1376 – LABOR LAW

3 Credits

The historical development of employees’ rights in the private sector, the enactment of and provisions of the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act), the Taft Hartley Act, and the Landrum-Griffin Act. The different and changing political consensus of the Congress concerning the respective roles of unions and management. The collective bargaining agreement and the rights of individual members of unions.

1570 – LAND USE PLANNING SEMINAR

2 Credits

The major current issues in the field of eminent domain law; the planned development of land uses through public controls such as zoning and through the cooperative activities of public and private enterprise as exemplified in urban renewal projects.

1577 – LAW & ECONOMICS SEMINAR

2 Credits

Legal issues from an economic perspective within the ambit of corporate law, torts, property law, environmental law and antitrust/economic regulation. While frequently and mistakenly associated with a conservative political ideology, the Law and Economics approach has been embraced by Supreme Court Justices as diverse as William Brennan, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Antonin Scalia.

1580 – LAW & LITERATURE SEMINAR

2 Credits

In-depth examination of classic works of literature and judicial opinions in an effort to enhance the students’ writing skills and their capacity for critical legal analysis. The way in which lawyers’ use of language constrains and informs the process of advocacy and adjudication.

1582 – LAW & MEDICAL ETHICS

3 Credits

Legal and medical ethical issues surrounding human reproduction and birth, adoption, sterilization, brain death, right to die, living wills, durable powers of attorney, organ donations, infectious diseases, patient autonomy and confidentiality, genetic research. This course is open to law students and upperclass undergraduate students.

 

1380 – LAW OFFICE ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (SKILLS)

2 Credits

Various considerations, techniques, and approaches which are necessary for a successful management of the legal practice. A case study and problem based approach is utilized to generate class discussion and involvement. Forms of organization for the practice of law, overall management techniques and concerns, personnel management; ethical considerations including professional malpractice and liability insurance; equipment and office layout, libraries; systems; income determination and distribution; clients, public relations, and development of the practice.

1587 – LAW OF WAR SEMINAR

2 Credits

The customary law of war, Geneva conventions, the American law of war (in its constitutional, directive, and decisional aspects), war tribunals both foreign and domestic, and norms for civilian protection, POW management, and weapons employment. Law 1360 International Law is strongly recommended as background for this course.

1384 – LAW REVIEW

2 Credits

Writing a Law Review comment of publishable quality.

1725 – LEGAL CONTEXT OF AMERICAN BUSINESS

3 Credits

Overview of legal structures and regulation of American business. The creation and governance of corporate legal entities, basic elements of corporate finance, and fundamentals of government regulation of business. LLM students only.

1590 – LEGAL HISTORY SEMINAR (AMERICAN)

2 Credits

American legal history from the seventeenth century to the present, including the significance of law in the structure of American social and economic institutions; the political, social and economic contexts of legislative and juridical action; jurisprudential ideologies; and the relationship of law to politics.

1730 – LEGAL ISSUES IN TRANSITIONAL DEMOCRACIES

3 Credits

Treatment of critical issues for developing democracies. Topics covered will include integrity of the electoral process, judicial independence, role of the press, ethnic and religious minorities, and non-governmental organizations in transitional states. Other topics will be considered depending on individual class interests.

1004 – LEGAL PROBLEM SOLVING AND ANALYSIS

2 Credits

Allows students to reflect on what they have learned through careful review of the methods of legal analysis and work on complex problems beyond the bounds of any single doctrinal subject, explored through simulation and teamwork. The course will focus on problem solving and will give students an opportunity to interact with practicing lawyers and judges.

1388 – LEGAL PROFESSION

2 Credits

The rules of conduct that regulate a lawyer’s relations with clients, the courts, other members of the legal profession and the community at large.

1001 – LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING 1

2 Credits

The basic tools and methods of legal research as well as development of writing skills necessary in the practice of law. Completion of legal research exercises and preparation of memoranda.

1002 – LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING 2

2 Credits

Continuation of LAW 1001. Drafting court documents, writing an appellate brief, and participation in oral advocacy.

