Special Problems in Corporate Law: Offshore Financial Transactions, Cayman Islands

LAW-7409-601    CRN 28597
2 credits

This course is a combined classroom and field experience in the Cayman Islands designed to provide a foundation for the examination of international business and tax strategies and related policy issues. The course will provide introductory knowledge and concepts to students, so that, as part of their legal practice, they will be able to assist clients in evaluating international business strategies. Students will study the various business goals that may motivate U.S. corporations to organize and utilize offshore business entities, and will examine the broader policy and legal issues related to the use of such entities. Most importantly, students will have the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals and policy-makers from the Cayman Islands.

Application required and due November 10. Application deadline for all Global Field Study Courses: November 10, 2016.

Prerequisite: (1) Business Associations I (may be taken concurrently); (2) International Business Transactions; (3) Taxation of Business Entities (may be taken concurrently). (3Ls and 2Ls only).

Schedule: The course will include both U.S. and Cayman class sessions.
The Cayman sessions will meet during the week of March 13-18, 2017 (spring break).
The class sessions at the law school will meet for orientation on February 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. and for class on March 3, March 24, and April 21 from 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Attendance requirements: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course. An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

All Global Field Study Courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded:
         1: Prepration (6 hours of class time or equivalent)
         2: Trip (approximately 6-10 days depending on the course)
         3: Debrief and Reflection Exercises (6 hours of class time or equivalent)​

​Cayman Islands Spring Break Course: All three segments will be completed in the Spring 2017 semester for a total of 2 credits.

Course Fee: $2,500 to cover airfare, lodging,​ meals, and administrative fees. Tuition will be assessed at the same rate as for all other law school courses.

Payment Deadlines: When registering and accepted into the course, you will be billed automatically (You will be responsible for the course fee even if you fail to complete the course.)

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Contemporary Issues in Water Resources: U.S. Mexico Water-Food Nexus, Guanajuato, Mexico - Spring Break 2017

LAW-7900-609       CRN 28539
2 Credits

This Spring Break course (March 2017) will provide a comparative analysis of the role of water, agriculture, and food production in Texas and Guanajuato, Mexico. It will include an analysis of the biophysical, social, legal, and institutional factors in decision-making. Exposure to cultural, institutional, social, political, regulatory, and economic differences among countries is crucial to developing strong critical thinking skills. The readings and lectures will cover the fundamental principles that are necessary for understanding water issues in both countries.

Application required and due November 10. Application deadline for all Global Field Study Courses: November 10, 2016.

Prerequisite: One year in law school in the full-time or part-time program

Schedule: The course will include both U.S. and Guanajuato, Mexico class sessions.
The law school class sessions will meet on Fridays, January 27, February 10, and February 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
The Mexico sessions will meet during the week of March 13-17, 2017 (spring break).

Attendance requirements: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course. An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

All Global Field Study Courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded:
         1: Prepration (6 hours of class time or equivalent)
         2: Trip (approximately 6-10 days depending on the course)
         3: Debrief and Reflection Exercises (6 hours of class time or equivalent)​

Mexico Spring Break Course: All three segments will be completed in the Spring 2017 semester for a total of 2 credits.

Course Fee: $2,​500 to cover airfare, lodging in multi-person rooms at the Texas A&M’s Hacienda Santa Clara Study Center, meals, and ​administrative fees. Tuition will be assessed at the same rate as for all other law school courses.

Payment Deadlines: When registering and accepted into the course, you will be billed automatically (You will be responsible for the course fee even if you fail to complete the course.)

Special Topics in International Law: Borderlands - Contemporary Legal Issues Relating to the U.S.-Mexico Border

Course Description from Summer 2016 schedule:

In a romantic, literary sense, the U.S.-Mexico borderlands have loomed large in the mythology of Texas. Come experience the power of the borderlands, as the myth collides with the reality of the 21st century in Texas A&M University School of Law’s inaugural collaborative summer program with Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, Texas. Laredo is the largest port of entry in Texas and is the third-largest port of entry in the United States.

This summer program consists of two parts. The first part of the program is a two-week course that will meet daily on the campus of TAMIU in Laredo. The course will present a survey of contemporary legal issues relating to the U.S.-Mexico border. Course coverage will be drawn from among the following topics:  trade, transportation, business and banking transactions, immigration, border security, crime, human rights, oil & gas, energy, water, the environment, and the Mexican legal system. The course also will include one or more relevant field trips.

