Business Planning

This course focuses on the diverse array of legal issues that surround the formation, operation, governance, and financing of a business enterprise. Course readings touch on several substantives areas of law, including corporate, IP, and securities law. The course will also highlight the relationship between the business client and counsel and attendant issues of professional responsibility. Throughout the course, students will produce written work based on a semester-long business planning problem that follows a hypothetical client through the formation and growth of her business. Work product will be done individually and as part of a group. Using the tools and background information covered in the reading, students will analyze the client s legal needs and draft appropriate memorandum, legal opinions, and transactional documents.

This is a writing-intensive class that will require extensive drafting and re-drafting of documents throughout the semester. The course grade is based on class participation, group work product, and the student& 039;s written work product. The course ends on the last day of the semester and has no final exam. Business Planning satisfies the advanced writing and skills requirement.

Prerequisites: Corporations (B653); upon instructor approval, this course may be taken concurrently. Corporate Finance (B656) is strongly recommended. Enrollment is limited to 16 students. The class will meet regularly for twice per week.