1392 – LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND DRAFTING (SKILLS)

2 Credits

The organization of and powers of the legislative branch of government and development of practical skills of legislative drafting and statutory analysis. Matters affecting apportionment, members’ qualifications, witness immunity, the speech and debate clause, initiatives, referenda and recall, electoral finance, appropriations and the legislative veto are addressed. The drafting and analysis of bills or resolutions, committee reports, and prepared statements.

1610.02 – LITIGATION CLINIC

3 / 6 Credits

The representation of clients in civil litigation matters such as family law, landlord/tenant and other general civil litigation matters at a local legal aid organization under the supervision of practicing attorneys affiliated with the legal aid organization. Prerequisites: Successful completion of 58 hours of law college credit and an intern certificate from the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prerequisite or co-requisite: LAW 1248 - Civil Practice: an Introduction.

1396 – MOOT COURT (SKILLS)

2 Credits

Representing the College of Law in an inter-scholastic Moot Court competition. The completion of a written brief of competitive quality, extensive preparation for oral arguments, and a cooperative team spirit.

1397 – MOOT COURT II (SKILLS)

1 Credit

Representing the College of Law in a second inter-scholastic Moot court competition. The completion of a written brief of competitive quality, extensive preparation for oral arguments, and a cooperative team spirit.

1400 – MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS

3 Credits

The formation of and legislative control over public corporations (primarily cities and villages), the powers of such corporations with respect to public welfare, zoning, appropriations, contracts, and the liability of such corporations in tort and contract; relationships with other units of government; state preemption issues; drafting of ordinances.

1610.08 – MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT CLINIC

3 / 6 Credits

Students work with Municipal Government Solicitors or City Law Directors on civil litigation and criminal litigation issues arising within the context of a municipal government. Prerequisite or co-requisite: LAW 1400 - Municipal Corporations.

1610.07 – NON-PROFIT LITIGATION CLINIC

3 / 6 Credits

Under the supervision of practicing attorneys or administrators, providing assistance to non-profit agencies on legal issues confronting them. Prerequisites: Successful completion of 58 hours of law college credit and an intern certificate from the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prerequisite or co-requisite: LAW 1248 - Civil Practice: an Introduction.

1456 – NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

3 Credits

The rules affecting charitable organizations, including tax-exempt income, unrelated business income, lobbying and political activities, and the deduction of contributions. Prerequisite: LAW 1440 - Taxation: Federal Income Tax.

1610.01 – OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY LEGAL CLINIC

3 / 6 Credits

The representation of clients in civil litigation matters such as family law, social security dis- ability, and other general civil litigation matters at the ONU Legal Clinic in Lima, Ohio, under the supervision of a licensed staff attorney. Prerequisites: Successful completion of 58 hours of law college credit and an intern certificate from the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prerequisite or co-requisite: LAW 1248 - Civil Practice: an Introduction.

1402 – OIL AND GAS LAW

3 Credits

The property interests that are commonly created in oil and gas and the land from which they are produced; the nature of a landowner’s interest in oil and gas; the creation and duration of mineral leases; the rights and duties between lessor and lessee; the nature and characteristics of a mineral fee; the rights and duties between mineral and surface owners; the different kinds of royalty and mineral interests; the protection of interests in oil and gas properties against trespassers and wrongful claimants, and agreements between oil companies, such as farm outs and operating agreements; state regulation of drilling and production, including spacing rules, pooling and unitization.

1404 – PATENT LAW AND PRACTICE

2 Credits

Examination of the legal protection afforded inventors under the patent law. Classes of patentable inventions, requirements for patentability, rights of inventors and remedies for patent infringement. Basic patent drafting and prosecution techniques and recent patent law developments in the pharmaceutical, biological and genetic engineering fields.

1457 – PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY (SKILLS)

2 Credits

Study of basic financial elements of individuals’ lives, including cash flow, investments, housing, insurance, health care, and retirement planning.

1408 – POVERTY LAW

2 Credits

A study of the legal problems of the poor in America with particular attention to the welfare system, public and private housing and family law.

