Business Law Courses

LLM813 Legal Ethics

[2–0, 2 cr.]

The course is divided into two parts, Ethics and Philosophy of Law. The Ethics component includes discussions on ethical rules applicable to lawyers and the practice of law with special emphasis on American and English rules. The Philosophy of Law component includes discussions on the principal theories of law and key issues in law - such as law, rights, obligations, responsibilities and punishment — and the ethical foundations of the legal system. Thus, the aim of the course as a whole is to evaluate the main philosophical theories of ethics and law, probe central moral and legal issues, examine the practical application of such theories and issues and analyze the interrelationship between ethics and law.

LLM823 Accounting and Finance for Lawyers

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course teaches the basics every business lawyer should know about accounting and finance in order to communicate, negotiate and counsel effectively regarding business matters including: the accounting process; the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow; financial statement analysis; auditing; time value of money; interest; credit; securities; risk; valuation; derivatives; financial decision rules; and financial markets and regulation.

LLM831 Legal Research and Writing (Capstone)

[2–0, 2 cr.]

Legal Research and Writing is a required course that teaches students the basic techniques of legal research, analysis and legal writing. The course is based on introducing case briefing, case synthesis and analysis through a series of research and writing assignments. Students will learn (i) how to research legal issues, frame legal arguments and analyze legal problems; (ii) how to use computer-assisted legal research including Lexis and Westlaw; and (iii) the American writing conventions for legal letters, memoranda, and briefs. The course will be taught in small groups under the supervision of the legal writing faculty and will consist, as mentioned above, of a series of research and writing assignments. This course should be especially helpful for students who are inexperienced in the use of precedent in a common law system.

LLM845 Corporate Finance Laws and Regulations

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course provides an overview of international capital markets law and practice. Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with the main concepts and the structures and terminology used in capital markets and will develop an understanding of the interests of the parties involved as well as the policy reasons behind the national and international law relevant to capital markets transactions. The course also provides an in-depth examination of the legal framework for equity finance over the entire corporate lifecycle, including venture capital, management buyouts, initial and subsequent public offers of shares, rights issues, private equity buyouts and share buybacks. The course examines the use of different types of equity finance instruments and the legal rights associated with them. The role of capital markets in raising new capital and trading shares will be examined along with the role of financial regulators in controlling that process.

LLM846 Corporate Governance

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course provides an in-depth examination of the legal and market framework in which corporate governance operates. It examines how the law approaches the governance structure of various types of companies, focusing on the role of different stakeholders and the structure and powers of the two decision-making organs of the company, the general meeting of shareholders and the board of directors. Close attention will be paid to the role of institutional shareholders and financial markets and to the development of ‘soft-law’ governance codes and voluntary self-regulation as alternatives to formal legal control.

LLM852 Family Business and Offices

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course explores the challenges and opportunities facing individuals and families involved in family business relationships.  The course uses a systems model of the family and business to demonstrate the interrelationships and connections among the key stakeholders. Some of the specific topics include the family system, culture, entrepreneurial influences, conflict and negotiation, career planning, ethics, governance, succession and strategic planning, professional support relationships and survival skills as a son or daughter in a family business.

LLM853 Secured Transactions

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course explores all aspects of security in personal or corporate property, including creation of security interests, perfection, priorities (between competing security interests and between security interests and other property interests), default, realization procedures and redemption.

LLM854 International Financial and Banking Regulations

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course introduces the structure and regulation of international banking and finance. Topics include (i) the regulatory environment (including local and international regulatory systems); (ii) methods of entry into foreign banking markets; (iii) regulation of international banking activities; and (iv) economic sanctions and their effect on international banking. 

LLM855 Corporate Insolvency Law and Bankruptcy

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course introduces students to the law of bankruptcy and corporate insolvency. While understanding legal terminology, concepts, doctrine and processes are all vital to grasping and applying bankruptcy and insolvency laws, the course also seeks to frame those aspects in a wider historical, social, economic and policy context. The course begins with an overview of debtor-creditor relations and the pre-insolvency context, and then addresses insolvencies and various forms of corporate reorganizations and restructurings

LLM856 International Intellectual Property

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course introduces students to the global aspects for protecting intellectual property rights focusing on IP international treaties such as Berne, Paris and TRIPS, how they are implemented and enforced in Lebanon and how they impact regional and international trade. Given the international dimension of the course, attention is also given to IP protection under free trade agreements as well as the principles on National Treatment and Most favored nation (MFN).

