and Post-Closing mechanisms, contemplating each from the differing perspectives of a buyer and a seller. Our students will leave this class with a real-world experience of how complex commercial deals are executed upon in 2020, as well as a comprehensive portfolio of deal forms and key analytical tools with which to counsel a sophisticated client through a multifaceted transaction.
Credit Hours: 2
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Critical Race Reading Seminar | L47xx
This seminar allows students to begin to develop 1) a substantive understanding of the application of critical race theory to a variety of contemporary legal and social issues, and 2) a sense of professional identity through the examination of lawyering practice in the context of critical race theory. Topics discussed may change each semester to respond to current events and pressing needs and interests. This course is team-taught by faculty members at Denver Law, and at times features guest lectures from faculty and practitioners in other disciplines. Students thus have an opportunity to interact with an array of professors who have expertise and interest in critical race theory and practice.
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Day One: Criminal Practice Lab | L4706
This professional skills course provides the fundamental skills students need to practice law on day one of their legal career in the CRIMINAL LAW arena. This course uses a faux case through the major stages of a criminal case: Defendant (Client) Interview; Victim Interview; Retainer Issues; Charging (Summons & Complaint); Jury Instructions; Docket Management; Bond Issues; Arraignment; Grand Juries; Misdemeanors and Felonies; Investigators; Rule 16 Discovery; Plea Considerations; Protective Orders; Restitution; Ethical Obligations of Prosecution & Defense Counsel; Motion to Suppress & Hearings; Witness & Victim Prep; Sentencing Issues; Post-Trial Issues. The overall purpose of this course is for students to see the big picture -- to see all of the major components of a case as they develop from crime to the eve of the first day of trial. Classes are held at the law school and the major state district courthouses.
Credit Hours: 3
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Forensic and Scientific Evidence | L4580
This course will cover the key elements of Evidence Law with a particular focus on evidence law governing forensic and scientific evidence. This includes an introduction to the preparation of scientific evidence, rules governing admissibility of forensic and scientific evidence in the courtroom, and rules applicable to expert witnesses and their testimony.
Credit Hours: 3
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Health Law Practicum
In this course, students will be given the opportunity to apply their knowledge of health law and policy to real-world legal problems in the field of healthcare. Each assignment will cast students in the role of healthcare lawyer. Students will perform practical simulations, in teams and individually, as lawyers on opposing sides of a medical malpractice lawsuit; a hospital medical staff investigation into a physician’s professional competence and conduct; a whistleblower case alleging violations of fraud and abuse laws, and other contested healthcare disputes. Students will also advise hypothetical hospitals and health care clients on substantive problems in the areas of privacy, clinical research, and patient rights, as well as ethical issues including physician-assisted suicide, parental decision-making, sexuality and gender, and disparities in healthcare.
The course will combine classroom teaching with realistic simulation experiences to provide students with the understanding and tools to provide knowledgeable and practical legal counsel to healthcare clients.
Credit Hours: 3
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International and Comparative Equality Law | L47xx
Equality and non-discrimination are universally regarded as fundamental human rights and their realization is also necessary to ensure the enjoyment of all other human rights and freedoms. Most of the major international human rights treaties as well as national constitutions articulate rights to equality and non-discrimination either in general terms or with reference to particular grounds such as race, gender, disability, religion, etc. Despite its prominent position in human rights law, the precise meaning of equality remains contested and enforcement bodies often provide conflicting interpretations. This course will consider basic concepts of equality and non-discrimination and how these are expressed in international human rights law and domestic or regional law with reference to examples from several jurisdictions. These include, for example, Canada, the European Union, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In doing so, the course will explore the potential and limits of law as a means of achieving social change as well as possible conflicts between equality and other norms (e.g. traditional cultural practices; freedom of expression; and freedom of religion).
Credit Hours: 2
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International Business Negotiations | L4705
This course is a fully experiential course in which students engage in a simulated negotiation with a partner school. Students analyze a proposed international business relationship, evaluate possible legal frameworks to achieve the goals of their clients and conduct negotiations with the proposed business partner to determine the terms of the relationship. The negotiations are conducted both through written communications, telephone conference and Skype sessions. If the results are successful, students draft the final term sheet for those transactions necessary to implement their client's agreement.
Credit Hours: 3
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Law and Innovation Lab | L4702
The Law & Innovation Lab will introduce a cohort of law students to the landscape of innovation and technology in the legal industry. It will provide students the opportunity to gain direct experience at the forefront of legal technology by working to bridge the access to justice gap and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of law practice. Students will engage in the hands-on development of targeted expert systems, chatbots and document automation tools. These applications will address real world legal problems identified in partnership with local legal services organizations and law firms. Framed around the product development cycle, the class will begin with a deep dive into design thinking, engaging in discovery and synthesis around the identified problem. Students will then design, prototype, test, improve and refine their digital solutions to the problem. The class will also plan a comprehensive go-to-market strategy to deploy their app into the hands of those who need it most, addressing possible barriers to adoption and community concerns. The class will also discuss, more broadly, ways to encourage the legal profession to embrace product and process innovations to scale scarce resources. The classroom experience will involve presentations by and discussions with practitioners from across disciplines (legal services, social services, technology, product development, design, and more), along with a heavy dose of joint problem-solving exercises and chat bot, expert system and document automation development. No prior experience with coding or software development is necessary – just a willingness to think differently, work through detailed directions and engage in creative problem-solving.
