Introduction to Business Law

Jeffrey F. Beatty earned his B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and J.D. from Boston University. He practiced law at Greater Boston Legal Services, where he represented clients in poverty. Professor Beatty earned The Metcalf Cup and Prize, Boston University’s highest teaching award. In addition to his legal research and writings, Professor Beatty wrote both plays and television scripts that were performed in Boston, London and Amsterdam. Susan S. Samuelson earned her A.B. and J.D. from Harvard University. She practiced corporate law with Choate, Hall and Stewart. Professor Samuelson earned the Broderick Prize for excellence in teaching at the Questrom School. A highly respected legal professional, she has written numerous articles on legal issues for scholarly and popular journals, including American Business Law Journal, Ohio State Law Journal, Boston University Law Review, Harvard Journal on Legislation, National Law Journal, Sloan Management Review, Inc. Magazine and Boston Magazine. Patricia Sánchez Abril is Interim Dean of the University of Miami Law School and Professor of Business Law at the University of Miami Herbert Business School. After graduating from Duke University and Harvard Law School, she practiced international corporate law and served in a business and legal affairs capacity at a major entertainment company. Professor Abril’s research has appeared in the American Business Law Journal, Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, Florida Law Review, University of North Carolina Law Review, Wake Forest Law Review, Yale Journal of Law and Technology and Columbia Business Law Journal, among other journals. Professor Abril has won multiple awards for teaching business law, including the University of Miami Faculty Senate Outstanding Teaching Award. Patricia Sánchez Abril is Interim Dean of the University of Miami Law School and Professor of Business Law at the University of Miami Herbert Business School. After graduating from Duke University and Harvard Law School, she practiced international corporate law and served in a business and legal affairs capacity at a major entertainment company. Professor Abril’s research has appeared in the American Business Law Journal, Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, Florida Law Review, University of North Carolina Law Review, Wake Forest Law Review, Yale Journal of Law and Technology and Columbia Business Law Journal, among other journals. Professor Abril has won multiple awards for teaching business law, including the University of Miami Faculty Senate Outstanding Teaching Award.

• UNIT 1: THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT.1. Introduction to Law.2. Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.3. International Law.4. Constitutional, Statutory, Administrative, and Common Law.5. Dispute Resolution.6. Crime.UNIT 2: TORTS.7. Intentional Torts and Business Torts.8. Negligence, Strict Liability, and Product Liability.9. Privacy and Internet Law.UNIT 3: CONTRACTS AND THE UCC.10. Forming a Contract.11. Requirements for a Contract.12. Performance of a Contract.13. Practical Contracts.14. Sales.15. Negotiable Instruments.16. Secured Transactions.UNIT 4: AGENCY AND EMPLOYMENT LAW.17. Agency.18. Employment and Labor Law.19. Employment Discrimination.UNIT 5: THE LIFECYCLE OF A BUSINESS.20. Starting a Business: LLCs and Other Options.21. Corporations.22. Bankruptcy.UNIT 6: GOVERNMENT REGULATION.23. Securities and Antitrust.24. Consumer Protection.25. Environmental Law.26. Accountants’ Liability.UNIT 7: PROPERTY.27. Intellectual Property.28. Real Property and Landlord–Tenant Law.29. Personal Property and Bailment.30. Estate Planning.31. Insurance.Appendix A: The Constitution of the U.S.Appendix B: The Uniform Commercial Code.