“ John Marshall Law School 's rigorous curriculum is challenging and rewarding.”

~Kenneth Cooke, 3rd year

The study of law is exciting, dynamic, and richly rewarding both personally and professionally. At John Marshall Law School , the program of study is designed to prepare students to enter practice and represent people. The program is thus directed toward the acquisition and development of intellectual, analytical, and lawyering skills. From the first-year curriculum with its pre-determined set of core courses, through the third year with courses that emphasize practical skill development, the degree program is designed to promote analytical reasoning, precision in both oral and written communication, and problem solving skills. With these fundamental skills, students learn the rules of law and how to apply them in an ever-changing society. During their first year, both full-time and part-time students must enroll in and successfully complete the courses listed in the first year required program. Following the first year, students must complete the remainder of the required course load as well as a minimum number of elective courses of their own choosing. All students must take the required courses in the year and division in which they are enrolled. Elective courses may be taken in either the day or the evening by students, subject to the limitations set forth in the Academic Code and the Dean's Office Regulations. These documents may be found in the Student Handbook, a copy of which is provided to each new student at registration.

- Schedule

- Course Listings

- Course Descriptions

- Degree Requirements

Schedule

The program of study at John Marshall leads to the Juris Doctor degree upon successful completion of the required and elective curriculum. Students may enroll in either the full-time day program or in the part-time program where classes are offered primarily during the evening hours.

The full-time day program requires study in residence for six semesters over three academic years. Some part-time students may take their required classes during the day with the full-time students. The part-time program is designed to provide a means to achieve a legal education to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to devote full time to the study of law. The part-time program requires study in residence for eight semesters over four academic years, plus some summer sessions.

The academic year consists of two semesters of fourteen weeks duration followed by an examination period of approximately two weeks in length. There is an abbreviated summer session of seven weeks of instruction followed by an examination period. The summer session is intended primarily for students in the part-time division, although full-time students may enroll in the summer session courses to lighten their class load during the next academic year.

Classes in the full-time day division are normally scheduled during regular business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, while required classes in the part-time evening division are scheduled three evenings per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) from 6:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Students are required to take all required classes in the year and division in which they are enrolled. Elective classes may be taken by both full and part-time students when the classes are offered. The required course load for students in the full-time and part-time divisions are as follows:

FULL-TIME STUDENTS

TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 88 credits

1. For all academic rules and regulations, please refer to the Catalog and to the Student Handbook and Academic Code for John Marshall Law School.
   

Required Courses:

First Year:

105 Civil Procedure I, II (3,3)

110 Contracts I, II (3, 3)

115 Real Property I, II (3,3)

120 Torts I, II (3,3)

125 Legal Research, Writing & Analysis I, II (3,3)

Upper Division:

150 Business Organizations (3)

155 Constitutional Law I, II (3,3)

160 Criminal Law (3)

165 Criminal Procedure (3)

170 Evidence (4)

175 Professional Responsibility (2)

180 Remedies (3)

181 LRWA III - Pretrial Practice & Procedure (2)

182 Legal Drafting (3)

185 Sales & Secured Transactions (3)

Electives: Advanced Standing Required

Business, Commercial & Property Law:

305 Accounting for Lawyers (3)

330 Payment Systems (3)

334 Finance & Fraud:  Rights & Remedies (3)

335 Bankruptcy (3)

338 Business Planning (3)

340 Entertainment Law (3)

353 Land Use Planning (2)

355 Real Estate Finance (2)

360 Federal Income Taxation (3)

Personal, Torts & Criminal Law:

412 Seminar – Privacy Law (2)

419 Employment Law (3)

420 Employment Discrimination (3)

430 Intellectual Property (3)

431 Copyright Law (2)

432 Trademark Law (2)

433 Patent Law (2)

440 Workers Compensation (3)

451 Seminar - Death Penalty (2)

453 Advanced Evidence (3)

455 Advanced Criminal Procedure (3)

462 Domestic Relations (3)

463 Domestic Violence (2)

468 Wills, Trusts & Estates (3)

469 Estate Planning (3)

Public Law:
505 Administrative Law (3)

