LAWS 629 - Alternative Dispute Resolution

Credits: 3

Over 95% of all legal disputes are resolved outside of the courts. This course will explore how most of those disputes are resolved. It will provide an overview of the main Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes: negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Each of these processes will be critically examined, through a combination of assigned readings, interactive role-play exercises, and possibly guest presentations. The primary goal of the course is to expose students to the theoretical and practical fundamentals of ADR, including when and how to effectively use these processes in a professional setting. The second goal is to impart an understanding of the ethical and legal implications of ADR processes. Students will leave this course with a basic competency in some key lawyering skills, including communication, negotiation and representing parties in various ADR fora.

Prerequisites: None

Note: This course satisfies the professional skills course graduation requirement. For students that entered Fall 2016 and thereafter, this course satisfies the experiential course graduation requirement.

Basis of Grade: Students will be graded on:
• Contributions to general class discussions
• Performance in a negotiation simulation
• Performance in a mediation simulation
• A final exam
Note that attendance and class participation will be significant parts of the assessment.

Form of Grade: Letter Grade

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