Advanced Legal Research (2 Credits)
This course will build upon basic legal research skills and expose the student to the information resources utilized by researchers in several specialized areas of law. Following a review of legal research fundamentals (including a review of both secondary and primary materials), the course will focus on specialized research materials in the areas of transnational law, state and local law, company information, business and industry research, securities filings, intellectual property, and an in-depth focus on legislative and administrative materials. Enrollment limited. Pass/Fail.
AI Augmented Legal Research (1 Credit)
Offered as part of the VAILL course concentration. This course offers an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of legal research, focusing on the integration and application of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in legal research tools. Students will engage with the latest AI-driven legal research technologies, examining their design, use cases, functionalities, and implications for legal practice and jurisprudence. The course focuses heavily on hands on practice with emerging tech tools, enabling students to critically assess and proficiently use AI tools for legal research. Emphasis will be placed on ethical considerations, accuracy, and the impact of AI on traditional legal research methodologies. Through a mix of lectures, in class exercise and a capstone research project, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the current and future state of AI in legal research. Enrollment limited. Pass/Fail.
Business and Securities Research (1 Credit)
After a brief overview of the legal research process and resources, this course will introduce students to specific sources and strategies for researching a variety of business law topics, including corporations and securities. It will cover key primary and secondary sources for business law research: state and federal cases, statutes, regulations, and other administrative materials; subject-specific secondary sources; company disclosure documents; and sources for factual company and industry research, among others. The course will emphasize research process, strategies, and evaluation of sources, including exposure to databases beyond Westlaw and Lexis. Basic knowledge of corporate and securities law is assumed. Pass/Fail. Enrollment limited.
Energy, Environment, and Land Use Legal Research (1 Credit)
This course offers an in-depth exploration of research methods across a spectrum of critical areas affecting land use, energy, and environmental law. Through a structured exploration of federal, state, and local government law, students will gain insights into finding pertinent statutes, regulations, supplementary agency information, and ordinances that shape the landscape of land use, energy, and environmental law. Additionally, participants will explore conducting research in the area of private environmental governance, learn the intricacies of finding public information, and stay abreast of developments through news and current awareness strategies. This course is designed to offer flexibility in application, ensuring students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of legal research in these critical areas. Pass/Fail.
Intellectual Property Research (1 Credit)
This course will begin with a refresher on standard legal research processes and resources, and will then proceed to provide specific strategies and sources for intellectual property law research, focusing on copyright, patent, and trademark law. Key primary and secondary sources addressed will include cases; statutes, regulations, and administrative materials; articles, treatises, and Restatements; and other subject-specific resources. The course will also provide a brief overview of international IP law research. Research processes, evaluation of sources, and exposure to databases beyond Lexis and Westlaw will all be emphasized. Previous knowledge of intellectual property law is helpful but not required. Pass/Fail. Enrollment Limited.
Law Firm Practice Simulation (1 Credit)
This simulation provides a realistic bridge between academic legal education and the practical demands of law firm employment, by immersing students in the reality of law firm practice. Students will be assigned to either litigation or transactional practice groups, mirroring the structure of modern law firms. Throughout the course, students will receive weekly assignments requiring legal research and the drafting of various documents including client memoranda, court filings, and transactional documents. Students will develop critical practice skills by managing multiple cases and project loads simultaneously, collaborating with their classmates, and adhering to deadlines. The course also emphasizes the importance of current awareness and business research as essential components of effective legal practice. Students will be expected to monitor relevant legal developments in their practice areas and incorporate this knowledge into their work. Pass/Fail. Enrollment limited.
Legal Practice Technology (1 Credit)
This course will cover the technological tools of law practice, giving students both an opportunity to use these tools and an understanding of their development. Students will explore case management systems, eDiscovery tools, competitive intelligence solutions, and some of the other rapidly evolving applications and devices confronting the 21st-century attorney. “Hands-on” use of these tools will be emphasized. Students will also explore the issues arising from new technological developments in law practice. These topics include new ethics requirements for more technologically savvy attorneys and the implications of technology on client confidentiality. Pass/Fail. Enrollment Limited
Transnational Legal Research (1 Credit)
This course introduces students to concepts and skills used in transnational legal research. This course will build upon basic legal research skills and expose the student to information sources utilized by researchers in conducting transnational legal research. Both primary and secondary authority will be covered in various formats. The course will focus on advanced methodologies and strategies for transnational legal research. Research topics will include treaties & international agreements; customary international law; human rights law; international intellectual property law, and other related topics. Recommended for students interested in international legal practice, members of the Jessup Moot Court team, and the 2L staff of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law. Pass/Fail. Enrollment limited.