Course Offerings

Negotiation theory, practical skills training and an examination of settlement issues combine to give students confidence that they can negotiate legal disputes effectively and with integrity. Students participate in class discussions and negotiation simulations, complete written assignments and submit a paper.

Introduction to sources and strategies for basic legal research including finding cases, statutes, regulations, and secondary authorities. Introduction to sources and strategies for basic legal research.

This course will cover Spanish language skills used in legal settings. The focus will be on listening and speaking comprehension, with some reading and writing. The course will offer a broad overview of the basics of the legal systems in Spanish-speaking countries to enable students to communicate legal concepts more accurately and efficiently.  This course is graded pass/fail. Fluency is not required, but students should have at least an intermediate, conversational ability in order to fully participate. Please contact the instructor with any questions.

This course will build upon the Spanish language skills used in legal settings covered in Legal Spanish I. The focus will be on advanced listening and speaking comprehension, with some reading and writing. The course will offer an advanced overview of the basics of the legal systems in Spanish-speaking countries to enable students to communicate legal concepts more accurately and efficiently.  This course will be graded pass/fail.

This course is designed for LL.M. students in the Master of Laws program who have received their law degrees from a foreign institution. The course will introduce students to fundamental principles of law, including statutory and common law, U.S. federalism, the adversary system and jury trials. The course will also provide a basic overview of various areas of U.S. law.

The evolution of First Amendment principles and how they apply to media providers, media consumers, and social media.  The course includes readings, classroom discussion, and independent research projects in which the student will complete a research paper and then present that paper to the class. (This class is pass/fail).

The twenty-first century remains an era of continuous and bold transformation in constitutional regimes. The tides threatening constitutional democracy appear to fluctuate in recent years. In some states around the world, they appear to be weakening, while in others they seem reinforced. While the United States appears to be ion the democratic worry list, neither Italy nor Germany has gone the way of Poland, Hungary, Turkey. The constitutional democracy worry list remains extensive. Constitutional democracy collapsed in Hong Kong, is collapsing in Brazil, and has weakened considerably in Australia, a country that a few years ago was an example of a regime that had seemingly resisted the right-wing “populist” tide.Contemporary constitutional systems are so diverse that they do not present a clear and predictable development direction. The comparative landscape of constitutional legal systems is rife with uncertainty and disorientation. Confident predictions about countries and global systems are often falsified in the (often considerable) time necessary to get those predictions published in scholarly articles and books. Who anticipated that Trump would revive his career after the January 6, 2021, insurrection or that PiS would lose substantial control over the Polish government? Works on democratic resilience now appear as frequently as works on democratic decline.From one perspective, constitutional democracy, once thought to epitomize political stability, has been found to be vulnerable. Threats to contemporary constitutional democracies come at least as often from democratic processes as from anti-democratic events, such as a military coup. Too often, the institutions representative democracy are unable to mediate and find common ground between different social demands, leading to the emergence of a polarization that fosters the totalitarian potential inherent in democracy. Rival factions become the “enemy within” rather than fellow citizens with different conceptions of the public good.From a different perspective, constitutional democracy now appears more resilient than suggested by much scholarship published during the first two decades of the twentieth century. Poland is the poster child for democratic resilience. That country in 2018 appeared a lost democracy. The European Union (EU) seemed incapable of reacting effectively to the continuous challenges Poland posed to the EU legal system and fundamental rights’ protection. Polish civil society and the Polish people, however, proved capable of reversing what appeared an inevitably slide toward authoritarianism. The opposition’s win in the November 2023 opened a new– yet difficult– path for Poland toward the restoration of the rule of law.The main lesson the recent past teaches is that history governance throughout the globe is experiencing great transformations. Recent events in Israel, the United States, Austria, and other countries suggest constitutional democracy is unlikely to ever permanently triumph over authoritarianism. Recent events in Polish and elsewhere highlight the importance of studying the features and conditions of democratic resilience and reaction, exploring what mechanisms and factors contribute to halt (and reverse) processes of backsliding and autocratization. Constitutional democracies, the evidence from the twenty-first century indicates, experience different forms of stress in some places at all times and in all places at some times. At any time, particular constitutional democracies are likely to be in crisis, and particular aspects of these crises threaten to spread. The crucial question is when and whether those crises reflect an inevitable political cycle of democratic decline and renewal or whether the practice of constitutional democracy is under a set of global stresses from which that form of governance may not recover.The Course will focus on the questions or resilience or vulnerability within several constitutional democracies from all over the world.

