1L Discussion Seminar

LAW 240 · 2 units · Autumn Quarter

The 1L Discussion Seminar is a required small-group seminar designed to expose first-year students to diverse legal topics, perspectives, and analytical approaches beyond the standard first-year curriculum. Rather than deep coverage of a single subject, these seminars broaden students' understanding of how law applies across different contexts and to different problems.

Students select from more than 40 seminar options, each taught by a faculty member in a small-group setting (typically 12-16 students). Seminars cover specialized areas of law, emerging legal issues, interdisciplinary approaches to law, and practical skills development. The seminar format encourages active participation, discussion, and debate among students and with the professor.

Discussion seminars serve multiple purposes: they introduce students to areas of specialization they may pursue further, they develop communication and argumentation skills, and they demonstrate how foundational legal principles apply in specific contexts. The breadth of topics available ensures that students can explore their interests while expanding their legal knowledge beyond core doctrinal courses.

Course Goals

  • Explore specialized areas of law beyond the first-year curriculum
  • Develop skills in legal analysis, oral advocacy, and professional communication
  • Consider law from interdisciplinary perspectives: economics, history, philosophy, sociology
  • Engage in substantive discussion and debate about legal principles and policies
  • Build relationships with faculty and peers with shared interests in specific areas
  • Understand practical applications of law in practice areas students may pursue
  • Develop critical thinking about law's role in addressing social problems

Seminar Format

Discussion seminars meet in small groups (typically 12-16 students per section) and emphasize active participation. Class meetings involve discussion of readings, debate about legal principles, problem-solving exercises, guest practitioners or speakers, and development of practical skills such as negotiation, drafting, and oral advocacy. Students are evaluated based on preparation, participation, and a final project or paper appropriate to the seminar topic.

Seminar Options (40+ Available)

Students select one seminar section from the offerings below. Each seminar explores a specific area of law in depth with faculty expertise and small-group discussion.

Business Law Seminars

  • Corporate Governance and Board Dynamics
  • Venture Capital and Startup Formation
  • Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructuring
  • Securities Regulation and Public Companies
  • Finance and Banking Law
  • Antitrust Law and Competition

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

  • Appellate Advocacy and Oral Arguments
  • Mediation and Negotiation
  • Evidence and Proof in Litigation
  • Expert Testimony and Scientific Evidence
  • International Dispute Resolution
  • Mock Trial Practice

Public Law and Government

  • Constitutional Law: The Presidency and Executive Power
  • Congressional Process and Legislative Drafting
  • Administrative Law and Regulatory Process
  • Constitutional Litigation and Civil Rights
  • National Security Law
  • Election Law and Voting Rights

Criminal Justice

  • Criminal Procedure: Investigation and Interrogation
  • Sentencing and Corrections
  • White-Collar Crime
  • Cybercrime and Digital Evidence
  • Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
  • Death Penalty and Capital Punishment

International and Comparative Law

  • International Trade Law
  • International Human Rights Law
  • Comparative Constitutional Law
  • International Criminal Law
  • EU Law and Institutions
  • Chinese Legal System and Business Law

Intellectual Property

  • Patent Law and Patent Prosecution
  • Trademark Law and Brand Protection
  • Copyright and Fair Use
  • Trade Secrets and Confidential Information
  • Internet Law and Digital Rights
  • Entertainment Law

Family, Tax, and Estate Law

  • Family Law: Marriage, Divorce, and Children
  • Trusts, Estates, and Estate Planning
  • Federal Income Tax
  • Tax Policy and Tax Reform
  • Estate Tax and Transfer Tax
  • Domestic Relations and Property Division

Social Justice and Access to Justice

  • Legal Aid and Access to Justice
  • Civil Rights and Anti-Discrimination Law
  • Prisoners' Rights and Incarceration
  • Immigration Law and Refugee Rights
  • LGBTQ+ Rights and Family Law
  • Housing, Homelessness, and Property Rights

Environmental and Energy Law

  • Environmental Law and Regulation
  • Climate Change Law and Policy
  • Water Rights and Water Law
  • Energy Law and Renewable Energy
  • Land Use, Zoning, and Real Estate Development
  • Conservation and Wildlife Law

Technology, Data, and Privacy Law

  • Data Privacy and GDPR
  • Cybersecurity Law
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Law
  • Tech Company Regulation and Platform Governance
  • Consumer Protection and Data Rights
  • Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Law and Society

  • Law and Economics
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Critical Race Theory and Legal Theory
  • Feminist Jurisprudence
  • Law and Psychology
  • The History of American Law

Professional Practice Skills

  • Client Interviewing and Counseling
  • Legal Writing for Practice
  • Contract Drafting
  • Professional Ethics and Responsibility
  • Law Practice Management
  • Career Planning and Law Firm Practice

Sample Seminar Topics by Category

Specialized Legal Topics

Each seminar focuses on a specific area of law, allowing deeper study than possible in survey courses. Faculty select topics based on their expertise and scholarly interests. Current offerings include seminars on:

