LL.M. in Foundations of American Law

Survey of the law of agency and partnerships, corporations and other business structures. Study of: the law governing formation, control, liabilities, property, dissolution and disposition of partnerships; internal and external relations of partners; and close and public corporations, their origins, structure, rights and liabilities of management and shareholders. J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521 and 522. LAW 541, 542, 551, and 554 are recommended but not required. Co-requisite: LAW 603.

Study of the law governing commercial transactions with primary focus on sales (Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), leases (Article 2A of the UCC) and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521 and 522.

Thorough study of the basic concepts of secured transactions (Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) including scope, attachment, priority, perfection and remedies on default, plus an introduction to relevant bankruptcy concepts. J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521, 522, 561 and 562. LAW 621 is recommended but not required.

General introduction to the law and legal regulation of family associations. Focuses on the relationships of husband and wife, parent and child and, in that context, assists in developing a thorough understanding of biblical, historic and contemporary legal principles and rules governing the family and other intimate relationships. Probes contemporary topics related to law and the family in light of current legal and cultural settings. J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521, 522, 561 and 562. Cross-listed with MLAW 661.

(1) The philosophical and theological sources and nature of American law and justice; (2) the role of lawyers in the American justice system; and (3) jurisprudential thinking about what lawyers do, including select substantive legal issues.

American legal system and skills necessary to succeed in that system, including reading cases and statutes, analyzing legal issues, and researching selected topics of American law. Course culmination is a legal research paper.

Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising under common law; intentional, negligence and strict liability torts and theories of liability and recovery; defamation, interference with contract, and strict products liability.

Authority and duties of lawyers in the practice of their profession as advocate, mediator and counselor, and of their responsibility to God, government, courts, bar and to their clients. The course focuses on the ABA Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant state professional codes of professional responsibility.

Study of limitations imposed on law enforcement activities by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution as applied to the States via the 14th Amendment. Procedurally, the course considers the criminal justice process from the investigation through arrest and initial court appearance.

Jurisdiction of federal and state courts and fundamental issues related to a plaintiff’s ability to sue a defendant in a specific federal district, including subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction and venue.

The law pertaining to the nature of private property, both real and personal, including biblical principles relevant to property acquisition and ownership, personal property issues, donative transfers, the common law classification of estates and future interests, and concurrent estates. The law and biblical principles pertaining to the acquisition, ownership and use of real property; landlord-tenant law; easements; covenants and servitudes; transfers of interests in real property, including an examination of merchantable title, deeds, legal descriptions, conveyancing, recording systems and title assurance, adverse possession, and land use controls.

Introduction to the basis legal principles of intestate succession; to the execution, construction, revocation and interpretation of wills; to the creation of trusts; to the fiduciary administration of trusts and estates; and to the acquisition of the basic legal principles of transferring family wealth.

Required during the first semester of enrollment. Acclimates students to Blackboard, the platform from which online classes are launched.