508 Health Care Law (3)

510 Conflict of Laws (3)

514 Constitutional Law Seminar:  The First Amendment (2)

520 Civil Liberties Seminar (2)

535 Environmental Law (3)

545 Immigration Law (3)

547 Seminar - Asylum & Refuggee Law (3)

565 Labor Law (3)

566 Public Sector Labor Law (3)

Practice Oriented Skills:

603 Advanced Legal Writing (2)

604 Advanced Appellate Advocacy (2)
605 Advanced Legal Research (2)

607 Scholarly Legal Writing & Editing (2)

610 Law Office Management (2)

621 Arbitration (3)

622 Mediation (2)

630 Trial Advocacy (3)

632 Depositions (2)

650 Client Interviewing & Counseling (2)

651 Negotiations (2)

655 Georgia Practice & Procedure (2)
660 Externship (2 - 4)

670 Advanced Bar Studies (2)

Interdisciplinary:

705 Jurisprudence (3)

Comparative/International:

810 International Business Transactions (3)

811 International Civil Litigation (3)

815 International Law (3)

Student Programs:

910 ATLA Competition Team (2)

911 NACD Trial Competition Team (2)

915 National Moot Court Competition Team (2)

916 Intra-State Moot Court Competition Team (2)

920 Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition (2)

930 ABA Client Interviewing & Counseling Competition Team (2)

980 Writing for the MPT (1)

990 Directed Research (2)

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Course Descriptions

FIRST YEAR REQUIRED COURSES:

105 CIVIL PROCEDURE I, II (3,3)

Examination of questions of procedure including:  jurisdiction and venue; federal subject matter jurisdiction such as diversity and federal question jurisdiction; notice and code pleading; Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governing joinder of claims and parties; discovery; summary and default judgments; the right to a jury trial in civil matters; and issues of finality of judgments. Appropriate examples are drawn from Georgia law.

110 CONTRACTS I, II (3, 3)

Examination of the law of contracts including contract formation at common law and under the Uniform Commercial Code; consideration and other bases for enforcing promises; when writing is required; parole evidence and interpretation; unconscionability and other defenses; rights of third parties; excuses for nonperformance; conditions, performance, and breach; and damages.

115 REAL PROPERTY I, II (3,3)

Consideration of a variety of property-related topics, including some or all of the following: historical background; possessory, and non-possessory interests in land and personal property; creation and transfer of property interests; concurrent estates; landlord and tenant law; public regulation of property; and eminent domain.

120 TORTS I, II (3,3)

Examination of civil liability for interference with a broad array of legally protected interests, focusing on such topics as intentional wrongdoing, negligence, strict liability, causation, damages, wrongful death, and the law governing joint wrongdoers. Alternatives to the existing tort system may be discussed.

125 LEGAL RESEARCH, WRITING & ANALYSIS I, II (3,3)

LRWA I trains students in the structure of the U.S. legal system, hierarchy of legal authority, legal analysis, legal research, and legal citation.  Students also receive training in critical reading, critical thinking, classical logic, the structure of legal writing, and objective legal writing.  LRWA I culminates in the drafting of an office memorandum.  LRWA II continues to build on the skills learned in LRWA I with assignments requiring more sophistsicated legal analysis.  Focus is on persuasive legal writing and training in computer assisted legal research.  LRWA II culminates in the drafting of an appellate brief and an oral argument.

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UPPER DIVISION REQUIRED COURSES:

150 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (3)

Examination of the law relating to various forms of business organizations including agency, partnership, and corporations. Specifically, this course addresses the formation and property interests associated with these legal entities, including the rights, duties, and liabilities of the participants.

155 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I, II (3,3)

Examination of constitutional development including judicial review; the relationship in our federal system between the federal government and the states; the relationship of the states to each other; the powers of the judiciary; the powers of Congress; the powers of the President; the residual powers of the states; protection of the rights of individuals; procedural due process; substantive due process, including the development of rights under the 14 th Amendment and under the "Bill of Rights"; equal protections of the laws; privileges and immunities of citizens; and the First Amendment.

160 CRIMINAL LAW (3)

Examination of criminalization, definition, classification, Actus Reus, attempt, conspiracy, agency, parties to crime, causation, felony murder, Mens Rea, limitations on criminal capacity, homicide, assault and battery, burglary, theft crimes, and defenses.

