This course offers a comprehensive and practice-focused exploration of Conflict of Laws (also known as Private International Law in comparative jurisdictions), focusing on how courts resolve disputes involving multi-jurisdictional legal issues. Students will analyze and apply choice-of-law doctrines, jurisdictional principles, and recognition of judgments in complex domestic and international contexts.
The course emphasizes hands-on legal training through simulations, litigation strategy exercises, and client advisory work. Topics include torts, contracts, property, family law, corporate and commercial conflicts, and international cross-border litigation. Students will learn to identify, assess, and resolve conflicts across state, national, and international boundaries, integrating public policy concerns and constitutional limitations.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
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Analyze and apply traditional and modern choice-of-law doctrines to multi-jurisdictional legal disputes.
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Navigate personal and subject matter jurisdiction issues across states and national borders.
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Advise clients on risk exposure and litigation strategy in multi-jurisdictional contexts.
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Draft and interpret choice-of-law and forum selection clauses in commercial contracts.
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Assess the enforceability of foreign and sister-state judgments.
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Strategically manage conflict-of-laws issues in tort, contract, property, and family law disputes.