This course for MSL students focuses on analytical skills such as reading critically, deconstructing rules, synthesizing authorities, organizing legal analysis, and communicating that analysis in writing. Emphasis is also placed on writing style and skills that will enable MSL students to communicate professionally about legal issues in their chosen careers.

Introduces the process of legal analysis and reasoning and teaches students to produce written documents in the style and format appropriate for the audience and purpose, with an emphasis on objective analysis and writing

Course develops advanced skills of legal analysis and reasoning within the context of both objective analysis and legal argument. Students will produce written documents in the style and format appropriate for the audience and purpose. Also covered are basic concepts, conventions, and formats for drafting legal documents.

This basic survey course has two major goals. First, though we think of ourselves as a common law country, most of our laws come from statutes. Lawyers, in whatever kind of law practice they engage, find themselves confronted regularly with statutes which must be made sense of. Therefore, the ability to read, interpret, and argue from statutes is a fundamental skill for any attorney. The first goal of this course, then, is to introduce the practical skills and basic theory for working with statutes. Second, and more broadly, students may have noticed that "law school" might be better described as "court school." That is, there is much education about courts, judges, and judicial process, but far less about how most of our laws are made. The second goal of this course, then, is to explore the legislative process and to begin to understand how the three branches of the federal government (and most states, as well) speak to one another. The course will combine standard law school teaching methods (lecture and Socratic discussion) with interactive classroom exercises. Most of the course grade will be based on an exam, but classroom engagement and perhaps one or two (very very short) written assignments will factor in as well. This course will be taught as a blended learning course. It will meet each Tuesday in person. On Fridays, it will sometimes meet in person, and sometimes virtually. In addition, some Friday classes will be replaced by podcasts that students can listen to at their leisure, together with writing assignments and small group meetings. Please email Professor Levin with any questions (hlevin@uga.edu).

This basic survey course has two major goals. First, though we think of ourselves as a common law country, most of our laws come from statutes. Lawyers, in whatever kind of law practice they engage, find themselves confronted regularly with statutes which must be made sense of. Therefore, the ability to read, interpret, and argue from statutes is a fundamental skill for any attorney. The first goal of this course, then, is to introduce the practical skills and basic theory for working with statutes. Second, and more broadly, students may have noticed that "law school" might be better described as "court school." That is, there is much education about courts, judges, and judicial process, but far less about how most of our laws are made. The second goal of this course, then, is to explore the legislative process and to begin to understand how the three branches of the federal government (and most states, as well) speak to one another. The course will combine standard law school teaching methods (lecture and Socratic discussion) with interactive classroom exercises. Most of the course grade will be based on an exam, but classroom engagement and perhaps one or two (very very short) written assignments will factor in as well.

This class follows the life-cycle of a corporation from inception through venture financing, IPO, M&A, and bankruptcy, aiming to provide an overview of corporate practice. The class incorporates Harvard Business School cases and emphasizes group work and participation. Beyond the substantive coverage, the course introduces students to the various kinds of drafting a corporate practice requires. Students are evaluated on class participation, 3 drafting exercises, and a final paper and presentation.

Life Cycle of a Corporation covers the legal transactions involved in each stage of business evolution - from a founder leaving a current employer and the birth of a new company, through raising venture capital and growing the business, culminating in an initial public offering (IPO), acquisition or other exit strategy.

Limited liability companies (LLCs) and partnerships are the most common legal entity forms used by U.S. businesses today.  This course focuses on the legal, financial, tax, and other practical matters relating to LLCs and partnerships and the terms of their governing documents.  Class attendance and participation are required. 

LLM Legal Writing and Research introduces LLM students to the process of legal analysis, reasoning, and research in American law. The course teaches students to produce written documents in the style and format appropriate for the audience and purpose, with an emphasis on objective analysis and writing. The course also teaches students the fundamentals of legal research.

This seminar focuses on the legal problems and issues associated with the unique, growing phenomenon of mass torts, e.g., the B.P. Oil Spill, the 9/11 litigation, tobacco, Agent Orange, Dalkon Shield, breast implants, asbestos personal injury litigation, etc. We will examine such issues as consolidation of state and federal litigation in one forum, judicial determination of who should appropriately manage the litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants, how courts determine legal causation, strategic and ethical considerations for plaintiffs and defendants, strategies for litigation funding, alternatives to judicial resolution, and issues associated with Congressional intervention. This class will explore the overriding question of whether the courts can dispense individual justice in cases involving thousands of litigants. Course requirements will include writing a substantial research paper as well as actively participating in class discussion.

