1L - First Year Lesson Topics

This set of Topics covers subjects typically taught during the first year of law school.
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Defining the Term "Search"

This lesson is designed to help students understand the term "search" as it is used under the Fourth Amendment. As we shall see, the term is a term of art which does not always correspond to popular conceptions or definitions of the term search. In this lesson, we explore the various facets and definitions of the term. This lesson is intended for students who have studied these issues in class and who would like to refine their knowledge.

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Discharge of Duties: Discussions in Contracts Podcast

This podcast discusses a discharge of duties such that parties do not have to perform their contractual obligations and cannot demand performance under the other party's contract. Consideration is required to support enforcement of an agreement, including a modification of a contract resulting in a discharge of duties. This podcast will look at discharge by rescission, substituted performance, substituted contract, novation, and accord and satisfaction. We will also look at when a discharge is enforceable where it is supported by consideration, including where there is the use of an instrument under U.C.C. § 3-311. The podcast steps you through analyzing numerous hypos. 

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Discovery Privileges: Work Product

This lesson is part of a series of lessons about Discovery. Rule 26(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure describes the scope of discovery: This lesson will explore the doctrine of attorney work product. Material that falls under the work product doctrine ordinarily need not be produced in discovery, even if it is extremely relevant.

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Discovery Privileges: Attorney-Client Privilege

This lesson is part of a series of lessons about Discovery. If something is privileged, then, it is not discoverable even though it is relevant and proportional. This lesson will explore the doctrine of attorney-client privilege in the context of civil discovery in federal court litigation. Communications protected by the privilege are not discoverable, even if they are extremely relevant.

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Discovery Processes

This lesson is part of a series of lessons about Discovery. Discovery is the process through which the parties exchange information, documents, electronically-stored information, and sometimes even tangible things. This particular lesson focuses on the processes lawyers use to create, respond to, and have disputes about discovery.

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Express Conditions: Discussions in Contracts Podcast

The topic of this podcast is when language in a contract is an express condition, such that failure to satisfy the condition results in a performance not being due. A condition can be a good way to hedge in case a party is concerned that it can’t meet its commitments and wants to avoid being in breach of contract. This podcast is related to the discussion of conditions in two other podcasts: Excuse of Conditions and Implied Conditions. This podcast discusses Clark v. West Publishing Company, and explains why drafters should use terms such as “if” or “on condition that” to make it clear that a term is a condition. 

Lesson Viewed

Third Party Beneficiaries: Discussions in Contracts Podcast

This podcast discusses the topic of Third Party Beneficiaries. When can a person who is not party to a contract sue to enforce the contract? While the rule can be found in Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 302, it can be difficult to apply. This podcast explains how to determine the intent of the parties when considering whether the third party is a third party beneficiary. Concepts covered in this podcast include an incidental beneficiary, creditor beneficiary, and an intended beneficiary. The podcast includes the analysis for several hypotheticals and Lawrence v. Fox, 20 N.Y. 268 (1859). 

Lesson Viewed

Discussions in Contracts: Acceptance Podcast

The topic of this podcast is the basic concepts related to acceptance of an offer. Acceptance is simply the name given to the action of an offeree in making the offeror’s promise enforceable. This podcast will look at the basic attributes of acceptance, as well as specific issues related to the mirror image rule, the permitted method and manner of acceptance, and acceptance by silence.

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