International Law Courses

This class is intended to introduce students to the key legal and practical issues encountered when resolving disputes through international arbitration. Arbitration is a private means of dispute resolution where the parties agree to be bound by the decision of an arbitrator of their choice, whose decision in a final award has the same legal force as a court judgment or order. International arbitration is the main form of dispute resolution relating to cross-border commercial disputes and is also sometimes used in public international law contexts involving governments. This course will explore both doctrinal issues--such as what constitutes 'consent' to arbitrate and the relationship between international tribunals, who adjudicate the disputes, and national courts, who compel arbitration and enforce (or void) arbitral decisions--and policy debates, such as what issues are appropriate for resolution by private arbitrators rather than judges and the social ramifications of the lack of transparency in arbitration. There will be a skills component, including hands-on exercises such as roleplays, oral advocacy, and drafting arbitration clauses. PREREQUISITE: Students must have taken a course (any course) in international law (knowledge of the foundations of international law, e.g., what is a treaty, will be presumed). UPPER-CLASS WRITING REQUIREMENT: This class may be used to satisfy the requirement.

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FALL 2025: LAW JD 980 A1, Sep 2nd to Dec 19th 2025

This course provides a comprehensive survey of the legal and business issues arising in international commercial transactions. The course will cover key areas of international business and economic law impacting cross-border transactions, including: the basic documentary transaction (international sales and shipment contracts); agencies and distributorships; franchises and licensing; joint ventures; international project finance; and Cross-border mergers and acquisitions. In addition to substantive law, the course introduces students to essential lawyering skills crucial for success in international transactional practice. Students will develop their skills in negotiation, contract drafting, and client counseling. Through a combination of doctrinal study, case analysis, and practical exercises such as role-playing, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of international business transactions and the role of lawyers in facilitating these deals. The course will also address the importance of cultural awareness in international business dealings and explore topics such as corporate social responsibility and international dispute resolution. PREREQUISITE: Any course in International Law.

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FALL 2025: LAW JD 842 A1, Sep 2nd to Dec 19th 2025

Over the last 40 years, financially-constrained governments in both developed and developing nations have increasingly turned to the private sector to develop, finance, build and operate essential infrastructure projects, including electricity and natural gas networks, renewable and conventional power generation projects, airports, toll roads, liquified natural gas facilities, sports stadia, hospitals, student housing and others. The private sector's preferred financing solution for the hundreds of billions of dollars a year in necessary infrastructure projects is non-recourse 'project finance', under which individual or limited groups of projects are financed on a standalone basis, relying solely on the economic potential of the project to repay lenders and equity investors. Project finance is a multidisciplinary practice area covering corporate law, securities law, contract law, construction law, insurance law, secured lending and banking laws, regulatory laws and policies, environmental law, real estate law, and tax law among others. Project finance is increasingly affected and driven by environmental, social and governance issues, including climate change. This seminar will examine both the norms and conventions of project finance and emerging trends in project finance practice, including sources of capital, the role of government and the role of E.S.G. The seminar will analyze and evaluate a hypothetical project throughout the year. We will look at the lifecycle of the project, from conception, permitting and development, financing, construction through operation, including what happens when projects go bad. Our emphasis will be on typical projects that business lawyers may encounter. A final 'Client Memorandum' of 6,000-7,000 words outlining key issues and risks in the hypothetical project and recommending solutions will be required in lieu of an examination. UPPER-CLASS WRITING REQUIREMENT: A limited number of students may use this class to satisfy the requirement. **A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar, or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.

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SPRG 2026: LAW JD 936 A1, Jan 12th to Apr 22nd 2026