San Francisco Law School Program and Coursework
San Francisco Law School offers a comprehensive curriculum for law students matriculating
for their J.D. Degree:
Advanced Legal Writing (3) (pass/fail)
This course is designed to teach students analytical and organizational skills used
in drafting all types of legal documents, from appellate briefs to client letters.
This course, with its varied and extensive writing assignments and critiques, will
serve graduates in their future practice of law.
Advanced Legal Reasoning (2-2) (pass/fail)
Emphasizes extensive review in the identification and analysis of legal issues concentrating
on torts, contracts and real property in a test environment.
Bar Strategies (1) (credit/no credit)
This course focuses on the essay portion of the California Bar Examination. It will
also focus on the preparation, issue spotting, analysis, time management and writing
style.
Civil Procedure (2-2)
Subject matter and territorial jurisdictions; venue; joinder of parties and claims;
litigation process including pleadings, service of process, discovery, summary judgments,
dismissal, trial and appeal; res judicata and collateral estoppel.
Commercial Law (U.C.C.) (3)
Primarily Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Sales: warranties; acceptance,
rejection and revocation of acceptance of goods sold; remedies of buyers and sellers.
Secured transactions: creation and perfection of security interests; priorities; remedies
upon default.
Community Property (2)
Historical development of community property law; jurisdictional issues; classification
of marital property, community or separate; valuation of community property including
business and goodwill; management of marital property; liability for marital and individual
debts; division of community property on dissolution or death; problems posed by unmarried,
cohabiting couples.
Constitutional Law (3-3)
The federal structure: judicial review, congressional powers, separation of powers,
commerce power, state powers and federalism. Individual rights: due process, equal
protection, state action, freedom of religion, and freedom of expression.
Contracts (3-3)
Remedies for breach of contract; consideration; offer and acceptance; problems of
performance; conditions; impossibility; third party beneficiaries; assignment; Parol
Evidence Rule; Statute of Frauds.
Corporations (3-3)
Formation; pre-incorporation activities; de facto corporations; ultra vires acts.
Role, authority and meetings of officers, directors and shareholders, standard of
care. Proxy solicitations; close corporations; fiduciary relations; shareholder litigation.
Capitalization, dividend distributions. Fundamental changes; partnerships and agency.
Criminal Law (2-2)
Nature and sources of criminal law; elements of crimes; analysis of specific crimes;
legal defenses; California Penal Code and decisions; procedure.
Criminal Procedure (3)
Arrest through Appellate Proceeding, including bail, arraignment, preliminary motions,
discovery and trial procedure. Recent Supreme Court decisions on right to counsel,
freedom from pre-judicial publicity, fair trial and other constitutional guarantees.
Evidence (2-2)
The study of what is admissible toward proof in State and Federal Courts: problems
in relevancy, materiality and competency, including character evidence, impeachment
and rules of witness examination. Study of admissibility of opinion evidence, hearsay
and its exceptions, writings, and scientific evidence; limitations due to privileges
and constitutional considerations; the effect of "burdens of proof" and presumptions.
Legal Research (2-2) (pass/fail)
This is a two semester course, featuring the study and application of legal research
techniques in both hard copy and electronic format. A hands-on approach assists the
students with recognizing legal issues, and guides them in the practical application
of the Lexis-Nexus legal database.
A foundational approach in traditional legal research and methods prepares the students
to advance towards the use of electronic research tools. Persuasive legal authorities,
Boolian math, appropriate search strategies and legal citations are some of the topics
covered.
Legal Writing (2-2) (pass/fail)
This two-semester course encompasses a thorough analysis of the case method as used
in the American Legal System. The students are instructed in the traditional techniques
for case briefings, coupled with the IRAC approach to essay writing.
Topics also include the development of professional skills, outline skills and exam
writing techniques.
Moot Court (2) (pass/fail)
Practical application of legal principles at appellate level, oral argument and preparation
of briefs on appeal; California appellate court procedure and practice.
Professional Responsibility (2) - Online Course
Application of the California Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Rules of
Professional Conduct and relevant case materials. Examination of disciplinary system;
relationship between disciplinary and legal malpractice liability. Duties of attorneys
with respect to clients, the courts, opposing parties and the public. Problems arising
from conflicts of interest.
Real Property (3-3)
The law of real property; historical background; common law estates, interests and
future interests; Statute of Uses and modern conveyancing; concurrent ownership; landlord
and tenant; deeds and delivery; boundaries; recording acts and title search; contract
for sale of land; easements, servitudes and other land use restrictions; adverse possession;
landowners' rights, including air, water, mineral and lateral and subjacent support.
Remedies (2-2)
General scope of remedies; principles governing general use of equitable remedies;
general scope of interpleader, declaratory relief (and related remedies), constructive
trusts, and equitable liens. Principles governing use of, and defenses to, specific
performance and injunctions; equitable conversions; technical aspects of injunctions;
damages.
