Family and Personal Wealth Law

This course will introduce students to the federal law of bankruptcy, which allows debtors to restructure and discharge their obligations to creditors. Although both consumer bankruptcy and corporate reorganization will be touched on, the course will focus on business bankruptcies under Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code. We will not cover the adjustment of personal debts under Chapter 13. There are no prerequisites for the course. Close Window

The course introduces students to the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Collectively, these taxes apply to donative transfers of wealth during life and at death. Despite the relatively narrow application of these taxes, they account for a significant amount of planning and are at the center of some of the most contested tax policy debates of the 21st century. Accordingly, the course will consider tax planning objectives of taxpayers while giving proportionate coverage to policy concerns and perspectives of the government. The course has no prerequisites, but it is not a substitute for taking Federal Income Taxation or Trusts & Estates. Close Window

This course covers requisites for marriage, pre-nuptials, paternity, property management during marriage, spousal abuse, parental child rearing rights, grounds for divorce, property distribution upon divorce, consequences of cohabitation prior to marriage, alimony, child support, and child custody and visitation. Close Window

A study of the law governing inter vivos and death time gratuitous transfers of property. Aspects covered include transfers under intestate succession statutes; the law of wills, including the formalities of execution, testamentary capacity, undue influence and fraud, interpretation, and revocation; non-probate transfers; the law of trusts, including methods of creation and termination, rights and interests of the beneficiary, and special problems relating to resulting, constructive and charitable trusts; and fiduciary administration, including an introduction to probate proceedings and problems of trust administration. Close Window

This seminar offers a practical survey of legislative and regulatory effects and litigation on behalf of animals under U.S. and International law. The course will address the historical status of animals in the law; the current application of animal protection laws for companion animals, wildlife, and farm and other domesticated animals; legislative efforts and citizen initiatives to strengthen animal protection laws; and the limitations on implementation and enforcement of laws addressing anti-cruelty, wildlife, marine mammal and other areas of animal protection and the impacts of free speech, religious expression, and other Constitutional provisions on animal protection statutes will be explored. Close Window

An examination of principles of school law by use, in part, of the care study approach. Legal foundations of public and non-public schools are studied with consideration given to the Virginia School code. Basic legal principles and guidelines for assisting teachers, administrators and professional support personnel are developed. Close Window

The William & Mary Elder Law Clinic provides free legal services to individuals 55 years and older in the greater Williamsburg community. Through its students and staff attorneys, the Elder Law Clinic provides legal assistance on matters such as: basic estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, medical directives, and probate), guardianship/conservatorship actions, elder abuse and consumer protection cases, Medicare and Medicaid, and nursing home and senior housing issues. Clinic students will represent low- income clients in a variety of legal matters. They will interview clients, conduct the necessary factual investigation and legal research for cases, draft legal document and pleadings, prepare clients for hearings, and represent clients and hearings. Students will also make a community-based presentation on an elder law issue. Students will work in teams with each team member handling a caseload of four to five cases at a time. They will take primary responsibility for representing clients under the supervision of clinic faculty. Students will be expected to spend eight to ten hours per week in client representation. Three graded credits. Close Window

Open to 3Ls, the Family Law Clinic offers students who have their third-year practice certificate the opportunity to represent and advise clients in custody, support, divorce, adoption, and equitable distribution matters. Students will represent individuals with limited financial means from the Williamsburg Office of the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEVA), as well as victims of domestic violence who are seeking to move forward with their lives following an abusive relationship. Students will receive training and experience in working with clients and individuals who have experienced trauma. Students will also learn courtroom skills, that they will use to represent their clients. Taught by Professors Darryl Cunningham and Lindsay Barna. Pass-fail course. OR LAW 309 Evidence are course prerequisites. Successful completion of LAW 115 Professional Responsibility OR LAW 117 The Legal Profession AND LAW 308 Applied Evidence in a Technological Age Close Window

A study of the basic laws relating to federal income taxation of the individual. Included are problems relating to computing gross income, the reduction of gross income to taxable income, and the recognition and character of gains and losses from disposition of property. Close Window

This course will explore issues relating to two groups of juveniles: cases involving children relating to support, custody and child protection and those involving allegations of delinquency. The course will cover broader national approaches, but with a specific focus on Virginia law. Knowledge gained from this course will assist students as future lawyers and policy makers to better shape the juvenile court system. The course will be graded. Close Window

Open to 2Ls and 3Ls, the Special Education Advocacy Clinic (PELE) II is an andvanced clinical experience for up to eight students. Students will refine their own advocacy skills by continuing work on their cases, as well as build their leadership, supervision and collaborative skills by mentoring PELE Clinic I students. PELE I is a prerequisite. Graded course. Class time TBD based on student schedules. Close Window

Open to 2Ls and 3Ls, the Special Education Advocacy Clinic (PELE) I offers eight students the opportunity to assist children with special needs and their families in special education matters. Graded course. Close Window