Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professors Nancy Firestone and Sheila Jones

J.D. Seminar 1166 | 3 credit hours

The majority of civil cases involving the federal government arise from challenges to agency decisions ranging from contractor selection by government procurement officials to project approvals by both civilian and military agencies under various regulatory schemes implementing the nation’s health, finance, and environmental laws. This one-semester, three credit course will provide students with the opportunity to learn in a variety of factual contexts how to litigate federal cases challenging agency decision making on the administrative records prepared by agencies to support their decisions. Each class will focus on a particular stage in the litigation process. Students will be given reading and related litigation exercises that will be carried out in class. The class will culminate in arguing a motion for summary judgment on the administrative record before a federal judge in an actual courtroom setting. This class is designed for students who are interested in gaining practical experience in litigating for or against the federal government. It will be of special help to students who are seeking internships or careers working for the Department of Justice, agencies, or private firms that focus on litigating over government regulatory decisions. This class is open to upper-level students who have taken Civil Procedure. Completing a class involving administrative law is helpful but not required.

Prerequisite: Civil Procedure. Recommended: Administrative Law.