Complex Litigation through a Securities Lens

Catalog description

In this experiential course, you're the lawyer. A substantial amount of class time will be spent on interactive discussions, during which we will work together to make arguments and analyze strategic decisions based on scenarios drawn from real cases. Each class will also cover a significant civil procedure milestone in a real case. Through those cases, we will examine each phase of a private securities class action as well as related derivative litigation, SEC enforcement actions, and internal investigations. Using pleadings, motions, and other filings from real cases, we will cover the life cycle of a securities class action from the filing of an initial complaint through trial. Our goal is to prepare you to practice law as a securities litigator and equip you with complex litigation skills that will be applicable in a variety of practices. By the end of this course, you should understand the doctrine and the principles central to securities litigation sufficiently to advise clients and construct arguments on the issues that frequently arise in these cases. You should also understand the arguments advanced by those who criticize and defend the current regime. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, final exam.