PRO BONO VOLUNTARY PROGRAM

The faculty of the College of Law has approved and recommends that each student, during his/ her second or third year, volunteer in a program providing legal services for poverty-level or elderly persons. Those students who successfully complete thirty (30) hours of Pro Bono work during the fall, spring or summer semester will have a notation on their transcript that they did Pro Bono work while in law school. To sign up for the Pro Bono Program, obtain a Pro Bono Registration Form from the front office, get the signature of the faculty member listed for the placement site, submit this form to the Associate Dean.

On the last day of class for the semester, the student must submit time sheets, signed by the supervisor at the placement site, showing a total of 30 hours of service. These must be submitted to the Associate Dean. The file will then be reviewed by the faculty advisor. The registrar will then be directed to make a notation on the student’s file; to wit, Pro Bono Service: VITA, or Pro Bono Service: Legal Aid.

The current placement sites are VITA (Volunteers in Tax Assistance), Street Law, Ohio Northern Legal Clinic and Community Mediation.  

1412 – PRODUCTS LIABILITY

3 Credits

The law of negligence, warranty, and strict liability as it relates to injuries caused by manufactured products.

1031 – PROPERTY 1

3 Credits

Law of finders, rule of capture, gifts, adverse possession, and landlord-tenant. Methods of title assurance, estates, future interests, easements and covenants, and takings issues.

1032 – PROPERTY 2

3 Credits

Methods of title assurance, estates (other than leaseholds), future interests, easements and covenants, and public control of land use.

1630.01 – PROSECUTION CLINIC

3 / 6 Credits

Placement in prosecutor office, involving the representation of the state in criminal misdemeanors under the supervision of a licensed practicing attorney. May be taken for up to 6 credits. Prerequisite LAW 1296 - Criminal Practice: an Introduction or LAW 1297 - Criminal Practice: Advanced.

1630.02 – PUBLIC DEFENDER CLINIC

3 / 6 Credits

Placement in public defender office involving the representation of criminal defendants under the supervision of a licensed practicing attorney. Prerequisite LAW 1296 - Criminal Practice: an Introduction or LAW 1297 - Criminal Practice: Advanced.

1035 – PUBLIC LAW AND THE LEGAL PROCESS

3 Credits

An introduction to public law and the modern administrative state. The course will cover the creation of public law both internationally and nationally, the fundamentals of treaty and statutory interpretation, the administrative process including rulemaking, and the range of regulatory tools.

1416 – REAL ESTATE: RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCES

3 Credits            

The legal institutions and legal problems involved in real estate acquisition, contracting and financing, including equity, conveyancing and mortgages. The drafting of a closing of a real estate transaction.

1417 – REAL ESTATE: COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

2 Credits

Introduces students to the legal and practical issues associated with the acquisition, construction, leasing, ownership, operation and management of various types of commercial real estate projects. Satisfies the skills requirement for graduation.

1418 – REAL ESTATE FINANCE AND MORTGAGE LAW

2 Credits

Examines various aspects of the law of mortgages and other forms of security in real property. Addresses issues related to foreclosure, redemption and other rights and duties of the parties upon default. Explores current issues in predatory lending and secondary market transactions.

1420 – REMEDIES

2 or 3 Credits

Remedial systems of law and equity; modern practices of damages, equitable relief, declaratory judgments, and restitutionary remedies. The impact of statutory remedies; the use of the political and administrative process to affect private relationships.

1735 – RULE OF LAW SEMINAR

3 Credits

Preparation of 25 page research paper devoted to a critical area of legal reform in student’s home country. Topics will be selected in consultation with the instructor. Classroom sessions will provide opportunities for students to present their ideas and comment on those of other participants. Papers will be collected and published. LLM students only.

1424 – SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE & OPINION

3 Credits

Academic topics (theories of admissibility of novel scientific evidence) combined with practical litigation skills (demonstrations and simulations of direct and cross-examinations of experts) and a survey of problems in forensic science (identification through fingerprinting, serology, and DNA typing), recovered memory and hypnosis.

1428 – SECURITIES REGULATION

3 Credits

The definition of “security”, the disclosure requirements and registration process associated with the public issuance of securities, exemptions from registration, the evolution of the national market system and the regulation of broker/dealers.

