The award of credit for the following co-curricular activities is subject to the approval of the faculty adviser or team coach.
Clinical Courses
Criminal Prosecution Clinic (4) Law-7942
Students who have completed Evidence, are eligible to enroll in the Criminal Prosecution Clinic. This 4-credit graded clinic is a unique opportunity for students who wish to explore a career in advocacy, criminal law, or litigation. Senior Assistant District Attorney Keith Bogardus will teach the classroom component of the clinic and students will work directly with Assistant District Attorneys in the courtroom, participating in the prosecution of felonies and misdemeanors. If you wish to be eligible to enroll in the clinic, you must submit a background application to keith.bogardus@da.ocgov.com . If you have specific questions about the clinic, please contact Dean Carey at carey@chapman.edu . (Prerequisite: Evidence Law-7142. Students may register for this clinic before they have submitted a criminal background check application or received a criminal background check clearance. This course will satisfy the Experiential Course requirement. This course is an approved elective for the Criminal Law Emphasis.)
Dispute Resolution for Juvenile Clinic (2) Law-7354
The Criminal Justice Dispute Resolution Clinic & Mediation Clinic for Juveniles is a clinic based on the tenets of Restorative Justice, an approach to criminal justice that aims, through reconciliation with the victim, to repair the harm caused by the offender’s criminal behavior. Providing students with a unique opportunity to implement Restorative Justice and Restorative Practice, this clinic offers two approaches. First, clinic students will teach dispute resolution to in-custody juveniles, giving them tools to react differently to the conflicts with which they are confronted. Second, clinic students participate in Restorative Justice mediations between victims and Youth. Students will then draft settlement agreements. *Clinic students will gain valuable experience in the juvenile justice system with unique client-counseling opportunities and hands-on mediation training/experience. Clinic students will also be interacting with practicing attorneys, juvenile court judges, District Attorneys and Public Defenders, as well as Probation Corrections Officers. (This course will satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement.)
Advanced Dispute Resolution for Juveniles Clinic (1-3 variable credits) Law-7679
The Criminal Justice Dispute Resolution Clinic & Mediation Clinic for Juveniles is a clinic based on the tenets of Restorative Justice, an approach to criminal justice that aims, through reconciliation with the victim, to repair the harm caused by the offender’s criminal behavior. Providing students with a unique opportunity to implement Restorative Justice and Restorative Practice, this clinic offers two approaches. First, clinic students will teach dispute resolution to in-custody juveniles, giving them tools to react differently to the conflicts with which they are confronted. Second, clinic students participate in Restorative Justice mediations between victims and Youth. Students will then draft settlement agreements. *Clinic students will gain valuable experience in the juvenile justice system with unique client-counseling opportunities and hands-on mediation training/experience. Clinic students will also be interacting with practicing attorneys, juvenile court judges, District Attorneys and Public Defenders, as well as Probation Corrections Officers. (This course will satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement.)
Elder Law Clinic (3) Law-7565
This clinical class teaches the theory and practice of elder law, which focuses on the legal problems of older adults. The class covers health care decision making, medical ethics and end-of-life issues, public benefits for the elderly, Medicaid planning, mental capacity issues and conservatorships for the elderly, property management for the elderly, and ethical problems that arise when representing the elderly. In addition to the classroom component, students work directly with clients and engage in interviewing, counseling, preparation of draft and final documents, and possible representation of clients in administrative hearings. The class is useful for students interested in the growing practice area of elder law or in a general practice that includes representing elderly clients. The class develops legal skills useful in almost any practice. (Enrollment is limited to 14 students. Prerequisites: successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Evidence and Civil Procedure II; willingness to become a Certified Law Student. This course will satisfy the Experiential Course requirement.)