Examines a variety of legal issues affecting the news media. After an introductory examination of traditional constitutional issues arising out of the First Amendment and a philosophical look at the justifications for free speech protection, the course explores how these traditional principles are balanced against competing interests not only in constitutional law but also in common law and statutory regulations. Issues dealt with include prior restraint, defamation, privacy, access to court proceedings, access to government meetings and documents, the reporter's privilege, and intellectual property issues affecting the press. In addition this course addresses issues specific to electronic media, although it focuses on the communicative, as opposed to the administrative or regulatory aspects of this emerging area of law.

Media law is dynamic and colorful, and our understanding of it is changing. New communication technologies, for example, are prompting lawyers, judges, and scholars to reconsider traditional legal doctrines and concepts. This course addresses the old and the new, with a focus on the philosophical basis of free expression; the principles that animate the First Amendment; and the discrete issues that most often impact the media, including prior restraints, privacy, defamation, intellectual property, access to public meetings and records, protection of news sources and notes, access to courts, and obscenity and indecency. The fine print: This is an online class that meets by Zoom from 7 to 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday, with other asynchronous material assigned weekly. Final grades will be determined by writing projects, not a traditional exam. If you have questions, please email jonathan.peters@uga.edu. Instructor: Jonathan Peters is a media law professor at the University of Georgia, with appointments in the School of Law and the College of Journalism and Mass Communication. He is the press freedom correspondent for the Columbia Journalism Review, and he is a frequent commentator on media law issues for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, CNN, NPR, and PBS. Peters conducts research in both American and international media law, and he is coauthor of the book The Law of Public Communication.

JURI 5576E: Media Law Summer Term 2020 (3 Credit Hours) Description: Media law is dynamic and colorful, and our understanding of it is changing. New communication technologies, for example, are prompting lawyers, judges, and scholars to reconsider traditional legal doctrines and concepts. This course addresses the old and the new, with a focus on the philosophical basis of free expression; the principles that animate the First Amendment; and the discrete issues that most often impact the media, including prior restraints, privacy, defamation, intellectual property, access to public meetings and records, protection of news sources and notes, access to courts, and obscenity and indecency. The fine print: This is an online class that meets by Zoom from 7 to 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday, with other asynchronous material assigned weekly. Final grades will be determined by writing projects, not a traditional exam. This course will soon be posted in the scheduling system, at which point the school will circulate the registration number. If you have questions, please email jonathan.peters@uga.edu. Instructor: Jonathan Peters is a media law professor at the University of Georgia, with appointments in the School of Law and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. He is the press freedom correspondent for the Columbia Journalism Review, and he has written about legal issues for Esquire, The Atlantic, and Wired, among others. Peters conducts research in both American and international media law, and he is coauthor of the book The Law of Public Communication.

Topics may include the origins of mediation, psychological obstacles to settlement, and case valuation.  The course will also explore mediation advocacy, negotiation of money and terms, and how to memorialize a settlement.  The future of mediation and possibilities for achieving an efficient and transparent marketplace will also be addressed.

This clinical course includes four primary components: 1) solo mediation of selected cases in the Clarke County Magistrate Court, 2) weekly two-hour class sessions which will combine in-depth assessments of completed cases and integrated discussions of readings in mediation theory and practice, 3) advanced readings on mediation and dispute resolution theory, and 4) regular periodic reflective writing in the form of two journals and a learning appraisal. Students will meet individually with the clinical supervisor for individual feedback and evaluation.

The course consists of in-class, simulation-based training, including interactive training on the mediation process, the role and competencies of the mediator, ethical and regulatory rules governing mediation and a series of specific topics of mediation practice. It also includes an introduction to small claims court and to the primary legal issues that students will encounter in practice. This course is designed to satisfy the requirements of the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution ("GODR") for the training of court-certified mediators.

A nuts and bolts approach to medical malpractice law and litigation in Georgia. Taught by practicing attorneys, plaintiff and defense perspectives are offered. While the focus is on substantive law, the procedural aspects of such cases are also covered.

The legal issues relating to mental health and illness, including competency, disability, confidentiality (HIPAA), duty to warn, civil commitment, criminal defenses, discrimination, and similar issues. Recommended for students planning careers in the helping professions, including social work, therapy, psychology, education, and criminal justice.