The second part of this program will be a five-week externship placement in Laredo for a limited number of TAMU law students, following the Borderlands law course. The externship placements will be based on each student’s interests. The expected placements will be at private law firms and businesses, as well as governmental and public interest settings.

Housing for all students enrolled in the Borderlands course will be provided by TAMU Law School.

Enrollment limited. Application required. No Howdy registration. Application materials will be available when registration opens.

There​ will be attendance requirements.

There ​may be a new Spring Break pro bono opportunity also.

LAW-7900-617          CRN 28627
0.5 Credits

Students in this course learn the basics of international and comparative law, cross-cultural communication, and being a global professional. This course will also address the history, culture, and legal issues that provide context for the students’ study of land use conflicts in Ghana in May of 2017.

This course includes a field trip to Ghana. All short study field courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded. Students will complete the Field Study Preparation for 0.5 credits as a Spring 2017 course with the Field Study Trip Completed in May and the Field Study Debrief and Reflection Exercises completed during the Fall semester 2017 for an additional 1.5 credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of first semester of law school by Fall 2016. May 2017 anticipated graduates may not register for this course.

Schedule: The course will include both U.S. and Ghana class sessions.
The law school class sessions will meet on Fridays, February 10, March 31 and April 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. The Ghana sessions are May 14-29, subject to change.

Attendance: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course.
An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

Application required and due November 10. Application deadline for all Global Field Study Courses: November 10, 2016.

All Global Field Study Courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded:
         1: Prepration (6 hours of class time or equivalent)
         2: Trip (approximately 6-10 days depending on the course)
         3: Debrief and Reflection Exercises (6 hours of class time or equivalent)​

May Field Study Courses: Students will complete the Field Study Preparation for 0.5 credits as a Spring 2017 course with the Field Study Trip ​completed in May and the Field Study ​debrief and ​reflection ​exercises completed during the Fall semester 2017 for an additional 1.5 credits.

Course Fee: $2,500 to cover airfare, lodging, meals, and administrative fees. Tuition will be assessed at the same rate as for all other law school courses.

Payment Deadlines:  When registering and accepted into the course, you will be billed automatically. (You will be responsible for the course fee even if you fail to complete the course.)

LAW-7900-616       CRN 28624
0.5 credits

The course will introduce students to the basics of international and comparative law, cross cultural communication, and being a global professional. This course will introduce students to the challenges of developing rule of law in a post-conflict environment. Students will study how the history of conflicts and genocide impact the Cambodian legal system.

This course includes a field trip to Cambodia. All short study field courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded. Students will complete the Field Study Preparation for 0.5 credits as a Spring 2017 course with the Field Study Trip Completed in May and the Field Study Debrief and Reflection Exercises completed during the Fall semester 2017 for an additional 1.5 credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of first semester of law school by Fall 2016. May 2017 anticipated graduates may not register for this course.

Schedule: The course will include both U.S. and Cambodia class sessions.
The law school class sessions will meet on Fridays, February 10, March 31 and April 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
The Cambodia sessions are May 14-29, subject to change.

Attendance: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course.
An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

Application required and due November 10. Application deadline for all Global Field Study Courses: November 10, 2016.

All Global Field Study Courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded:
         1: Prepration (6 hours of class time or equivalent)
         2: Trip (approximately 6-10 days depending on the course)
         3: Debrief and Reflection Exercises (6 hours of class time or equivalent)​

May Field Study Courses: Students will complete the Field Study Preparation for 0.5 credits as a Spring 2017 course with the Field Study Trip ​completed in May and the Field Study ​debrief and ​reflection ​exercises completed during the Fall semester 2017 for an additional 1.5 credits.

Course Fee: $2,500 to cover airfare, lodging, meals, and administrative fees. Tuition will be assessed at the same rate as for all other law school courses.

Payment Deadlines:  When registering and accepted into the course, you will be billed automatically. (You will be responsible for the course fee even if you fail to complete the course.)​

LAW-7900-635      CRN 28667
0.5 credits

The course will introduce students to the basics of international and comparative law, cross cultural communication, and being a global professional. Jersey is a major international financial center and the course will introduce students to how businesses and investors make use of Jersey structures to invest in Great Britain, the EU, and the world. This course will introduce students to the British Constitution, European Union financial regulation and the legal issues involved in wealth management.

This course includes a field trip to Jersey. All short study field courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded. Students will complete the Field Study Preparation for 0.5 credits as a Spring 2017 course with the Field Study Trip Completed in May and the Field Study Debrief and Reflection Exercises completed during the Fall semester 2017 for an additional 1.5 credits.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of first semester of law school by Fall 2016. May 2017 anticipated graduates may not register for this course.

