ADMIRALTY

Prerequisite: Admiralty      

In depth research into maritime topics of current interest or importance.
 

ADVANCED MARITAL PROPERTY

Marriage dissolution, with emphasis upon problems and techniques of property division. Includes negotiation and drafting of property settlement agreements, tax considerations, trial of property issues, the divorce decree, reversible error in trial court's division of property, enforcement of provisions of decree relating to property, rights of creditors, effect of bankruptcy and related matters.

  AEROSPACE LAW & POLICY

National and international law on the use of outer space from its early historical development down to present day concerns with the space shuttle and militarizing of space. Commercial applications will be emphasized, but military considerations will also be examined.

ADVANCED PATENT LAW

Prerequisite: Patent Law

This seminar builds upon the basic substantive law learned by the students in the basic Patent Law course. The course explores various more complex areas of patent litigation jurisprudence, strategy, and tactics, with an emphasis on identifying, understanding, and marshaling the competing economic, social, and legal factors involved in technology-based disputes. The course focuses on the litigatio-dominating topics of claim construction, proving invalidity, and proving unenforceability of a United States patent, and related litigation strategies and tactics.

AMERICAN LEGAL PROFESSION

Critical examination of the history of the American legal profession, with a substantial focus on the last 20 years. Questions to be explored include what roles lawyers have played in American society and how these roles have changed, how the practice of law has changed, and how the notions of lawyering as a profession and professionalism have changed.
 

APPELLATE COURTS

A seminar designed to familiarize the student with perfection of appeal to the Appellate Courts of Texas, with special emphasis on application for Writ of Error, extraordinary remedies, motions, and appellate terminology.
 

ART LAW

This seminar deals with the legal problems faced by artists, art dealers, auctioneers, collectors and museums in creating, transferring, acquiring, showing and maintaining art works, antiques or cultural artifacts.
 

AVIATION LAW

Examination of various aspects of aviation law, including governmental regulation of manufacturers, carriers and private pilots; rights of passengers; accident litigation, with special emphasis on the practical aspects of investigating, preparing and trying aircraft crash cases.
 

BUSINESS,  LAW & DIPLOMACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Examination of the jurisprudence of countries of the Middle East including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. A comparative study of the Middle Eastern jurisprudence to the American jurisprudence. Emphasis on corporate laws, commercial transactions, trade and commerce, investments, banking systems, arbitration, treaties, and litigation between U.S. corporations and businesses in the Middle East. Included in the subject matter is an introduction to the business practices and cultures of the Middle East.

CLOSE CORPORATIONS

Prerequisite: Corporations

Formation and study of a close corporation utilizing the Texas Close Corporation statute. A team approach is used including actual interviewing of clients, negotiating the transaction and drafting all instruments necessary in the formation and operation of a close corporation. Special tax and securities problems of close corporations are examined.
 

COMMERCIAL LAW

Prerequisite: Secured Transactions or Payment Systems

An advanced, but relaxed look at various commercial law topics. The content of the course will vary from year to year. When possible, field trips will be undertaken and guests will be invited to lecture on areas of expertise.
 

COMMUNICATION THEORY & THE LAW

This seminar will examine the communication issues that lawyers face in their law practice. Students will be examining the research and thinking of communication scholars on subjects like jury deliberation, listening, nonverbal behavior, interviewing, fundamental communication theories like primacy and recency and interactionist theory, communication in organization settings like law firms and governmental agencies, audience analysis for the public speaker, and interpersonal communication that occurs in the attorney/client relationship.
 

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law

An in-depth study of selected contemporary problems involving interpretation and application of the United States Constitution. The exact content of the seminar will be announced in advance of the semester in which it is offered.

 
CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

"Democratic contrivances are quarantine measures against that ancient plague, the lust for power. They are very necessary and very boring." Nietzsche. The course will test both of his hypotheses. The course will also examine the historical and contemporary roles of the techniques of republican organization of government. The function of federalism, separation of powers and sovereignty, among others, will be discussed. The relationship between the techniques of structure and the philosophy of constitutionalism will be examined in terms of current issues.
 

CONSUMER REMEDIES

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES LAW:

This seminar examines issues relating to the regulation or prohibition of controlled substances. Topics will vary from semester to semester, but will include topics relating to federal and state control of illicit drugs. The course will also look at issues of sentencing and punishment as they relate to drugs, regulation of the pharmaceutical industry and the practice of medicine. International and comparative topics will be covered as well.
 
 
COUNSELING: TERMINALLY ILL

Prerequisite: Wills, Trusts and Estates.

Students will participate in simulated exercises primarily focused on planning for death through wills, directives to physicians, powers of attorney and similar devices. Students will then present this information to groups of terminally ill patients and respond to questions.

 
CRIMINAL APPELLATE & POST-CONVICTION PROCEDURE

Prerequisite: Criminal Procedure and Evidence.

This Course is designed to acquaint the advanced student with the legal and practical aspects of criminal appellate procedure in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Among the subjects considered are direct appeal, collateral attack on convictions and post-conviction remedies, including the Writ of Habeas Corpus.
 

