LAW 791 - In-House Counsel

Unit(s): 2

This two credit course will explore the unique legal and practical challenges that face counsel working in corporate law departments of various sizes [or specifically in start-ups]. Students will come to understand the use of the legal function as a tool which is critical to innovation and furthering business objectives. Themes addressed will include client service, driving business objectives through the legal function, and the independent duties owed by a corporate attorney to the corporation, as well as, where tensions arise between those themes. These themes will be examined through topics such as selecting and managing outside counsel and expense, drafting and negotiating contracts, and managing IP, employment and litigation matters, each as distinct from the responsibilities of outside counsel. The course will also examine matters of corporate compliance, governance, and the attorney-client privilege specific to the in-house context. In addition to legal issues, students will build practical business skills such as business writing, metric-tracking and counseling the non-lawyer business client in order to realize business objectives.

Restriction: College restricted to School of Law
School of Law