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LAW-2991 Practice Ready: Representing Clients in Fee
Shifting Cases
Mr. Carlin J. Phillips,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening.
This seminar will address attorneys’ fees from the perspective of a solo or small firm practitioner
and will allow students the opportunity to consider how their chosen practice might generate the
revenue necessary to sustain it. In these settings, it is often difficult to rely solely on the hourly
billing method used in larger organizations. This course will explore alternative fee
arrangements, with an emphasis on fee-shifting and its history, policy justifications, ethical
dimensions and practical realities.
Although there is no single field subject matter focus, a significant portion of the course will
concern substantive areas of civil rights, consumer protection, employment and environmental
law. A background in any of these areas is helpful but not required.
In lieu of an exam, students will develop a project proposing a legal practice built on one of the
fee models examined in consultation with the instructor.
Elective Course
Meets Skills Menu Requirement
Final Project Required
<<Course Updated: March 15, 2016>>