Course Descriptions
The Course Descriptions below describe all courses offered by Taft Law School
for required and elective courses.
Juris Doctor Core Curriculum
Select individual course to learn more.
This course provides advanced study in logical and creative legal thinking which can be applied on bar examinations and in legal practice, analysis of statutory and common law, legal research skills, and the ability to write objectively and persuasively.
This course examines the laws governing the creation, termination and legal consequences of agency relationships, partnerships and business corporations; advantages and disadvantages of various forms of business enterprises.
This course dissects the federal and California rules relating to jurisdiction and venue; sufficiency of the complaint, answers, counterclaims and cross complaints, joinder of parties and causes of action and motions before, during and after trial.
This course reviews the classification of separate and community property, liability for debts, management and control of the community, and problems arising from the dissolution of the community or death of a spouse.
This course explores the scope of federal powers, separation of powers, the federal system, the Bill of Rights, due process, equal protection, and eminent domain.
This course analyzes the law relating to formation of contracts, the statute of frauds, third-party beneficiary contracts, assignment of rights and delegation of duties, liability for breach of contract including the law of conditions and discharge.
This course probes laws relating to various criminal offenses, including crimes against the person and habitation, larceny and kindred offenses, attempt and conspiracy rules, the defenses to criminal charges and the procedural rights of the accused.
This course studies criminal procedure in general, with substantial emphasis on recent Supreme Court decisions affecting the procedural rights of the accused; criminal trial practice and techniques are also covered.
This course scrutinizes and differentiates federal, California, and common law relating to relevancy, special exclusionary rules, privileged communications, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, the opinion rules, authentication and the best evidence rule, impeachment and rehabilitation, presumptions and burden of proof.
This is an orientation course to help prepare the lay person for the study of law. As the first law school course, it provides the new student with an understanding of principles of law and of case analysis.
This course explains how to write in a “Lawyer-like” manner. The student is guided through the process of how to write memoranda, letters, briefs and answers to law exams.
This course is an examination of relevant codes and cases in an attempt to better understand a lawyer’s ethical obligations.
This course reviews laws relating to the various types of real property interests including freehold, non-freehold estates and future interests, landlord-tenant relationships, conveyancing, and the use of land.
This course explores laws relating to equitable remedies, including injunction and specific performance and defenses; protection against certain types of tort liability including waste, nuisance, unfair competition and the law of rescission and reformation.
This course examines laws relating to civil liability for intentional wrongs to person and property, negligence, strict liability, misrepresentation, defamation and other civil wrongs.
This course covers the interpretation and application of the Uniform Commercial Code; the law relating to contract formation, enforcement, and breach when there is a transaction in goods, including buyers and sellers remedies as well as the law of warranty.
This course analyzes the law relating to the creation of wills and trusts, creation of the trust relationship, charitable trusts, resulting and constructive trusts, the powers and duties of the trustee, alteration and termination of the trust, probate of wills and administration of estates.
Juris Doctor Electives
Select individual course to learn more.
This course is an examination of the law relating to governmental agencies, with emphasis on federal regulation. The course deals with issues such as the due process right to a hearing, adjudication, rule-making, freedom of information, secret lobbying, control of discretion, judicial review and regulatory reform.
This course focuses on the options that parties may have to settle a dispute without going to trial. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has become a mandatory step in many judicial districts before a matter may proceed to trial. In particular, the course examines the processes of Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration.
This course explores the many stages of taking a case up on appeal. You will identify mistakes that the trial court has made, prepare an appellate brief, and ultimately argue the case before an appellate Judge.
This course consists of an independent research project written under the supervision of a law school faculty member. Subjects may vary dependent on the nature and interest of the student and requires the approval of the Dean or Associate Dean.
This course provides the student with the necessary background on a wide variety of health care topics, enabling professionals to deal with the common legal and practical problems facing the health care industry.
The protection of intellectual property and encouragement of creativity. Explores copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, patents, unfair competition, and selected state law theories. It provides students with a general working knowledge of the various intellectual property doctrines.
This course examines the historical foundation for labor laws and the creation of the labor movement while focusing on the workplace of today. The laws and regulations that govern the employment relationships, particularly those related to wages, hours, benefits and conditions are focused upon. The distinctions between public and private employers are also reviewed.
This course presents a comprehensive analysis of the concepts of management applicable to the legal profession.
This course reviews the broad spectrum of issues related to the world of sports. The course will examine such diverse issues as the power of the sports commissioner, labor negotiations, the role of the sports agent, professionalism vs. amateurism, injuries, and gender equity.
This course examines many aspects of civil litigation. You will start the course by preparing a complaint and then carry that action through discovery to trial where you will prepare opening and closing statements.
Taft Law Course Curriculum – By Year
Juris Doctor Attorney-Track℠
A Solid Foundation to Build Your Law Career.
Learn more about the individual courses required to complete the Taft Law School program. As the curriculum advances, so does the depth of knowledge and the integration with legal practice.
Learn More About Our Juris Doctor Attorney-Track
