A paragraph summarizing the key facts of the case and the holding

These papers require your assessment of assigned legal cases using elements of law, economics and public policy developed through our texts and class work. You will be assigned to seminar group for the quarter which typically will consist of 6-8 individuals. One to two different students each week in each seminar group will discuss their written brief of a case assigned for class that week. The list of cases to choose from for the quarter will be posted in week two’s module. By week two, you will also be put into your term-long seminar groups, and by week three, your group will submit a schedule to me designating your two presenters/paper authors for each week. Sample briefs are on Canvas here and here. You will post your brief on the group discussion board for the week, and then you will have until the following week to complete the revised brief (which you will submit here). Only the revised brief will be graded, so you will have a chance to gather group feedback on your initial draft.

A typical brief for this class should consist of the following:

1. A paragraph summarizing the key facts of the case and the holding

2. A paragraph defining at least two to three ways the case tests legal ideas and principles (typically including elements of property, contract, or tort law)

3. 2 to 3 paragraphs exploring each question raised above

4. A paragraph explaining the extent to which these legal findings are related to economic efficiency concerns

5. A paragraph explaining why justice or public policy is or is not served by the holding in the case. Preferably this conclusion references points 3 and 4 above.

vosburg_v._putney