165 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (3)

Examination of the constitutional issues raised by pretrial law enforcement investigatory practices under the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The principle topics covered are search and seizure, confessions, self incriminations, identification procedures, the exclusionary rule, the right to counsel, and may include post-conviction processes.

170 EVIDENCE (4)

Examination of the law of evidence including relevancy, impeachment, burden of proof, competency, privilege, demonstrative evidence, and writings. Federal Rules of Evidence are emphasized.

175 PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2)

Examination of the attorney's relationships with society, clients, the courts, and colleagues through a focus on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Georgia variations thereof.

180 REMEDIES (3)

Examination of the theory and application of equitable remedies; the principles of equitable jurisdiction; the substantive law elements of restitution and damages.

181 LRWA III - PRETRIAL PRACTICE & PROCEDURE (2)

A study of the pretrial process in civil litigation.  Students will represent a client beginning with an intake interview through cross-motions for summary judgment.  Students will draft pleadings, discovery requests, and pretrial motions.  Students will engage in simulated exercises including interviewing and counseling a client, arguing motions, negotiating settlements, and taking or defending depositions.

182 LEGAL DRAFTING (3)

Students are trained to identify client goals, to translate those busines goals into contract concepts, and draft contractual provisions which meet the client's goals and limit the client's risks.

185 SALES & SECURED TRANSACTIONS (3)

Examination of Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code relating to sales, bulk sales, and secured transactions; creditor rights, creation and perfection of security interests; and priorities.

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ELECTIVES: ADVANCED STANDING REQUIRED

BUSINESS, COMMERCIAL & PROPERTY LAW:

305 ACCOUNTING FOR LAWYERS (3)

Practical examination of today's business environment, including the reading and understanding of financial statements and related accounting activities; an overview of business finance and investing activities; common business tax issues.

330 PAYMENT SYSTEMS (3)

Examination of the law of negotiable instruments, bank deposits and collections, letter of credit, and the Federal Trade Commission holder-in-due course regulations. Fund transfers, documents of title, investment securities, and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act of the Consumer Credit Protection Act are also covered in less detail.

334 FINANCE & FRAUD:  RIGHTS & REMEDIES (3)

Overview of financial markets including securitization and the use of debt and equity instruments.  Examination of one-sided and fraudulent practices connected with Enron, use of the Internet and its effect on contract remedies, and abuses associated with secured credit cards will be considered.  The course will also emphasize Georgia law regulating usury, pay day and title loans, the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and debt collection as well as the protection of retirement and trust funds from the bankruptcy trustee.  Prerequisites:  Business Organizations, Sales & Secured Transactions or concurrent enrollment in Sales & Secured Transactions.

335 BANKRUPTCY (3)

Examination of debtor and creditor relations and federal tax issues flowing from that relationship. The Bankruptcy Code, Chapters 7, 11, and 13 as well as cases and related proceedings are also covered, as is practice and procedure in bankruptcy courts.

338 BUSINESS PLANNING (3)

Examination of selected legal problems related to the formation and organization, financing, operation, restructuring (shifting ownership interests among shareholders) and purchase and sale of various business enterprises. The various issues require the combined consideration and application of corporate, tax, and securities law, accounting and financial matters, and business consideration and strategies. The problems also raise pertinent questions regarding the relationship between the business client and counsel and attendant problems concerning an attorney's professional responsibility. Students may be expected to prepare research memoranda and draft various legal documents.  Prerequisite:  Business Organizations.

340 ENTERTAINMENT LAW (3)

Examination of the body of law associated with the television, radio, film, recording, print, theater, and emerging technology industries.  Students learn how the law relates to the business structures, contractual relations, and internal practices of the entertainment industry. 

353 LAND USE PLANNING (2)

Examination of the law governing government regulation of land use. Subjects will include nuisance, zoning, constitutional issues of land use law (including First Amendment, equal protection, the Due Process and Takings Clauses of the Fifth Amendment) and other issues related to urban and suburban development.

355 REAL ESTATE FINANCE (2)

Examination of the various legal aspects involved in development, use, ownership, and operation of real estate. Income tax and financing aspects of development of commercial and residential property are also examined.