Schedule: The course will include both U.S. and Jersey class sessions.
The law school class sessions will meet on Fridays, February 10, March 31 and April 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. The Jersey sessions are May 14-29, subject to change.

Attendance: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course.
An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

Application required and due November 10. Application deadline for all Global Field Study Courses: November 10, 2016.

All Global Field Study Courses will be in three segments for a total of 2 credits graded:
         1: Prepration (6 hours of class time or equivalent)
         2: Trip (approximately 6-10 days depending on the course)
         3: Debrief and Reflection Exercises (6 hours of class time or equivalent)​

May Field Study Courses: Students will complete the Field Study Preparation for 0.5 credits as a Spring 2017 course with the Field Study Trip ​completed in May and the Field Study ​debrief and ​reflection ​exercises completed during the Fall semester 2017 for an additional 1.5 credits.

Course Fee: $2,500 to cover airfare, lodging, meals, and administrative fees. Tuition will be assessed at the same rate as for all other law school courses.

Payment Deadlines:  When registering and accepted into the course, you will be billed automatically. (You will be responsible for the course fee even if you fail to complete the course.)​

LAW-7900-604      CRN 28503
2 Credits

This seminar will explore a series of topics involved in the theories, strategies, and techniques of effective negotiation. Students will submit a research paper that meets the upper-level rigorous writing requirement. In addition to traditional lecture and class discussion, students will engage in simulations and exercises to learn the material. Topics for the research papers may include (but are not limited to): avoiding being exploited, utilizing competitive negotiation moves, increasing collaboration, biases and cognitive illusions, emotions during the negotiation, principles of influence and persuasion, power in negotiation, culture and gender in negotiation, ethical considerations, and critiques of settlement advocacy.

Prerequisite: All lockstep courses except Constitutional Law. It is recommended but not required that students have taken ADR Survey, Negotiation Theory & Practice Practicum, or The Business Negotiator.

LAW-7900-608       CRN 28538
2 Credits

This seminar tackles real-world intellectual property problems. This hands-on course engages various creators--such as authors, artists, entrepreneurs, inventors, and musicians--throughout the semester. Through this interaction, students will unpack, examine, and discuss the practical, policy, and theoretical implications of IP law in the real world.

Prerequisite: (1) All lockstep courses except Constitutional Law; (2) Copyrights, Intellectual Property Survey, Patent Law, or Trademark and Unfair Competition Law.

LAW-7900-622       CRN 28536
2 Credits

Social science increasingly influences and shapes legal doctrine in areas ranging from criminal law and labor and employment to shareholder rights. The Law and Social Science Seminar provides students with an opportunity to discuss and analyze work from a series of renowned scholars who approach the law from economic, sociological, and psychological perspectives. The ultimate objective of the seminar is for students to produce their own papers that incorporate perspectives from the social sciences.

Prerequisite: All lockstep courses except Constitutional Law.

LAW-7900-630       CRN 28523
2 Credits

This course covers the fundamentals involved when plaintiffs bring civil claims against government entities. The issues will be examined from both the plaintiffs’ and defendants’ perspectives. The actions include negligence claims (auto accidents are the most common), contract enforcement, civil/human rights claims, and regulatory challenges brought against municipal, state, federal, and foreign government defendants. In addition to the substantive law in these cases, we will study who may bring claims, sovereign immunity and its exceptions, remedies (the range of money damages and interlocutory relief), and additional government defenses such as abstention.

Prerequisite: (1) One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program; (2) Constitutional Law.

LAW-7900-606       CRN 28515
2 credits

This course will examine the major contours of U.S. antitrust law, with a focus on issues that students will likely encounter in practice. These issues include private litigation, analysis of pricing systems and distribution plans, and the relationship of antitrust law to economics and other bodies of law.

The course will have a final exam.

Prerequisite: One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program.

LAW-7900-607       CRN 28535
2 Credits

Exploration of the international framework to combat climate change. Analysis of evolving climate change control and adaptation policies from a domestic perspective. Evaluation of environmental protection, natural resources, and energy development regulation and policies tackling climate change and examination of the subsequent litigation.

This course can satisfy the rigorous writing requirement.

Prerequisite: One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program.

This class will meet twice a week for the first six weeks of the semester and during the last week of the semester, for a total of fourteen meetings).
Limited enrollment course. No Howdy registration.