CRIMINAL CORRECTIONS

Prerequisite: Criminal Procedure.

Consideration of various sanctions and methods of sentencing which may be utilized in dealing with one convicted of a criminal offense; examination of the legal side of sentencing to decipher the lawyer's role in the machinery of the criminal process; probation, parole, imprisonment, treatment of alcoholics, drug addicts and the mentally ill, loss of civil rights, administrative sentencing, pre sentencing investigation, youthful and young adult offenders.
 
 
CRIMINAL LAW

Prerequisite: Criminal Procedure.

An in-depth study of selected contemporary problems in criminal law. The exact content of the seminar will be announced in advance of the semester in which it is offered.
 
 
DAMAGES

Elements and measurements of damage in torts, contract, eminent domain and restitution, with emphasis on the procedural aspects of damage litigation, special damages, punitive damages, the doctrine of avoidable consequences and related topics.

 
EDUCATION LAW

A study of critical legal issues confronting the educational system. NOTE: This course may occasionally be offered in a traditional lecture and examination format.
 

ENERGY LAW

A course of study designed to review federal agencies and the impact of their regulations on business. Emphasis is directed primarily to a review of the Department of Energy regulations. Other agencies to be covered may include the Environmental Protection Agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Transportation and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Intensive study of significant current issues in environmental law e.g. Hazardous Waste; Energy and Environment. Issues to be examined will be announced in advance.
 

EVIDENCE

This seminar examines in-depth selected contemporary problems involving the admission and exclusion of evidence in civil and criminal cases.

 
HIV & THE LAW

An examination of the impact of HIV disease on contemporary legal issues ranging from employment insurance and health care to family law and the legal issues of death and dying.

NOTE: This seminar is offered in conjunction with the HIV and the Law clinic. Students may enroll in the seminar without being enrolled in the clinic. Students enrolled in the clinic may separately enroll in the seminar to receive advanced writing credit. All HIV and the Law clinic students must attend the classroom component of this seminar.

 
IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION LAW

This seminar involves the history and evolution of immigration and naturalization law, including the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the organization and structure of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the petition and application process, representation of immigrants and non-immigrants, including temporary workers and intra-company transferees, the admission and exclusion of aliens, deportation procedures and relief from deportation, naturalization and citizenship procedures, and judicial review of the Immigration Judge's decisions.
 

INSURANCE LAW

An in-depth examination of selected, contemporary legal problems involving the insurance industry, including the marketing of insurance, coverage's, contract interpretation, defenses, claims adjustment, liability for bad faith dealings and regulations.
 

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Various topics relating to international human rights will be examined.

   
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW - PUBLIC SECTOR

A comprehensive survey os state (with emphasis on Texas) and federal law regulating the public sector employment relationship, including a review of applicable constitutional protections; civil service and other laws proscribing termination of the employment relationship; civil rights, employment discrimination and anti-retaliation statutes; wage and hour laws; whistle-blower laws; open government statutes; relevant criminal laws; and the statutory and common law framework for labor relations in the public sector.
 

LAND USE MANAGEMENT

An in-depth study of controls on land use, with emphasis on governmental controls, including environmental issues.

LATIN AMERICAN LAW

This seminar surveys the development of private law and legal institutions in Latin America from European contact to the present. Focusing on personal status, family law, land, commerce, and property, this seminar addresses the following related topics: law in conquest, slavery, indigenous status, legal education, lawyers, courts, codification, nation building, land reform, development, investment, and regional trade. Although the primary focus of the seminar is private law, students may write on public, criminal, or constitutional law topics within Latin America. Some exposure to comparative law and Spanish may be helpful, but is not necessary.
 

LAW & ECONOMICS

This course will explore the opportunities and limits of economic analysis of legal issues in contracts, torts, property, public property, securities, attorney's fees, welfare and zoning. Basic economics and its application to law will be covered. The course is for non-economists.
 

LAW & SEX:

This seminar examines issues presented to the legal system by human sexual behavior. Topics will vary from semester to semester, but will include matters such as consensual adult behavior, crimes against public decency, regulation of sexually oriented businesses, problems of public sex education, and free speech and religious issues involving sex. Students will be required to prepare a substantial research paper and to present that paper orally to the class. Grades will be based on both the paper and the oral presentation.

LAW & TECHNOLOGY

This seminar will examine new issues presented to the legal system by technological changes and the ways in which courts and legislatures deal with them. Each student will be required to prepare a substantial research paper and orally report on that paper to the class. Grades will be based on both paper and oral presentation.
 

LAW  OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

Prerequisite: Recommended that the student has taken, or be concurrently enrolled in, Professional Responsibility.

An examination of the role of modern technology in the management of the law firm. Topics covered include uses of automation, design and analysis of law office automated systems, and the impact of technology on professional responsibility. Each student will be expected to analyze a law office system and make an oral presentation and prepare a written report of publishable quality.
 

LEGAL HISTORY

A historical look at the growth and development of the common law legal system and legal institutions. Exact content of the course will vary from year to year.
 