  • Venture Capital Law: Formation and governance of startup companies, equity financing, and investment agreements
  • International Human Rights: Human rights obligations, international courts, enforcement mechanisms, and NGO advocacy
  • Patent Prosecution: Patent office practice, claim drafting, prosecution strategy, and litigation
  • Climate Change Law: Regulatory frameworks, international agreements, mitigation and adaptation, and litigation strategies
  • Criminal Sentencing: Sentencing guidelines, policy, proportionality, and collateral consequences

Interdisciplinary Approaches

Some seminars integrate law with other disciplines to provide broader perspective:

  • Law and Economics: Economic analysis of legal rules, efficiency, and market failures
  • Law and Psychology: Behavioral economics, jury psychology, decision-making, and the legal system
  • Legal History: Development of American legal institutions and doctrine from colonial times to present
  • Feminist Jurisprudence: Gender theory, equality doctrine, and feminist critiques of law

Practical Skills Development

Several seminars emphasize practical skills development relevant to law practice:

  • Negotiation and Mediation: Negotiation theory and practice, mediation procedures, and dispute resolution techniques
  • Client Interviewing: Interview techniques, client counseling, and professional communication
  • Contract Drafting: Drafting commercial contracts, provisions analysis, and negotiation of terms
  • Appellate Advocacy: Appellate brief writing and oral argument practice before appellate judges

Emerging Legal Issues

Seminars often address cutting-edge legal issues and new areas of practice:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Law: AI regulation, liability, intellectual property, and ethics
  • Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Data protection regulations, breach notification, and cybercrime
  • Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: Smart contracts, regulatory issues, and implications for financial law
  • Tech Company Regulation: Platform governance, antitrust, and content moderation

Seminar Approach and Preparation

Active Participation

Discussion seminars require active, informed participation. Before each class, carefully read assigned materials and prepare to discuss and debate key issues. Come to class ready to:

  • Explain key concepts and holdings from readings
  • Apply law to hypothetical fact patterns
  • Engage in structured debate about legal positions
  • Ask clarifying questions and challenge arguments
  • Connect materials to broader legal principles and policies

Small Group Dynamics

With 12-16 students, the discussion seminar format is intimate and collaborative. Students develop deeper relationships with peers and faculty. The professor facilitates discussion rather than lecturing, encouraging peer-to-peer learning. Your contributions and insights are valued and shape the course experience for all participants.

Integration with Core Courses

Discussion seminars complement the required first-year courses. While Civil Procedure, Contracts, and Torts provide broad foundational knowledge, discussion seminars allow you to:

  • Deepen understanding of specific applications
  • Explore policy questions and theoretical foundations
  • Meet faculty with expertise in areas you find interesting
  • Develop networks among students with shared interests
  • Explore potential practice areas or specializations

Evaluation and Assessment

Evaluation methods vary by seminar but typically include:

  • Participation (30-50%): Regular, informed, and thoughtful contributions to discussion
  • Final Project (30-50%): Research paper, presentation, advocacy project, or practical exercise
  • Preparation (10-20%): Consistent completion of readings and assignments

Seminars do not typically include traditional examinations; instead, evaluation focuses on engagement with the material and substantive work on the final project.

Selection and Scheduling

Students register for discussion seminars during the registration process for Autumn Quarter courses. Section availability varies, and some popular seminars fill quickly. Consider your interests, the faculty member's expertise, and the schedule when making your selection. Changing sections after registration closes is sometimes possible but not guaranteed.

Building Professional Networks

Discussion seminars are valuable for building networks of peers and faculty. Faculty in specialized areas often serve as mentors, academic advisors, and professional references. Classmates with shared legal interests become study partners, working group members, and future professional colleagues. Many 1L students form study groups with seminar classmates and maintain relationships throughout law school.

Participation and Engagement

Successful discussion seminars depend on active student participation. Before each seminar session:

  • Complete all assigned readings carefully
  • Take notes on key concepts and questions
  • Prepare to discuss how readings apply to real-world scenarios
  • Bring questions and be ready to engage in debate
  • Connect new material to concepts from other courses

During seminar, listen actively to peers, build on their ideas, and challenge arguments respectfully. Contribute multiple times per session if possible. Your engagement will deepen your learning and enhance the experience for all participants.

Additional Resources

  • Faculty Bios and Research Interests — Review faculty profiles to understand their expertise and areas of specialization when selecting a seminar.
  • Seminar Descriptions and Syllabi — Read detailed course descriptions to identify seminars aligned with your interests.
  • Peer Recommendations — Ask current law students or recent graduates about seminars they found valuable.
  • Career Planning Resources — Consider how seminars connect to practice areas you find interesting or career paths you want to explore.
  • Legal Research Databases — Familiarize yourself with LEXIS, Westlaw, or Google Scholar to efficiently locate materials assigned in seminars.
  • Writing Support Services — Take advantage of law school writing centers when working on seminar papers or projects.
  • Networking Tips — Use seminars as opportunities to build relationships with faculty and peers who share your interests.

Seminar Resources and Discussion Materials

Each seminar maintains readings lists, case materials, and discussion guides specific to its topic. Consult your seminar syllabus for the list of required and recommended materials. Faculty may provide case excerpts, articles, statutes, and practice problems to support seminar discussion.