LAW-7900-613       CRN 28592
1 Credit -- Condensed/Short Course

This course addresses the intellectual property issue that relate to international trade of goods and services, both in the brick-and-mortar world and online. In particular, this course addresses issues related to the acquisition and enforcement to intellectual property at the national level, and their impact on cross border trade. The course also focus on the geographic scope of the principle of exhaustion of intellectual property rights and the practice of "parallel imports" and "grey market goods." The course will cover, in details, issues related to patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks. It will also address different policies adopted in the U.S., the E.U., and other jurisdictions.

There will be a final paper, not a final exam.

Schedule:
Saturday, March 4 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 5 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 1 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Prerequisite: (1) One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program; (2) at least one of the following courses: Copyrights, IP Survey, Patent Law, or Trademark & Unfair Competition Law.

Attendance: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course.
An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

LAW-7900-628       CRN 28625
3 credits

This course introduces students to basic legal principles for international trade and investment and their connection to economic development. Students will examine the World Trade Organization and provisions from regional trade agreements, like the NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, including their dispute settlement processes and their methods of addressing environmental and labor controversies as well as emerging concerns of Intellectual Property rights, climate change, and energy.

Assessment: Take Home Exam and 2 short papers with 2 short presentations for class discussion on class reading materials.

This course counts toward the oral skills requirement.

Prerequisites: One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program.

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Students provide direct representation to immigrants in removal proceedings, gaining substantial litigation skills, including preparing for direct and cross-examination, working with expert witnesses, writing complex legal briefs, and arguing in court. Students also have the opportunity to engage in policy and advocacy projects. This clinic is graded.

This course counts toward the experiential requirement.

Prerequisite: (1) One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program; (2) Immigration Law (may be taken concurrently).

4 credits

Application required​.

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Students will have the opportunity to directly represent low income taxpayers in controversies before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in U.S. Tax Court, and in Federal District Courts. Clinic students represent taxpayers involved in tax examinations (audits), administrative appeals, collection matters, and cases before the federal courts. This clinic is graded.

Prerequisite: (1) One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program; (2) Federal Income Tax; (3) Federal Tax Practice & Procedure (may be taken concurrently).

Prior Tax Experience: One does not need prior tax experience to enroll in this Clinic. The seminar component and the requisite Federal Tax Practice & Procedure course include substantive review of issues common to taxpayer controversies with the IRS.

3 Credits

Application required.

LAW-7900-605     CRN 28510
2 credits

This course will be a five-day intensive transactional boot camp that involves client simulation. Your clients will be three entrepreneurs who decide to open a consulting business together. As their lawyers, students will draft the various formation documents for creating an LLC.

Students will be graded based on the quality of their completed LLC formation documents and their final presentation.

Prerequisite: (1) One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program; (2) Business Associations I.

Schedule:
Monday, April 3 -   12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, April 10 -   12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday, May 15-19 -   9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Attendance: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course.
An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

Application required. No Howdy registration.

LAW-7900-623      CRN 28547
1 credit

Legal project management is a method to plan, execute and control a legal engagement to provide clients with predictable cost. Students will acquire the skills and techniques needed to develop scope of engagement and tasks to be completed, identify time and cost constraints, and develop budgets to complete a matter.

Prerequisite: One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program.

Schedule:
Friday, February 3 -  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 4 -  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday, February 24 -  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Attendance requirements: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course. An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

LAW-7900-633      CRN 28664
1 credit

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is a top legal concern for business organizations competing in the global marketplace. This course will introduce students to the FCPA and has the following learning objectives: (i) understanding the events and policy reasons that motivated Congress to enact the FCPA; (ii) appreciating the root causes of why companies often become the subject of FCPA; and (iii) gaining a comprehensive understanding of the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions and books and records and internal controls provisions including the ability to identify legal risk through issue-spotting videos.

Prerequisite: One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program.

Schedule:
Friday, January 20 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (with 2.5 hour break)
Saturday, January 21 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (with 1 hour break)

Attendance requirements: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course. An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

LAW-7900-634      CRN 28666
1 credit

Students in this simulation course will play the role of a new attorney, working with a client who wants to create environmental land use covenants and a senior partner who helps navigate the applicable law. Students will counsel and question the client, research applicable law, and draft covenants, all with feedback from the perspective of both the client and senior lawyer.

This course will be graded. Student grades will be based on class participation, written projects, and presentations.

Prerequisite: One year of law school in the full-time or part-time program.

Schedule:
Monday, Feb. 6 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Mar. 6 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 8 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Attendance requirements: Students must attend the entire classroom component to earn credit in the course. An absence for any reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.