360 FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION (3)

Examination of income subject to taxation, including analysis of Internal Revenue Code

§61; the exclusion of gifts and inheritances; gain from dealings in property, annuities and life insurance proceeds; discharge of indebtedness, damages and related lawsuit receipts; separation and divorce and assignment of income.

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PERSONAL, TORTS & CRIMINAL LAW:

412 SEMINAR - PRIVACY LAW (2)

Examination of the historical foundation and current status of privacy rights in America in the areas of tort and constitutional law.

419 EMPLOYMENT LAW (3)

Examination of the role of law other than law pertaining to employment discrimination in regulating the employer/employee relationship.  A primary focus of the course is the erosion of the at will employment doctrine through various tort and contract theories.  Other work place regulation laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Whistle Blower Protetction Provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act among others, will also be covered.

420 EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION (3)

Comprehensive study of the various laws prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, and disability. Other employee rights laws are also covered.

430 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (3)

A survey course addressing the various legal protections for intellectual property.  A primary focus is on patents, including such topics as the right granted by a patent, determining whether an invention is patentable, and the processes for obtaining and enforcing patents.  Other intellectual property topics such as trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets are also examined.

431 COPYRIGHT LAW (2)

Study of the Copyright Act, its history and development, the constitutional basis for federal exclusive jurisdiction, its application to new technologies, and practical issues in protecting the rights conferred by copyright law.  Examination of relatetd legal protections in the fields of Internet communications, web domains, and international copyright conventions.  The course considers problems related to the protections of artistic and creative property, including a  study of the methods for securing and maintaining a copyright and the laws that govern the exploitation of copyrights.

432 TRADEMARK LAW (2)

Examination of common law and federal trademark law, including the acquisition, maintenance, and enforcement of rights, as well as the remedies available for infringement.  Unfair competition law doctrines such as "passing off" and "false designation of origin" will also be covered.  Developments in false advertising and an overview of the right of publicity, including the use of "sound-a-likes" and "look-a-likes" will be discussed.

433 PATENT LAW (2)

Examination of the nature of patents as property and the substantive law governing their enforceability in light of conflicting and historical views toward patents.  Focus on the statutory requirements for patentability and the extent to which these criteria capture the nature of innovative activity, including issues that arise in the enforcement stage, such as scope, defenses to infringement, and relationship to antitrust law.

440 WORKERS COMPENSATION (3)

An in-depth examination of employees' rights and employers' duties under workers compensation laws, and wage and hour regulations.

451 SEMINAR - DEATH PENALTY (2)

Overview of modern American death penalty law with a special focus on Georgia law and procedure.  Topics will include legal issues relevant exclusively to the death penalty and general criminal law issues that figure prominently in death penalty litigation.  All stages of death penalty litigation, including pre-trial procedure, pre-trial appeal, the two phases of trial, direct appeal, state habeas corpus, federal habeas corpus, and final appeals will be addressed.  Prerequisites:  Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure.

453 ADVANCED EVIDENCE:  SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE & THE LAW

An exploration of scientific evidentiary issues that commonly arise in civil and criminal litigation, such as DNA, fingerprints, eyewitness identification, handwriting analysis, epidemiological research, toxicology, and radar and laser technology.  Using relevant case law and scientific principles, students will gain an understanding of how to determine when scientific evidence is justified, how much weight it should be given, and how to evaluate its credibility.  The course will also focus on the role of expert testimony as it relates to scientific evidence issues.  Prerequisite:  Evidence

455 ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (3)

Examination of the criminal adjudication process from the time criminal charges are contemplated and filed through the sentencing and post-conviction phases of a criminal case.  The primary focus is on constitutional and related issues arising from the post-arrest aspects of the criminal process.  The course will cover the grand jury process and the role of prosecutorial discretion in charging decisions; various trial and sentencing issues, including:  pre-trial release and bail hearings; pre-trial discovery; speedy trial issues; the role of defense counsel; plea bargains and guilty pleas; the right to and role of a jury; trial rights, including the right to confront witnesses and to testify; double jeopardy; sentencing; and post-conviction relief.  Prerequisites:  Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure.

462 DOMESTIC RELATIONS (3)

Examination of marriage, rights and liabilities of husband and wife, annulment and divorce, alimony, child support, property rights, adoption, rights of children, duties and rights of parents, and issues involving paternity. Privacy and due process constitutional issues specific to family law are covered.