Entertainment Law Clinic (3) Law-7631
This course will provide students with the opportunity to work with low budget independent filmmakers. Students conduct client interviews with Directors and Producers who are about to begin production on feature length films. Students prepare documents and contracts for 1-6 films each semester, including: forming an LLC; acquisition of underlying rights; employment contracts for director, producer, actors and crew; location agreements and releases. Students communicate directly with the filmmaker, prepare briefing memoranda on issues unique to each film, and create client files. Students will meet to discuss drafting challenges and issues and the role of the production attorney in advising a filmmaker or production company. (Prerequisite: Entertainment Industry Contracts. This course will satisfy the Practice-Oriented Writing Requirement OR the Experiential Course Requirement; one course cannot satisfy both requirements. This is an approved elective for the Entertainment Law Certificate.)
Mediation Clinic (3) Law-7330
The Mediation Clinic is designed to enable students who have completed the Mediation course, or an equivalent course, to use and develop their skills as mediators through frequent and regular practice with actual parties under the supervision of experienced mediators. While working in the Mediation Clinic students have an opportunity to work with real litigants who have filed small claims, civil harassment and limited civil cases. The types of conflicts addressed include, but are not limited to: Neighbor/Neighbor, Landlord/Tenant, Consumer/Merchant, Business/Business, Organizational, Family/Domestic, Personal Injury and Workplace. The students also interact with practicing attorneys, judges and other court officers. The Mediation Clinic requires students to serve as mediators in court and to attend class each Monday morning. Students will be graded on full participation in the Mediation Clinic including, weekly journal assignments, regular court attendance, class participation and willingness to mediate. (This course will satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement.)
Advanced Mediation Clinic – (1-2) Law-7849
The Advanced Mediation Clinic provides an opportunity for students who have completed a semester in the Mediation Clinic to continue mediating court cases. Students in the advanced clinic seek ways to expand their mediation skills by working with mediation practitioners and exploring various techniques employed in mediation. Advanced clinic students co-mediate with Mediation Clinic students, providing assistance and guidance in the early stages of the Mediation Clinic experience. Through this practice, advanced clinical students develop their mediation skills while teaching others. There is no weekly classroom meeting for students in the Advanced Mediation Clinic. Students meet regularly with clinic faculty during the semester and submit weekly journal entries for the cases mediated. (This course will satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement.)
Tax Law Clinic (1-3) Law-7941
In this variable unit course students handle actual tax controversy and collections cases for low income taxpayers on a pro bono basis before the IRS and in U.S. Tax Court under special rules of student practice. Under supervision of Attorney-Professors, students are responsible for all aspects of their cases including: interviewing clients, gathering facts and evidence, researching applicable laws, and meeting with the IRS for potential settlement. If the case is for trial, the student normally represents the client in court and completes all post trial work. (This course is an elective option for the Certificate in Taxation. This course will satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement. Prerequisite: Federal Income Tax.)
Tax Procedure and Administration Clinic (1) Law-7612
The clinical component of the Tax Procedure and Administration course allows students to handle actual tax controversy cases for low income taxpayers on a pro bono basis before the IRS and in U.S. Tax Court under special rules of student practice. Students learn the practical application of tax procedures and handle all aspects of their cases, including trial if necessary. (Prerequisite: Federal Income Taxation and concurrent enrollment in Tax Procedure and Administration. This course will satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement.)
United States Tax Court Clinic (3) Law-7890
Under a special IRS and Tax Court rules of practice, students in this clinical education course handle actual cases on a wide variety of tax issues at various stages of exam, appeal, court and collections. Under supervision of Attorney-Professors, students are responsible for all aspects of their cases including meeting with clients, gathering facts and evidence, researching applicable laws, and meeting with the IRS to discuss case in an effort to negotiate a favorable outcome. If the case is for trial, the student normally represents the client in court and completes all post trial work. Although there are occasional meeting outside of class time and students are expected to attend at least one US Tax Court trial calendar in Los Angeles. (This course is an elective option for the Certificate in Taxation. This course will satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement. Prerequisite: Federal Income Tax.)
