Seminar: Practical Lawyering and Internet-Related Issues - 2005

Harvard Law School

Fall Term, Thursdays, 2:50 - 4:50 p.m., Hauser 101

Jeffrey Cunard, Bruce Keller, Phillip Malone and Timothy Armstrong

Course Home | Syllabus | Hypothetical | Administration | Clinicals

Announcements:


* 11/16/05: Note that we have rescheduled our final class meeting, Week Twelve, to Friday, December 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Lewis 202.

* 11/16/05: Don't forget, the final versions of your Hypothetical Advice Memoranda are due this Thursday, November 17 at the beginning of class.

* 10/31/05: Reminder -- Hypothetical Outlines and Meetings This Week: Please remember that your 2-3 page detailed outlines of your hypothetical answers are due by email to Erica George and the four instructors by 4:00 p.m. this Wednesday, October 3. We will meet for about 30 minutes with each team on Thursday or Friday to discuss your outlines.


* 10/04/05: Videotaping of Class on October 13: Because a number of students have indicated that they will not be able to attend class on October 13th due to Yom Kippur, we are arranging to have that class session videotaped for later review. We will let you know whether you will be able to watch the video from the course web site (preferred) or whether we will have to put copies of the video on reserve in the library.

* 9/1/05: Welcome to the Seminar and website. In preparation for our first class, next Thursday afternoon, 9/8, please review the Syllabus and read carefully the assigned readings for the first session.


Introduction:

Using a variety of Internet-related case studies drawn from recent, actual controversies, along with targeted readings, court filings, real-life testimony, deposition videotapes and other actual demonstrative materials, the seminar covers the practical lawyering skills essential for the successful and effective representation of clients in a wide variety of disputes in the field of Internet law. The seminar's subject matter will cover issues including intellectual property, speech, privacy, competition and other core Internet law themes. This seminar will condense and weave together a broad range of experiences students ultimately may encounter in the actual practice of law in this burgeoning area with the core doctrinal and theoretical principles of the relevant areas of law. Accordingly, special emphasis will be placed on decision-making and counseling skills; clear and persuasive writing, drafting and negotiating skills and, most importantly; critical and strategic thinking.

During the seminar, students will become familiar with the fundamentals of practical lawyering in the context of cutting-edge substantive issues drawn from actual litigation and reported cases, many of them still unfolding as the seminar progresses. At appropriate moments in the term, outside specialists from industry, government and elsewhere may be brought in to enhance the students' understanding of the complex interplay between substantive and practical issues.

This seminar is designed in large measure as an offering for those students who intend to take, or have taken, the Clinical Program in Cyberlaw at the Berkman Center. This seminar will ensure that students are exposed to the fundamental building blocks necessary to enhance their ability to take full advantage of the program and better serve their clients.