Successful completion of the Business Law Emphasis Program requires the law student to

• Earn a minimum 2.6 overall cumulative GPA
• Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the certificate courses
• Complete the three (3) core courses (Accounting for Lawyers, Corporations, Federal Income Tax)
• Complete at least eight (8) credit hours of approved electives

Financial Accounting (3)
This course represents an introduction to accounting for students with little background in the field. Initial emphasis is on established accounting principles and the analysis of financial statements. The course’s perspective is that of a business attorney who might use financial statements to advise clients in various legal settings (e.g., the drafting of financial contracts and the valuation of businesses). Applications to securities law are also considered.

Corporations* (3)
This course provides a basic understanding of both closely held and publicly held for-profit corporations.  Particular attention is given to the way in which corporations organize and operate.  The course also examines the respective roles, relationships, responsibilities, and liability exposure of shareholders, directors and officers.  The study of corporate litigation and regulation under key portions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the S.E.C. is included.

Federal Income Tax* (3)
This course introduces students to the system of federal income taxation of individuals. The tax system is studied with emphasis on basic concepts rather than detailed computations. Significant attention is given to the public policy served by various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Primary consideration is given to principles and policies relating to the taxation of individuals including procedure, income, deductions, gains and losses, and transactional aspects of income taxation. The Internal Revenue Code and Regulations are emphasized.

*Courses already required for J.D. degree

• Agency, Partnership, and Unincorporated Business Organizations (3 credits)
• Bankruptcy I (3 credits)
• Bankruptcy II (3 credits)
• Business Planning (3 credits)
• Commercial Leases (3 credits)
• Corporate Stock & Asset Acquisition (2 credits)
• Corporate Tax I (3 credits)
• Corporate Stock and Asset Acquisitions (2 credits)
  
• International Business Transactions (2 credits)
• International Business Litigation (2 credits)
• Law of Business Startups (2 credits)
• Mergers & Acquisitions (3 credits)
• Partnership Tax (3 credits)
• Patents & Trade Secrets (2 credits)
• Patent Litigation
• Sales (3 credits)
• Securities Regulation (3 credits)
• Secured Transactions (3 credits)
• Taxation of Business Organizations (3 credits)
• Legal & Business Affairs in Hollywood (3 credits)

• Corporate Ethics (3 credits)
• Financial Institutions (2 or 3 credits)
• Fundamental of In-House Corporate Counsel (2 credits)
  

Specific offerings will vary from year to year, depending on periodic rotation of electives, instructor availability, student interest, and scheduling dynamics. Additional courses may be added in the future. See the course descriptions for more information about specific courses

The dean leads a highly-experienced faculty of attorneys and legal scholars who have worked extensively in the business world and actively contribute to national economic dialogue.

• Dr. Tom Campbell, Dean, Professor of Law and Donald P. Kennedy Chair in Law
• Michael Bazyler, Professor of Law and 1939 Club Law Scholar in Holocaust and Human Rights Studies
• Daniel Bogart, Professor of Law and Donley and Marjorie Bollinger Chair in Real Estate Law
• Bobby Dexter, Professor of Law
• George “Judd” Funk, Associate Professor, Visiting Faculty
• Donald Kochan, Professor of Law
• Susanna Ripken, Professor of Law

For additional information about the Business Law program, please contact 

Dr. Tom Campbell
Business Law Program Director and Dean

Email: tcampbell@chapman.edu.