Co-Curricular Courses (variable credits)
Academic Fellows – Law 7939
Students must complete a minimum of 42.5 hours of work per semester per credit. For a 14-week semester, this breaks down to approximately 3 hours per week for 1 credit or 6 hours per week for 2 credits. All Academic Fellows are expected to work approximately 5 hours per week, at minimum, regardless of the number of credits they are registered for. Students can complete these hours through fellow sessions, office hours, and preparation, in accordance with their supervising professor’s expectations. Students are expected to track hours (e.g., biweekly spreadsheet, weekly email, etc.) and must turn in their hours to their professor.
Diversity and Social Justice Board (1) Law-7937
The Diversity and Social Justice Journal is a student-run scholarly publication at Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law, dedicated to providing a forum that can give expression and representation to a wide spectrum of progressive and diverse voices at Chapman.
Subject to approval prior to registration by the faculty advisor, academic credit is awarded as follows:
1. staff members may each receive one unit of academic credit per semester for a total of two units; and,
2. board members may each receive one unit of academic credit per semester of participation for a total of two units.
Externship Law-7590
Externships offer law school credit for practical experience working for a judge; District Attorney or Public Defender; government agency, non-profit, private law firm or corporation. Externs work under the supervision of experienced practicing attorneys or judges who provide guidance and training in research, writing, and practical lawyering skills. For information on how to obtain an externship, visit http://www.chapman.edu/law/externships/index.aspx.
Externships can be taken for between 1 and 5 units during the school year and for between 1 and 6 units over the summer, except for select judicial externships that are considered “full time” which can be taken for 10 units. For details on how many hours must be worked per unit, as well as how many externships can be taken in all, see the Externship Handbook, available in room 350 or at the above link.
The Director of the Externship Program must approve all externships; students are not permitted to enroll online. To apply for admission to the Externship Program, submit a completed Externship Application to the Director as soon as possible, or at least 1 week before the start of the summer session. Applications are found at the end of the Externship Handbook. If the Director approves the externship, students will be enrolled in the course within 1 week. In addition to fieldwork, students must participate in a one-time “boot camp” (see times listed below). This course will satisfy the Lawyering Skills requirement.
Law Review Law-7860
The Chapman Law Review is a legal journal edited and published by School of Law students selected on the basis of academic achievement and a writing competition. Students on the Chapman Law Review receive credit for demonstrable competence in scholarly writing and editing. Students are required to produce a student note as a Directed Research project under the direction of a faculty member during their first year on the Law Review. Students may receive up to three units of credit for Directed Research during the spring semester. Students are also registered for one unit of credit in the spring semester of the first year of service on Law Review which is graded by the Law Review's faculty adviser. Thereafter, subject to approval prior to registration by the faculty adviser, senior editors may receive up to three ungraded units of academic credit per semester of participation.
Research Assistant – Law 7940
Students must complete a minimum of 42.5 hours of work per semester per credit. For a 14-week semester, this breaks down to approximately 3 hours per week for 1 credit or 6 hours per week for 2 credits. All Research Assistants are expected to work approximately 5 hours per week, at minimum. Students can complete these hours through meetings, office hours, and preparation. Students are expected to track hours (e.g., biweekly spreadsheet, weekly email, etc.) and must turn in their hours to their professor.
Note: Academic Fellow and Research Assistant credits may not exceed the student’s maximum program credit limits. Full-time students have a maximum of 16 credits; part-time students have a maximum of 11 credits. Students must contact the Office of the Law Registrar at lawregistrar@chapman.edu to register and provide the number of credits they are taking, i.e., 1 or 2 credits.
Skills Competitions Law-7861
Experiential competitions are an important component of legal education. Such competitions offer realistic opportunities to practice research, writing, analytical, and communications skills, and to develop ethics, judgment, and professionalism. Students may earn one unit of credit for negotiations, mediation, and client counseling competitions outside the law school, or three units for trial and appellate competitions outside the law school. This course may satisfy the Experiential Course Requirement with a two (2) credit minimum. Only competitions that involve a brief-writing component may satisfy the Practice Oriented Writing Requirement, and only if Professor Nancy Schultz, or another member of the Faculty, agrees to supervise the revision of the brief. (This course is only available for students who have been invited to join one of the competition boards: Moot Court Board, Mock Trial Board, and ADR Board.)