463 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (2)

Introduction to the various legal implications of domestic violence with a focus on the impact of domestic violence on family law.  The course will explore the history and theory behind the evolution of domestic violence law in the United States and Georgia.  Students will explore the psychology of battering and the need to incorporate safety planning in case strategies.  Introduction to the different issues facing victims from various cultural, racial, and social groups.  Case studies will illustrate the intersection between domestic violence and various areas of the law such as torts, immigration, and criminal law.

468 WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES (3)

Examinatoin of wills, testamentary and intestate disposition, administration of estates, private and charitable trusts, duties of trustees, and estate planning.

469 ESTATE PLANNING (3)

Building on knowledge gained in Wills, Trusts & Estates, students create estate plans and draft documents and provisions of complex documents in various client situations.  Prerequisite:  Wills, Trusts & Estates.

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PUBLIC LAW:

505 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (3)

Examination of the source of authority of administrative agencies; authority, and judicial review of agency actions, including constitutional and legislative limitations. Federal and state administrative procedure acts are also covered.

508 HEALTH CARE LAW (3)

Introduction to the complex and evolving American health care system.  Provides a basic foundation for legal practice in the field of health care law.  This course will explore patients' rights; access to care; legal liability of physicians; hospitals and managed care organizations; the structure of the health care system; and federal regulation and financing of the health care system.

510 CONFLICT OF LAWS (3)

Examiantion of the problem of choosing the law to be applied to transactions, relationships, or occurrences having contacts with more than one state in the United States or with the United States and a foreign nation. The course will also touch on adjudicatory jurisdiction, and recognition of foreign judgments.

514 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SEMINAR:  THE FIRST AMENDMENT (2)

This course will focus on political, artistic, and commercial speech; "symbolic" speech or expression; right of association; freedom of the press; freedom of assembly; the religion clauses; and the penumbras that give these freedoms life and substance.  In order to take the seminar, students must have taken Constitutional Law I and Constitutional Law II.

520 CIVIL LIBERTIES SEMINAR (2)

This seminar will allow students to work on a live legal issue and gain clinic-like experience working with a civil liberties issue.  The faculty member teaching this course will work with the Legal Director of the ACLU of Georgia to identify a case which will be appropriate for students to work on.  Students will engage in factual investigation and legal research for litigation or a legislative topic.  Students will work on developing case strategy, provide written analysis of legal issues, and may assist co-operating attorneys in various phases of litigation or the legislative process.  A written work product will be required and will form the basis of the student's grade.  Students will work in teams of 2 or 3.  In addition to the two-hour-a-week classroom component, students will be required to engage in factual investigation, client meetings, and research outside of class time.  Personal transportation may be required.  The seminar will also contain a classroom component which may include guest speakers from the ACLU.

535 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (3)

Examination of the common law, constitutional, and statutory regimes of environmental law. Attention is given to the federal statutes governing air, water, the workplace environment, hazardous wastes and toxic substances, management of natural resource, and protection of biodiversity, endangered species, noise regulation and other restrictions.

545 IMMIGRATION LAW (3)

Examination of the source and scope of the congressional power to regulate immigration; statutory provisions for immigration status based on family, employment or refugee status; provisions for admission, removal and expedited removal of non-citizens from the United States; and practice and procedure before the INS.

547 SEMINAR -- ASYLUM & REFUGEE LAW (3)

Detailed examination of the basics of asylum law and practical applications and pitfalls for potential immigration clients in the United States.  International Sources of Asylum Law, U.S. Asylum Law, Asylum & Withholding of Removal Procedures, the Convention Against Torture, and the Current State of Asylum Law in the 11th Circuit are also examined. 

565 LABOR LAW (3)

Examination of the right to organize; organization of labor unions, strikes; picketing; boycotts, collective bargaining; unfair labor practices of employers and unions; the union member and his union; the National Labor Relations Act and the Labor Management Relations Act; preemption of State regulation.

566 PUBLIC SECTOR LABOR LAW (3)

Examination of the organizational and collective bargaining rights of public sector employees with particular emphasis on dispute resolution and with special attention to Georgia's public labor management laws and practices.