Torts (3-3)
This course examines: Intentional wrongs to person and property; unintentional wrongs;
negligence; duty of persons in control of property; tort liability arising out of
contractual relationships; liability for defective products; liability without fault;
deceit; defamation; malicious prosecution; interference with contractual, economic
and other legally predictable relations; tort alternatives.
Trial Practice (3) (pass/fail)
The course considers litigation problems, practical, legal and ethical that confront
a trial lawyer. Emphasis is given to techniques of client interviewing and investigation,
both informal and by use of statutory discovery procedures, and pleading. The student
gains classroom experience in trial procedures from voir dire examination, opening
statements, direct and cross examination through final argument.
Wills and Trusts (2-2)
This course covers intestacy; execution of wills; integration; republication; incorporation
by reference, independent significance; revocation and revival; will contracts; lapse;
ademption; will contests; will substitutes; nature and classification of trusts; elements
of a trust; creation of inter-vivos and testamentary trusts; revocable and irrevocable
trusts; insurance trusts; nature of the beneficiary's interest, including restraints
on alienation and principles regarding transferability, modification, and termination
of trusts; charitable trusts; fiduciary administration, including qualification, duties,
standards, liabilities, management, investment, and accounting.
Electives
Alternative Dispute Resolution (1) (pass/fail)
An introductory course emphasizing the skills needed and the theories and methods
used in negotiation and resolution of disputes. The evolution of Alternative Dispute
Resolution is reviewed. Emphasis is on negotiation, arbitration and mediation techniques,
the legal application and procedures.
Advanced Criminal Law (1) (pass/fail)
This course covers the current cases in criminal law with reference to mental state,
lesser included offenses, related offenses, self-defense, jury instructions.
California Evidence & California Civil Procedure (1) (pass/fail)
A short refresher of California Evidence to include the hearsay, dealing with forgetful
witness, demonstrative evidence, practical considerations for admission of character
evidence. This course also covers the California Civil Procedure from the pre-complaint
satge through appeals.
Constitutional Law - First Amendment (1) (pass/fail)
This course examines the principal cases covering the first amendment and will include:
Freedom of the Press, discussion of the Soloman Amendment, Freedom of Religion, Freedom
of Speech.
Elder Law (1) (pass/fail)
A general overview of elder financial, physical abuse and neglect, nursing home litigation,
Adult Protective Service, Public Guardian duties, Elder and Dependent Adult Civil
Protection Act, as well as consent, undue influence, and end-of-life issues.
Employment Law (1) (pass/fail)
The class will be a comprehensive study of employment law focusing on the discrimination
laws that affect individuals and employers. The primary areas of attention will be:
sexual discrimination, disparate treatment, harassment, race discrimination, age discrimination,
retaliation, and constructive discharge.
Family Law (1) (pass/fail)
An overview encompassing such topics as community property and division of assets,
no-fault dissolution, spousal support, along with, reimbursement of medical and dental
expenses. A thorough discussion of the Domestic Partnership Act, and the Domestic
Violence Prevention Act will aid the students in understanding how children are affected
by these legislative acts.
Identity Theft (1) (pass/fail)
This course will cover fraud losses to individuals - federal and state laws protecting
victims' loses - venue and statute of limitations - e-commerce concerns - punishment
and restitution - proactive prevention - scam trends - bank fraud - high-tech skimming
- controlled delivery cases
Immigration / Administrative Law (1) (pass/fail)
An intensive introduction to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
International Law (1) (pass/fail)
This course offers instruction in the nature, scope, and limits of international law.
It provides a foundation for studying commitments to international cooperation.
Law & Motion (1) (pass/fail)
This class is designed to introduce students to the skills necessary to write simple
motions, such as, Motions to Continue Trial, and Motions in Limine. Since this course
was chosen especially to continue to develop and strengthen the writing skills necessary
to perform successfully on the California Bar, the instruction will be presented as
an intensive writing class.
Morality and the Law (1) (pass/fail)
This course examines how issues are affected by judicial philosophy and precedent.
It will focus on recent court decisions in the areas of Civil Rights, Abortion, Freedom
of Religion and the Establishment Clause, Gay Rights.
Never Be Lied To Again (1) (pass/fail)
This course will cover methods for recognizing deception during client interviews,
interrogations and depositions of opposition parties. Learn how to ask the important
questions, as well as, how to gage the reactions. Learn how to appreciate the distinctions
between interview and interrogation techniques. This course offers a plethora of skill-sets
for practical and professional use in a legal environment.
Small Claims & Traffic Court (1) (pass/fail)
This course covers how to file a small claims action as well as what to expect the
day of Court. It includes substantive and procedural issues as well as enforcement
of judgments. The Traffic Court covers the processes and issues in defending against
traffic infractions and driving-while-intoxicated violations.