This seminar will focus on practical aspects involved in litigation of international trade disputes, both before the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in domestic US court. Its goal is to equip students considering a career either in private practice or government service with the skills necessary to handle complex litigation matters involving trade. Among the topics that it will consider are procedural issues, methods of legal argumentation, treaty and statutory interpretation, evidentiary issues, and dispute strategy. The seminar will draw on a few actual cases to illustrate these points. We will have a variety of guest speakers join the class for several sessions, including a member of the WTO Appellate Body. Students will be expected to participate in a series of exercises over the course of the term.
No prior course in international or domestic U.S. trade law is necessary to enroll in the seminar; prior to each case, a short overview will be given of the relevant law. Students that have previously taken a class in international or U.S. trade law are welcome to enroll, as are students without any relevant background. Note that this course is not intended to provide a comprehensive overview of either WTO or U.S. trade law; its main focus is on litigation strategies relevant to these fields of law.
For more information about this course, visit the Harvard Law School Course Catalog