White Collar Crime Related Courses

Course about the legal structure and characteristics of business corporations. Topics include the promotion and formation of corporations; the distribution of power between management and shareholders; the limitations on management powers imposed by state law fiduciary duties and federal securities laws; shareholder derivative suits; capital structure and financing of corporations; and fundamental changes in corporate structure, such as mergers and sales of assets. Hirst's Section: This section covers similar topics, but has a different emphasis and approach, involving fewer cases, and more exercises and analysis of real-world transactions and documents, including from Tesla, Twitter, and Boeing. The course involves self-directed learning through the submission of multiple choice quizzes, and some use of corporate-finance-style numerical analyses. Laptops and similar devices are generally not permitted without an accommodation. The course serves as a prerequisite to advanced courses. PREREQUISITE: Business Fundamentals.

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FALL 2025: LAW JD 816 A1, Sep 2nd to Dec 19th 2025
FALL 2025: LAW JD 816 M1, Sep 2nd to Dec 19th 2025
SPRG 2026: LAW JD 816 A1, Jan 12th to Apr 22nd 2026
SPRG 2026: LAW JD 816 P1, Jan 12th to Apr 22nd 2026

The income tax is a pervasive feature of life in the United States and lawyers encounter tax issues in virtually every field of practice. This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of the federal income tax, and its impact on a wide range of matters, including employment, tort claims, divorce, retirement, and especially business activities and investments of all types Topics include: the concept of income, determination of gross income, allowance of deductions and the determination of taxable income, identification of the taxpayer, taxable periods and timing, the determination of gain or loss (including realization and recognition) from dealings in property, the concept of income tax basis, and the process of change in the tax law. GRADING NOTICE: Professor Dean's section does not offer the CR/NC/H option.

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FALL 2025: LAW JD 889 A1, Sep 2nd to Dec 19th 2025
SPRG 2026: LAW JD 889 B1, Jan 12th to Apr 22nd 2026

In this course, we will examine statutory interpretation with a focus on U.S. regulation, legislation, and agencies. In addition to covering the statutory canons and principles of statutory interpretation, the course demonstrates and develops the ability to engage in legal analysis and reasoning and an understanding of the important role of lawyers as problem solvers. Some topics covered include: plain meaning; textualism; textual errors; canons of construction; legislative history; pragmatism; and oversight and interpretation of agency decision-making. We will engage in thoughtful discussions about cases alleging serious criminal offenses and civil injuries that may be disturbing. The course includes a mandatory, practice quiz/midterm (specific student performance on the practice exam does not count toward the final grade) and a final examination.

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SPRG 2026: LAW JD 828 A1, Jan 12th to Apr 22nd 2026

Whistleblowing has become a frequent topic in the news around law and politics. What exactly is it, and what laws govern it? Who represents whistleblowers, and what is there to know about lawyering in this space? This course will examine federal (and some state) laws that protect and incentivize whistleblowers to provide information and assist in the enforcement of laws prohibiting fraud and misfeasance in both the public and private sectors. It will cover both the substantive law as well as the practical aspects of lawyering in this field. There are two types of whistleblower laws, and the seminar will cover both: 1) laws which protect whistleblowers inside and outside of government from retaliation by their employers for having engaged in protected activity, and 2) laws which provide financial incentives to whistleblowers for reporting fraud against the government, or fraud in the securities and commodities markets. Each student will write a paper based on a whistleblower case and will be encouraged to interview one or more whistleblowers who have gone through the experience and/or whistleblower attorneys who have a substantial practice in this area. Alternatively, students who express a particular interest in an area relevant to the course may get permission to explore that topic in their paper. There is no examination in this course; the grade is based on the paper and the students' participation in the class discussions 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 (designated by an (S) in the title), 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 919 OL, Jan 12th to Apr 22nd 2026

The purpose of this Course is to teach present-day white collar crime practice. The course will review: (i) the theoretical bases of modern white collar criminal prosecution; (ii) the major statutes used by prosecutors, including mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, bribery and extortion, obstruction of justice, perjury, and RICO; and (iii) the procedural aspects of white collar crime such as grand jury, attorney/client privilege, and sentencing. Students will learn the prosecutorial and defense techniques employed in significant recent white collar cases. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be familiar with the statutes, procedures, and legal analyses employed by prosecutors and private lawyers in white collar criminal practice. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option. OFFERING PATTERN: This class not offered every year. Students are advised to take this into account when planning their long-term schedule.

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SPRG 2026: LAW JD 854 A1, Jan 12th to Apr 22nd 2026