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PRACTICE ORIENTED SKILLS:

603 ADVANCED LEGAL WRITING (2)

Building on practical skills learned in the first two years of law school, students will improve their ability to write sharp, clear prose, to edit their own and others' writing, and become more proficient and efficient at composing and organizing written documents.  Satisfies the upper level writing requirement.

604 ADVANCED APPELLATE ADVOCACY (2)

In depth study of appellate litigation practice.  Students will employ the advanced skills in research, writing and analysis necessary to solve complex legal problems in an appellate context.  Students will draft appellate memoranda on complex legal issues and will participate in oral argument simulations.  Advanced Appellate Advocacy is a prerequisite to membership on the Law School's moot court competition teams.

605 ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH (2)

Building on elementary legal research skills and through hands-on exercises, lectures and discussions, students learn advanced legal and non-legal research skills commonly utilized in the practice of law. Ethical matters and other thought-provoking topics are also addressed.

607 SCHOLARLY, LEGAL WRITING & EDITING (2)

In depth coverage of the basics of research, writing, and editing law review articles, comments, and student notes.  Exploration of how to develop topic choice, research strategies, and structure and organization of scholarly writing.  Analysis of legislation and use of legislative history in scholarly writing.  Enrollment in this seminar is restricted to Law Review students.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

610 LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT (2)

Survey of the practical aspects of managing a law office, including setting up a law practice, dealing effectively with clients, billing procedures, case handling procedures, and efficiently using staff. Guest speakers present information on a variety of typical small office cases, such as bankruptcy, domestic relations, and basic trial procedures.

(Pass/No Credit/Fail)

621 ARBITRATION (3)

A problem-oriented approach to the substantive common law and statute-based law of arbitration.  Coverage includes agreements to arbitrate and their enforceability under state and federal law; defenses to arbitration (including arbitrability, duress and unconscionability, consumer protection law, public interest, and successorship situations); and process issues, including remedies and judicial review.  Emphasis is on arbitration in the commercial, labor and employment law contexts.  International arbitration may be included.  The course may include a substantial drafting component.

622 MEDIATION (2)

An exploration of the theoretical and practical aspects of negotiating and mediating transactions and disputes in our legal system.  Students will, through the study of negotiation and mediation theory, develop an understanding of the context in which particular negotiation and mediation strategies and tactics are successfully employed, resolve ethical issues, and develop proficiency in negotiation and mediation both as an advocate and a neutral. (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

630 TRIAL ADVOCACY (3)

Experiential course exploring fundamental advocacy skills and the theories, strategies, and techniques in preparing and presenting a criminal or civil case to a jury. From pre-trial motions through closing argument, including jury selection, opening statement, examination of witnesses and jury instructions, the students prepare for the concluding experience, a mock jury trial. Prerequisite: Evidence (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

632 DEPOSITIONS (2)

Introduction to the theory and practice of taking and defending depositions of parties, lay witnesses and expert witnesses.  Provides training in preparation for depositions and opportunity to develop skills through extended simulations.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

650 CLIENT INTERVIEWING & COUNSELING (2)

Provides training in the techniques of interviewing and counseling clients to identify and solve legal problems. Through a theoretical framework for and experiences with simulated exercises, verbal and non-verbal skills are honed through lecture, demonstrations, discussion, role playing, simulations, practical exercises, and critiques. (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

651 NEGOTIATIONS (2)

Explores the theoretical and practical aspects of negotiation as a means of dispute resolution and focuses on the techniques, strategies, tactics, and ethical restraints and responsibilities of the lawyer. Students engage in exercises, reviews, and critiques.

(Pass/No Credit/Fail)

655 GEORGIA PRACTICE & PROCEDURE (2)

In-depth study of the statutory and constitutional framework of Georgia civil practice, including venue, personal, and subject matter jurisdiction, service of process, and the rules of evidence.

