LAW 6191 - Conflict of Laws

Fall or Spring. 3 credits. Student option grading.

B. Holden-Smith.

This course explores one of the most fascinating and complex areas of the law: what do you do when legal problems transcend jurisdictional boundaries? How do courts choose which law should be applied to transactions, relationships, or occurrences having contacts with more than one state in the United States, or with the United States and a foreign nation. The course will also touch on adjudicatory jurisdiction, recognition of foreign judgments, and tribal sovereignty of American Indian nations. The course includes two different components. The first component is an intensive exploration of the doctrine and policy considerations relevant to choice-of-law determinations. The second component is comprised of simulated appellate litigation through moot court exercises conducted by the students in class.