Credit Hours: 6
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Legislative Drafting | L4704
This course will focus on developing practical skills and strategies for drafting legislation. In addition to learning the goals and unique problems facing legislative drafters, students will study the standard conventions for drafting effective legislation, theories of statutory interpretation, and the most frequent court challenges to enacted legislation. Drafting exercises throughout the semester will provide an experiential component that prepares students to apply their skills in real-world situations.
Credit Hours: 2
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Military and Veterans Law Practicum
This class is designed to provide an overview of the history and application of military law, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Administrative Separation proceedings, and the various types of Courts Martial. The course will also focus on veterans law (post-service), with practical application in the form of military discharge upgrades and veterans benefits claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Prerequisites: N/A
Credit Hours: 2
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Military Law and Veterans Advocacy | L4705
This class is designed to provide an overview of the history and application of military law, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Administrative Separation proceedings, and the various types of Courts Martial. The course will also focus on veterans law (post-service), with practical application in the form of military discharge upgrades and veteran's benefits claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Successful completion of the final project satisfies the Upper-Level Writing requirement. Students registered for this course qualify for the Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project (RMVAP) fieldwork externship. Completion of this course, or concurrent enrollment, is a prerequisite to participate in the program.
Credit Hours: 3
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Movement Lawyering Lab | L47xx
The Lab will expose students to the philosophy of movement lawyering, as well as the organizing, strategic communications, policy analysis, and legal tools that can be of service to long-term social justice campaigns and contribute to capacity building. This course will benefit students interested in public policy, social justice, and community organizing work in addition to more traditional legal strategies. This class has two components: a seminar and engaging in tangible projects focused on the racial justice goals of a partner organization.
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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law | L4700
This course will explore the ways in which the law intersects with gender identity, examining this evolving area of law in the context of a changing judicial and political landscape. Emphasizing the legal tools and decision-making processes involved in doing pathbreaking civil rights work, students will gain an insight into the strategic and ethical tradeoffs involved in using the legal and political system to enact societal change. The course will provide an overview of the historical development of transgender rights through the lens of intersecting identities of race and disability, of the constitutional and statutory protections based on gender identity; access to sex-segregated spaces and activities; access to health care and reproductive technologies; non-binary and intersex identities; and unique considerations in military, family, and prison litigation. This class will be taught Carl Charles who serves as Staff Attorney at Lambda Legal. Prof. Charles is joining Denver Law as part of the Spring 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practitioner Teaching Initiative.
Credit Hours: 3
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Venture Law: Forming, Financing, and Selling a Startup | L4707
This course introduces students to advising entrepreneurs, and will explore legal issues associated with forming, funding, operating, and selling a business. We will use a case study over the course of the semester which tracks the development of a new business and examines key areas of corporate law with which a transactional attorney should be knowledgeable. A significant portion of the class will focus on financing transactions with third party investors, with attention to issues of both economics and control. This course will be taught in context and is designed to be highly practical using state of the art readings and the transaction documents currently used by leading law firms in the field.
Credit Hours: 3
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White Collar Crime | L4707
White collar crime is a significant problem in the business world. Major corporations and financial institutions fail because of unlawful activities, resulting in huge financial losses to federal, state, and local governments, as well as to private organizations and individuals. Whether you plan to pursue a career in business or in law, you will need to be familiar with at least the basics of white collar criminal law. This course covers a variety of subjects, including substantive criminal law, inchoate offenses, the attorney-client privilege, business ethics, and corporate criminal liability, as well as a number of specific offenses such as fraud, obstruction of justice, bribery, environmental crimes, and currency crimes.
Credit Hours: 3
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Youth Rights Workshop | L4703
This course will provide a unique opportunity to engage with youth in the Metro-Denver community by teaching "Know Your Rights" Workshops in partnership with the nonprofit, LYRIC (Learn Your Rights in the Community). LYRIC has designed "Know Your Rights" curriculum for high-school aged youth in schools, juvenile justice facilities, and community settings. The workshops generally focus on the 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments. In this course, after learning the relevant substantive law and the presentation format, students will teach workshops to youth in the area and conduct follow-up research as appropriate. For Spring 2021, students will do presentations remotely and also complete other youth justice projects for nonprofit partners. Students will also engage in ongoing reflection and assessment of the workshops, develop new ideas for LYRIC, and will consider more broadly the lawyer's role in providing community education. This course fulfills the Public Service Requirement.
Credit Hours: 2