660 EXTERNSHIP (2 - 4)

Involves a field placement under the supervision of a judge or a practicing attorney in a corporate legal department, governmental agency or public interest agency.  Field placements that involve litigation are open only to third-year sutdents who are eligible to practice under Georgia's Third-Year Practice Act.  Eligible students must have successfully completed all first year courses, be in good academic standing and have at least a 2.00 GPA.  Students must perform 60 hours of legal work for each credit hour and participate in a classroom component with the faculty supervisor.  Interested students are encouraged to consult with the faculty supervisor for further information.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

670 ADVANCED BAR STUDIES (2)

This is a skills development course providing students with an intensive review of selected legal material routinely tested on the bar exam, and uses problems and exercises in a bar exam format to familiarize students with techniques for answering multiple choice (MBE) questions and analyzing, organizing, and writing essay and multistate performance (MPT) questions.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

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INTERDISCIPLINARY:

705 JURISPRUDENCE (3)

Introduction to the philosophy of law and the legal process. Designed to give students theoretical understanding of the origin and development of Jurisprudence in general; beginning with Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and the Bible; and including the works of various political and legal theorists covering the Classical Age, the Middle Age, the Modern Age, and the Twentieth Century. The course addresses selected philosophies, such as natural theory, legal positivism, legal realism, formalism, and utilitarianism, amongst others.

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COMPARATIVE/INTERNATIONAL:

810 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS (3)

Examination of selected problems in international trade, surveying some of the many issues encountered in private international transactions and emphasizing the options available to counsel engaged in the "preventative" practice of law.  Primary focus will be on recognizing and anticipating potential problems, and choosing the most appropriate form or structure for the business in order to manage the increased risk inherent in international transactions.

811 INTERNATIONAL CIVIL LITIGATION (3)

Examination of the problems of conducting civil litigation across national boundaries.  Topics for examination include jurisdictional, service, discovery, and parallel proceedings issues; issues arising out of international commercial disputes including international commercial arbitration and enforcement of arbitral awards; and issues presented when nations are parties to international lawsuits, including questions of sovereign immunity, and the Foreighn Sovereign Immunity Act.

815 INTERNATIONAL LAW (3)

Examination of international law as applied between the United States and other nations. Resolution of international disputes; international environmental issues; the Law of the Sea; the role of the United Nations; war and diplomacy; the Act of State Doctrine; the formation and validity of treaties are also covered.

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STUDENT PROGRAMS:

910 ATLA COMPETITION TEAM (2)

Students selected to participate as members of the ATLA competition team may receive academic credit for successful completion of this competition.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

911 NACD TRIAL COMPETITION TEAM (2)

Students selected to participate as members of the NACD trial competition team may receive academic credit for successful completion of this program.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

915 NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION TEAM (2)

Students selected to participate as members of the National Moot Court Competition Team may receive academic credit for successful completion of this competition. (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

916 INTRA-STATE MOOT COURT COMPETITION TEAM (2)

Students selected to particpate as memberes of the Intra-State Moot Court competition team may receive academic credit for successful completion of this competiton. 

(Pass/No Credit/Fail)

920 FREDERICK DOUGLASS MOOT COURT COMPETITION (2)

Students selected to participate as members of the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition team may receive academic credit for successful completion of this competition. (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

930 ABA CLIENT INTERVIEWING & COUNSELING COMPETITION TEAM (2)

Stduents selected to participate as members of the ABA Client Interviewing & Counseling competition team may receive academic credit for successful completion of the competition.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

980 WRITING FOR THE MPT (1)

A review and reinforcement of analytical writing skills, with the goal of preparing students for the MultiState Performance Test portion of the bar exam.  Topics will include logic, factual analysis, case-synthesis, large-scale organization, small-scale organization, time-management skills, and legal analysis.

990 DIRECTED RESEARCH (2)

Comprehensive individual research projects under supervision of a faculty member resulting in a scholarly paper. Topic and unit credit must be approved in advance.  See Academic Code Section 705.  (Pass/No Credit/Fail)

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Degree Requirements

To be recommended by the faculty for receipt of the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, a student must meet the following requirements:

Completion with passing grades of all required courses, and of 88 credit hours of study of which a minimum of 60 credit hours must be in residence at John Marshall;

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all graded work undertaken at the School of Law ; and

Attendance in residence for six academic semesters in the full-time division or eight academic semesters in the part-time divisions having enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit each semester in the full-time division and eight semester hours of credit each semester in the part-time division; and

 The student's tuition account is current.

The School of Law may require a leave upon specified terms, terminate a student's enrollment, or decline to award a degree if the Administration determines that this is in the best interests of the School or that a student is not qualified for admission to the legal profession because of factors other than academic standing.

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