1736 – SELECTED TOPICS IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND RULE OF LAW

2 Credits

Concentrated treatment of particular issues or skills related to promoting democracy and the rule of law. Required January term course. LLM students only.

1432 – SPECIAL TOPICS

1 to 5 Credits

1436 – SPORTS LAW

3 Credits

Legal issues in both amateur and professional athletics.

1440 – TAXATION: FEDERAL INCOME TAX

3 Credits

The fundamentals of federal income taxation, emphasizing its application to individuals. Gross income (inclusions and exclusions); adjusted gross income; deductions; taxable income; taxable credits; identification of the taxpayer; general tax accounting principles; and basic federal tax procedure. The application of the income tax law to business and investment property, including capital gains and losses, depreciation, and recapture. A consideration of the non-recognition and deferral of income, and other factors affecting the computation of tax liability.

1444 – TAXATION OF CORPORATIONS AND SHAREHOLDERS

3 Credits

Federal income taxation of corporate activities, with emphasis on consequences to individual shareholders. Prerequisite: LAW 1440 - Taxation: Federal Income Tax.

1448 – TAXATION OF PARTNERSHIPS & PARTNERS

3 Credits

The federal tax law applying to the relationship between the partnership and its partners. The formation, operation, and liquidation of partnerships, as well as the sale of a partnership, interest, and the retirement of a partner. Prerequisite: LAW 1232 and LAW 1440.

1452 – TAXATION OF ESTATES, GIFTS & TRUSTS

3 Credits

The operation and use of federal tax provisions applicable to intervivos and testamentary dispositions of property with particular emphasis upon matters of federal estate and gift taxation. Prerequisite: LAW 1440 - Taxation: Federal Income Tax.

1458 – TERRORISM AND CRIMINAL LAW

2 Credits

Examination of the various approaches of the American legal system to the problem of terrorism in the United States, including statutory, regulatory and judicial responses, and the role of the military.

1043 – TORTS

4 Credits

The basis and extent of legal liability for intentional or negligent invasions of protected interest in 1) physical security and autonomy; 2) emotional security and other tangible interest; and 3) economic security and opportunity. Proving breach of duty, cause in fact and proximate cause, and compensatory and punitive damages.

1460 – TRANSITION TO OHIO PRACTICE (SKILLS)

3 Credits

Skills-based exercises and practical information for the practice of law in Ohio. Law office procedures, professional responsibility issues, client management techniques, law office economics, and Ohio substantive law.

1461 – TRANSITION TO PRACTICE: MULTI-JURISDICTIONS (SKILLS)

2 or 3 Credits

Bar preparation for jurisdictions other than Ohio; effective study methods for the bar exam; is- sue identification, analytical and writing skills in the context of Evidence, Contracts, and Torts. Methods include multiple choice tests from released multi-state bar examinations (“MBE”) by the National Conference of Bar Examiners and a released Multi-state Performance Test (“MPT”).

1464 – TRIAL ADVOCACY (SKILLS)

3 Credits

Development of courtroom skills including trial preparation, presentation of motions, introduction of evidence, direct and cross examination of witnesses, opening statements, closing arguments, and trial strategy. Culmination in full trial with a jury. Prerequisite: LAW 1324.

1465 – TRIAL ADVOCACY: ADVANCED (SKILLS)

3 Credits

Development of courtroom skills, including voir dire, opening statements and closing arguments, pre-trial motions.

OVRC 2171 – UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND EXCHANGE PROGRAM

9 to 12 Credits

Courses taken in the University of Iceland exchange program change annually. Courses for each semester will be listed in the registration materials of the College of Law.

1595 – WOMEN & THE LAW SEMINAR

2 Credits

The legal system’s attempt to counter discriminatory treatment of women from the standpoint of formal equality and the weaknesses and critiques of that approach. The legal practice and theoretical debates surrounding specific issues (such as sexual harassment, rape, pornography and abortion) that raise fundamental questions about whether and how law should be involved in preventing discrimination on the basis of sex and, more broadly, gender.