LEGISLATION

Examination of the organization and operation of legislative bodies, including the role of executive, public agencies, and private groups in the legislative process; drafting of statutes; enactment, amendment and repeal of statutes; limitations on legislative power and statutory interpretation.

MARITIME PERSONAL INJURY

Prerequisite: Admiralty

This seminar encompasses a number of areas of personal injury law highly relevant to students who intend to practice on the Gulf Coast of the United State between Florida and Brownsville, Texas, including the Houston area. Among the subjects to be examined are injury and death claims resulting to longshoremen, harbor workers, seamen, offshore workers and passengers and guests aboard various types of vessels. Accidents involving these individuals result in a surprisingly large percentage of tort claims on the Gulf Coast, which includes the second and third largest ports in the nation. Each student will write a paper on an area selected by the student, presenting the paper in class toward the end of the semester.
 

MEDIA LAW

Problems in communications industries including artist's moral rights and performance rights; entertainment law; trade practice, performance and production contracts and unfair competition; broadcasting, including FCC practice, and publishing, with particular attention to defamation, invasion of privacy and rights of publicity.

NEGOTIATION & SETTLEMENT

Intensive examination of negotiation and settlement techniques and of negotiation and settlement as effective means of disposing of disputes.

THE POLITICS OF RACE IN AMERICA

This seminar examines aspects of the intersections between law, race, and politics in American society. Specific topics discussed may vary from semester to semester, but include such topics as race and the criminal justice system, including issues of racial profiling, sentencing, and application of the death penalty; voting rights issues; reparations for historical injustices; hate crimes legislation; and the intersection of race, poverty, housing, and environmental issues.

PRIVACY LAW

This seminar examines aspects of the law relating to privacy, including such topics as the protection for identity and reputation, privacy of medical records, employee or student drug testing and privacy rights, family and personal autonomy, reproductive autonomy, workplace privacy, and the right to refuse medical treatment and to chose to die. Both legislative and judicial responses to a variety of privacy issues are considered.
 
 
PRODUCTS LIABILITY - ADVANCED PROBLEMS

This seminar will examine the interaction of various legal disciplines in the rapidly evolving law of products liability. The course is designed to promote the student's awareness of the sweeping effects of products litigation. Students will consider special problems, including occupational and environmental exposure, discovery and trial procedure, structured settlements, insurance issues, corporate planning and bankruptcy. This class will also consider legislation relevant to the products liability field.
 

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY

This seminar will deal with the professional liability of lawyers, doctors, architects, engineers and members of various other professions. Among the areas covered are theories of liability, damages, vicarious liability, litigation of a malpractice action, defenses, professional liability insurance, prevention of professional liability, trends and the future of professional liability and insurance coverage.

PROTECTION & LICENSING OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

This seminar examines issues relating to the protection and licensing of computer software, hardware, and data. Intellectual property, copyright, trade regulation, and contract issues will be examined in the context of computer technology.

RECENT FEDERAL CASES

Topics to be examined will be chosen from among those arising in major cases recently decided by the Federal Courts.
 

RECENT U.S. SUPREME COURT CASES

An examinations of selected cases recently decided by the U.S. Supreme Court dealing with various topical issues.
 

RELIGION, ETHICS & THE LAW

An examination of the function of religious and ethical values within the legal system. Constitutional issues will be discussed, particularly as they apply to contemporary legal and moral problems. Discussions will also focus on the conflicts that may exist between the demands of morality and American law.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND THE LAW

SPORTS LAW

In-depth research into current legal issues affecting amateur or professional sports.
 

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
 
Prerequisite: Constitutional Law

Historical development of state constitutions; relationships between branches of state governments, between state and local governments, and between state and federal governments. Constitutional limitations on state budgets, on gubernatorial and legislative vetoes, on administrative agencies, and on legislative procedure. Role of the courts as a check on other branches. Mandates regarding school financing individual rights, adequate and independent state grounds, open courts provisions, substantive due process, and the "New Federalism."

TEXAS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT:

Students explore the current issues surrounding the death penalty in America. Emphasis is placed on the Texas capital murder statutory scheme and its implementation from the decision to charge through execution.
 
 
TOXIC TORTS PROJECT

This seminar is an advanced tort law course focusing on environmental and toxic harm. The course materials cover the complex and recurring issues posed by environmental risk, injury, and litigation. The course covers various causes of action, including trespass, nuisance, negligence, and strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities. Problems of proof and causation, as well as defenses and remedies, both in law and equity, are also discussed.
 

TRANSPORTATION LAW

Examination of contemporary legal problems involving the transportation of persons and property by air, sea and land.
 

TRENDS IN LITIGATION & ADR

An examination of recent trends and issues, including the public's right to know; summary judgment practice; alternative dispute resolution; discovery; rules of professionalism; effect of technology; local rules and civil appellate practice.

URBAN & POVERTY LAW

This seminar concentrates on a broad range of problems affecting life within our society, with the emphasis on perceptive understanding and awareness. Its purpose is to set the foundation for active participation by members of the Bar in the solution of these problems through the legal process.