220 Conflict of Laws

This course in legal reasoning highlights the central problematic of conflict of laws: the rule of law and the specter of judicial activism. It does so by way of a systematic exploration of the judicial methods and patterns of legal argument used to decide cases in which the relevant facts of the dispute are connected with multiple jurisdictions. The first half of the course is focused on domestic conflicts issues in the United States, mostly dealing with choice of law questions in tort, contract, and family law. This study examines the full range of approaches that developed in the courts between the time of Joseph Beale and rise of the Second Restatement on Conflict of Laws. The second half of the course turns from domestic to transnational conflicts problems, and in particular, brings a focus to the topic of extraterritorial jurisdiction. This study survey US federal court decisions on extraterritorial choice of law, including questions in constitutional law, civil rights law, environmental law, labor law, antitrust law, securities law, and human rights law. 

Grade is 20% class participation, 80% paper.

Course Areas of Practice
Evaluation Methods
  • Research and/or analytical paper
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
Course Type
  • Lecture
Learning Outcomes
  • Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law

Sample Syllabi

Fall 2024

2024
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3
  • Research and/or analytical paper
  • Class participation
Justin Desautels-Stein

This course in legal reasoning highlights the central problematic of conflict of laws: the rule of law and the specter of judicial activism. It does so by way of a systematic exploration of the judicial methods and patterns of legal argument used to decide cases in which the relevant facts of the dispute are connected with multiple jurisdictions. The first half of the course is focused on domestic conflicts issues in the United States, mostly dealing with choice of law questions in tort, contract, and family law. This study examines the full range of approaches that developed in the courts between the time of Joseph Beale and rise of the Second Restatement on Conflict of Laws. The second half of the course turns from domestic to transnational conflicts problems, and in particular, brings a focus to the topic of extraterritorial jurisdiction. This study survey US federal court decisions on extraterritorial choice of law, including questions in constitutional law, civil rights law, environmental law, labor law, antitrust law, securities law, and human rights law. 

Grade is 20% class participation, 80% paper.

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2023

2023
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3
  • Research and/or analytical paper
  • Class participation
Justin Desautels-Stein

This course in legal reasoning highlights the central problematic of conflict of laws: the rule of law and the specter of judicial activism. It does so by way of a systematic exploration of the judicial methods and patterns of legal argument used to decide cases in which the relevant facts of the dispute are connected with multiple jurisdictions. The first half of the course is focused on domestic conflicts issues in the United States, mostly dealing with choice of law questions in tort, contract, and family law. This study examines the full range of approaches that developed in the courts between the time of Joseph Beale and rise of the Second Restatement on Conflict of Laws. The second half of the course turns from domestic to transnational conflicts problems, and in particular, brings a focus to the topic of extraterritorial jurisdiction. This study survey US federal court decisions on extraterritorial choice of law, including questions in constitutional law, civil rights law, environmental law, labor law, antitrust law, securities law, and human rights law. 

Grade is 20% class participation, 80% paper.

Syllabus: 220-01-Fall2023-syllabus.docx30.35 KB

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Spring 2021

2021
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3
  • Final Exam
  • Class participation
Stephen E. Sachs

A study of the special problems that arise when a case is connected with more than one state or nation. Topics include the applicable law (choice of law), personal jurisdiction, and the recognition and effect of foreign judgments.

Pre/Co-requisites

(1) Either Civil Procedure or Federal Courts, or equivalent coursework; AND (2) One of the following: Contracts, Torts, or Property, or equivalent coursework

Spring 2020

2020
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3
  • Final Exam
  • Class participation
Stephen E. Sachs

A study of the special problems that arise when a case is connected with more than one state or nation. Topics include the applicable law (choice of law), personal jurisdiction, and the recognition and effect of foreign judgments.

Pre/Co-requisites

(1) Either Civil Procedure or Federal Courts, or equivalent coursework; AND (2) One of the following: Contracts, Torts, or Property, or equivalent coursework

Spring 2019

2019
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3
  • Final Exam
  • Class participation
Stephen E. Sachs

A study of the special problems that arise when a case is connected with more than one state or nation. Topics include the applicable law (choice of law), personal jurisdiction, and the recognition and effect of foreign judgments.

Pre/Co-requisites

(1) Either Civil Procedure or Federal Courts, or equivalent coursework; AND (2) One of the following: Contracts, Torts, or Property, or equivalent coursework

Spring 2018

2018
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3
  • Final Exam
  • Class participation
Stephen E. Sachs

A study of the special problems that arise when a case is connected with more than one state or nation. Topics include the applicable law (choice of law), personal jurisdiction, and the recognition and effect of foreign judgments.

Pre/Co-requisites

(1) Either Civil Procedure or Federal Courts, or equivalent coursework; AND (2) One of the following: Contracts, Torts, or Property, or equivalent coursework

Spring 2017

2017
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3
  • Take-home examination
  • Class participation
Stephen E. Sachs

A study of the special problems that arise when a case is connected with more than one state or nation. Topics include the applicable law (choice of law), personal jurisdiction, and the recognition and effect of foreign judgments.

Pre/Co-requisites

(1) Either Civil Procedure or Federal Courts, or equivalent coursework; AND (2) One of the following: Contracts, Torts, or Property, or equivalent coursework

Spring 2016

2016
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

220.01 3 Ralf Michaels

A study of the special problems that arise when a case is connected with more than one jurisdiction, be it another state or another nation, including applicable law (choice of law), personal jurisdiction, recognition and effect of foreign judgments.

Pre/Co-requisites
None

*Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.