LAW-2224 International Business Transactions
This course is intended to introduce students to the many legal issues generated by international business transactions and related international trade. With the significant growth in international commerce and trade, and the powerful forces of economic and social globalization, there is an increasing likelihood that lawyers will confront international commercial legal issues more frequently during their professional careers. The aim in this course is to generate vigorous learning and discussion of the many legal and related commercial and prudential issues that arise in international business transactions. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of the primary role of the lawyer in international transactional practice, acting as a practical, ethical and prudential legal advisor, while working to maximize value and reduce risk for the client in conditions of inherent risk and uncertainty. Topics include formation of contracts, choice of law, financing the international sale of goods through letters of credit, regulation of international trade including export and import controls, the organizations and operations of the institutions of the World Trade Organization, licensing of intellectual property; international antitrust; foreign investment, investment in free trade areas such as the European Union, international dispute settlement, and international transfer of intellectual property. A number of sessions will be devoted to analyzing transactional instruments, such as letters of credit, distribution agreements, technology licenses, and joint venture agreements.