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Family Law
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Core CoursesCHILDREN & THE LAWLW 640 3 Credits Topics covered include: The constitutional framework for allocating power to make decisions about children among parents, children and state agents; control of education; the child welfare system (juvenile court jurisdiction in abuse and neglect cases, foster care, and termination of parental rights); legal solutions to conflict between adolescents and their parents; and the juvenile system (juvenile delinquency). Students may take an open book, take-home exam or write a research paper in lieu of an exam. The paper, which may be used to satisfy either writing requirement, must be of the scope and quality required to satisfy the comprehensive writing requirement. Exam: Take-home DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLINICLW 707 3 Credits Lottery procedure: Second-year and third-year students are eligible to enroll in the Domestic Violence Clinic, but third-year students will be given preference over second-year students. In no event will the number of enrolled second-year students outnumber the number of enrolled third-year students in any given semester. If the Clinic is oversubscribed, students who have previously taken or will be concurrently enrolled in any of the following courses will be given preference based on a point system: Domestic Violence Seminar (3 points), Evidence (1 point), Family Law (1 point), Oregon Practice and Procedure (1 point), and Trial Practice (1 point). If a student has not taken Evidence, Family Law, Oregon Practice and Procedure, or Trial Practice, but intends to take those classes, students will be given a .5 point so long as those classes will be taken in the semester, or before the semester, in which the student will be in the Clinic. Students who intend to take the Domestic Violence Seminar in the Fall of their third-year, but who hope to take the Basic Clinic in the Spring of their third-year, will receive 3 points in the formula. For students who are affected by the last sentence, enrollment in the Clinic can be jeopardized if the student does not in fact enroll in the DV Seminar. Third-year students must complete the requirements to appear in court under the third-year practice rule. Second-year students will not be eligible to practice in court, but will be able to assist on a case in all other ways. Students must work at least 12 hours per week at the field placement. They must keep a daily timesheet and a journal about their externship experience. Students receive 3 hours of pass-no pass credit. ADVANCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLINICLW 707 2 Credits (Pass/No pass) Builds on the basic Domestic Violence Clinic. Participants represent victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault in a variety of more complex legal actions, including dissolution and child custody actions. Open only to third-year students. Prerequisite: Domestic Violence Clinic. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXTERNSHIPLW 8 or 12 Credits Students work full time in the Klamath office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon. Students represent primary rural victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Open only to third-year (including rising third-year) students. Enrollment limited to one student per term with approval of instructor. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW SEMINARFall Students in this seminar will examine the legal system's response to the problem of domestic violence and to a lesser extent, stalking and sexual assault. Students will explore both civil and criminal avenues of redress. Existing shortcomings of those responses, and proposed reforms, will be examined. In addition, students will study how domestic violence is treated in a variety of legal contexts, including in relation to child abuse, custody, visitation, mediation, parent education at divorce, relocation, child abduction, and torts. Grades will be based upon a presentation and participation in discussion. Enrollment priority will be given to students who are enrolled in the Domestic Violence Clinic in the Fall or Spring Semester. Enrollment Limit: 20 ELDER LAWLW 656 3 Credits The topics covered will include health care decision-making (including "the right to die," living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care); planning for health care, including alternate living arrangements and financing through private resources, Medicare and Medicaid; regulation of retirement facilities and nursing homes; and protection of disabled adults through guardianships, conservatorships and related mechanisms. This class is part of the Estate Planning sequence and can be taken to satisfy one of the electives for the Estate Planning certificate. It deals with issues of particular concern to middle class people, rather than tax issues. Students will write research-based documents (legislative testimony, motion for summary judgment, etc.) and make oral presentations based on them. The class may be used to satisfy the Skills Requirement. Alternatively, the papers may be used to satisfy the Basic or the Comprehensive Writing Requirement. The papers may satisfy the writing requirement for the Estate Planning Certificate. FAMILY LAWLW 655 3 Credits This survey course is an introduction to Family Law and covers major issues including marriage and its legal consequences, divorce and its financial consequences; child custody at divorce; premarital and separation agreements, jurisdiction and choice of law issues at divorce; legal regulation of marriage, and rights of unmarried cohabitants. The grade in the class is based on a 3-hour exam. Students have the option of doing small writing projects which count for extra credit and can be used to satisfy the basic writing requirement. FAMILY LAWLW 655 3 Credits This survey course is an introduction to Family Law. It covers major issues including the following: marriage and its legal consequences; divorce and its financial consequences; child custody at divorce; premarital agreements, jurisdiction and choice of law issues; legal regulation of marriage; and rights of unmarried cohabitants. The grade in the class is based on a 3-hour exam. FAMILY LAW IN THE WORLD COMMUNITYNot offered 2007-08 This course will examine various family law topics from a transitional, international, or comparative perspective. Students will explore the application of various international instruments, including treaties and conventions, to transnational family law issues such as child custody (particularly international child abduction) and child support collection. Students also will use international law to evaluate states' practices regarding family violence and reproductive freedom. Finally, students will compare various countries' legal approaches to topics such as the regulation of marriage, support of children, reproductive issues, assisted reproduction, child rearing practices, and children's rights. While it is not essential that students who enroll in the course have had International Law (LAW 671), it is highly recommended. It is a prerequisite that students have taken Family Law (LAW 655). CHILD ADVOCACY EXTERNSHIPSummer Only |
Family Law