Simulation Courses
Simulation courses are designed to help students learn through simulation. Simulation courses are typically two hours and, unless otherwise indicated, graded on a pass/fail basis. Enrollment is typically limited to 20 or 30 students per class. Please note that not all simulation courses are offered every semester.
5610 Advanced Legal Research (2)
This is an experiential simulation course in which students develop legal research skills while resolving factual scenarios in a lawyer/client setting. Through a series of simulated exercises with faculty feedback, students develop their knowledge of, and skill in using, legal research sources, methods, and strategies. The course builds on and expands basic research skills by including sources not covered in the first-year Legal Research and Writing course, including international and foreign law, practice materials, administrative law, legislative history, search strategies, and cost-effective legal research. Both federal and Louisiana state legal research sources are covered. This course is graded on the 4.0 scale.
5633 Advanced Copyright Practice (3)
This course provides a simulation of the experience of a new copyright attorney in a transactional or non-trial practice along with related instruction. The course is organized around a series of writing-intensive practical assignments for a fictional client or clients, which assignments require students to integrate and apply a range of doctrinal, practical, ethical, and other knowledge and skills throughout the semester. This course is graded on the 4.0 scale. Prerequisite: Introduction to Intellectual Property 5434 or permission of the instructor.
5826 Advanced Trial and Evidence Practice (2)
Prerequisite: Evidence (LAW 5605). Students cannot take this course and LAW 5881 (Pre-Trial Litigation Practice). This is an experiential simulation course that follows a case from the discovery stage through the close of trial. Students enrolled in the course are divided into two law firms, with the instructors acting as senior partners. Through a series of simulated exercises with faculty feedback, students learn about trial practice and the practical application of rules of evidence. This course is graded Pass/Fail (E, HP, P, F). Participation requires consent of the instructor.
5883 Business Transactions Practice (2)
This is an experiential simulation course in which students learn about the representation of business clients. Students are assigned to law firms in which they will represent either the buyer or seller of a small business. Through a series of simulated exercises and faculty feedback, students interview clients, review financial reports and business plans and negotiate the terms of a contract transferring a business to new owners, financing the transfer, draft the appropriate contract and legal opinion documents, plan for and execute a closing of the transaction. Students also examine the accounting documents, tax consequences, financing documents, insurance considerations, relevant regulatory requirements and other appropriate considerations necessary for legal representation in the transaction. This course is graded Pass/Fail (E, HP, P, F). Participation requires consent of the instructor.
5884 Criminal Litigation Practice (2)
This is an experiential simulation course that focuses on the pretrial phase of the criminal litigation process. Through a series of simulated exercises with faculty feedback, students will learn about arrest warrants and probable cause affidavits, charging procedures, bail and bonds, discovery, motion practice, and plea bargaining, and jury selection. This course is graded Pass/Fail (E, HP, P, F). Participation requires consent of the instructor.
5828 Divorce and Child Custody Mediation Practice (2)
This is an experiential simulation course that covers general mediation theory and practice focusing on those skills specific to resolution of conflicts and shared family decision-making involving issues of child custody, support, and property that occur in divorce and family disputes. The course covers all of the statutory subjects enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Sec. 9:334 required for Qualified Domestic Mediators. Those include: (1) the Louisiana judicial system and the judicial procedure in domestic cases; (2) ethical standards including confidentiality and conflict interests; (3) child development, including impact of divorce on development; (4) family systems theory; (5) communication skills; and (6) the mediation process and required documentation execution. The course will offer students repeated opportunities to practice their mediation skills through simulated exercises. This course is graded on the 4.0 scale. Participation requires consent of the instructor.
5823 Law Office Practice (2)
This is an experiential simulation course in which students learn the skills necessary to effectively manage a law office. Through simulated exercises and problem based scenarios, students learn techniques in legal writing and preparation of legal instruments; including preparation of contracts, wills, trusts, pleadings, legal opinion letters, and other documents commonly used in practice. Students also engage in the study of law office management methods and practice and the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct related to law office management. The course is graded Pass/Fail (E, HP, P, F). Participation requires consent of the instructor.
5631 Legal Interviewing and Counseling (2)
Legal Interviewing and Counseling is an experiential course that explores the attorney-client relationship and the essential lawyering skills necessary for effective client interviewing, counseling, and decision making. Students gain experience conducting meaningful interviews of clients as well as rendering advice and counseling through repeated simulated exercises. Students also gain an understanding of the professional and ethical obligations required in oral and written communication with clients, opposing counsel, and third parties. This course is graded on the 4.0 scale.
5822 Legal Negotiations Practice (2)
This is an experiential simulation course in which students learn different theories and techniques used in the negotiation process. Through simulated exercises and faculty feedback, students have an opportunity to perfect their own negotiation style in different areas of the practice of law. Throughout the course, a special emphasis is placed on professionalism and the Rules of Professional Conduct as they apply to negotiations. This course is graded Pass/Fail (E, HP, P, F). Participation requires consent of the instructor.
5881 Pre-Trial Litigation Practice (2)
Students cannot take this course and LAW 5826 (Advanced Trial and Evidence Practice). This is an experiential simulation course that places exclusive emphasis on the pretrial phase of the litigation process: (1) drafting of pleadings and pretrial motions; (2) discovery issues; (3) preparation and use of expert witnesses; and (4) pretrial conference and pretrial order. Through a series of simulated exercises and faculty feedback, students learn about the pre-trial litigation process, relevant civil procedure, and the ethical and professional obligations of attorneys in this early stage of litigation. This course is graded Pass/Fail (E, HP, P, F). Participation requires consent of the instructor. Prerequisites: Evidence (LAW 5605) and Trial Advocacy (LAW 5608).
5608 Trial Advocacy (1)
Third-year students only. This is an experiential simulation course. Through a series of simulated exercises with faculty feedback, students engage in trial practice, including preparation, pleadings, and the conduct of a trial. This course is graded Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Evidence (LAW 5605).