LLM861 International Courts and Processes

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course introduces students to several important international courts including the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal and the Central American Court of Justice.  The course seeks to explain the formation, design and expansion of international courts from both political and legal perspectives.  On the political side, the course focuses on factors such as states’ capabilities, regime type, functional need and diffusion.  On the legal side, the course examines the intersection of domestic and international law, emphasizing the major legal systems in the world (civil law, common law, Islamic law).  The course also focuses on the difference made by international courts for interstate interactions and foreign policy behavior more broadly.

LLM865 Law of Mergers and Acquisitions

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course involves discussion of corporate restructuring strategies including mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, leveraged buyouts and management buyouts. It aims to provide students with knowledge of what M&A is, the deal players, the deal structure and regulatory considerations. It also covers topics such as form of consideration, target valuation and due diligence. The course ends with an overview of deal documents and agreements and related practical drafting exercises.

LLM866 International Trade

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course provides an introduction to the laws governing international sale of goods as well as the institutions governing international trade. In particular, the course focuses on: (i) the impact of international conventions, transnational model laws and uniform principles on international sales law; (ii) the relationship between international law and domestic law relating to sales transactions; (iii) choice of jurisdiction, choice of law and cross-border litigation issues that may arise in the context of international sales transactions; and (iv) laws regulating customs and tariffs, most-favored nation treatment, subsidies, dumping, unfair trade practices and disruptive imports under the escape clause. Specialized problems in regulating exports under regimes of sanctions, boycotts, corrupt practices and restrictive business practices may be covered.

LLM872 Islamic Banking and Finance

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course aims to enable students to deeply understand the Islamic Banking operating systems and the concepts of Islamic finance through participation in class discussions and activities. Students are to be well-equipped with knowledge of Islamic Finance and its innovative products and their application in the modern banking system.

LLM875 Project Finance and Public-Private Partnerships

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Project Finance and Public Private Partnerships

LLM876 Alternative Dispute Resolution

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course aims to educate the students on the primary types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) including negotiation, mediation and arbitration.  Students will learn to evaluate the pros and cons of ADR processes and will work through simulations of ADR processes that are currently employed by international lawyers.

LLM877 Negotiation

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Law school trains young lawyers to be adversarial and glorify conflict. Graduates may think their primary purpose is to dispute every issue, and come to see the law as a struggle of winners and losers.
However, frequently a fractious transaction or contentious lawsuit is not in the best interest of clients. There may not be sufficient resources available, or inclination to endure long, drawn-out adversarial proceedings. Clients may prefer to settle matters expeditiously, avoiding hard feelings, negative publicity or large costs. Skilled lawyers will often tell you some of their biggest successes were resolving contentious matters in a sensible manner as early as practicable. When lawyers come to appreciate legal negotiation, conflict resolution evolves to a sensible, business-like process whereby both parties can walk away winners. In this way, the lawyer transforms into a wise problem solver and is far more complete, trusted and respected individual.

LLM880 Topics in Business Law

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course presents diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives on selected topics relevant to the field of business law. The course may offer an in-depth analysis of the relevant topics (e.g. estate and gift taxation, business torts, international business transactions, advanced real estate transactions, etc.).

LLMxxx Internship

[3 cr.]

An internship is a temporary position at a company or law firm that helps students gain insight into a field or practice area. The responsibility of the internship that comes along with the position varies from company to company. Internships are designed to expose the students to the dynamics of working in a specific field by exposing them to real-world applications. Not only is an internship a great experience to put on your resume, but you will also gain important professional contacts and relationships that will benefit you in the future. Student who wish to enroll in the Internship earn three credit hours towards their MSL working in an unpaid internship position. You must have completed at least 12 credit hours and not have been on academic probation for at least one semester to participate in this program. All internships must be approved by the Director of the LLM Program.  All internship hours must be worked during the semester. A student may take a judicial internship for academic credit only once.

LLMxxx Thesis

[6 cr.]

Students pre-approved for a thesis may enroll in this class. Students will write a thesis on a topic related to law or/and business approved by the LLM Director and LLM Thesis Supervisor. Students will conduct their research and write their thesis under the supervision of a full-time faculty member and assisted by two other faculty members, comprising the LL.M. Thesis Committee.

LLMxxx Project in Business Law

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course entails the application of research methods to a current topic relevant to business Law. The project must incorporate the student’s hypothesis, test methods, test results, and conclusions.