563 Corporate Restructuring and Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - In Practice

This experiential learning course is designed to expose students to the practical, “on-the-ground,” and “real world” skills needed to advise clients in complex and fast-paced corporate restructuring and Chapter 11 business reorganization matters, and to develop an introductory working knowledge of key issues and topics often presented in modern-day restructuring practice. The course will involve several substantive lectures, thoughtfully selected reading assignments to be discussed in depth during class sessions, simulations in which students take on different role-play exercises involving a distressed company and its stakeholders, preparation of written strategy memoranda as part of the simulation exercises, and guidance and constructive feedback from the course instructors. Students will also hear from prominent guest speakers who will provide practical insights and observations from their careers in the restructuring industry. 

 

Evaluation Methods
  • Simulated Writing, Transactional
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
Course Type
  • Simulation

Sample Syllabi

Fall 2023

2023
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

563.01 2
  • Simulated Writing, Transactional
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
Zachary Smith

This experiential learning course is designed to expose students to the practical, “on-the-ground,” and “real world” skills needed to advise clients in complex and fast-paced corporate restructuring and Chapter 11 business reorganization matters, and to develop an introductory working knowledge of key issues and topics often presented in modern-day restructuring practice. The course will involve several substantive lectures, thoughtfully selected reading assignments to be discussed in depth during class sessions, simulations in which students take on different role-play exercises involving a distressed company and its stakeholders, preparation of written strategy memoranda as part of the simulation exercises, and guidance and constructive feedback from the course instructors. Students will also hear from prominent guest speakers who will provide practical insights and observations from their careers in the restructuring industry. 

 

Grading Basis: Graded

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2022

2022
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

563.01 2
  • Simulated Writing, Transactional
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
Alan Pope, Zachary Smith

This experiential learning course is designed to expose students to the practical, “on-the-ground,” and “real world” skills needed to advise clients in complex and fast-paced corporate restructuring and Chapter 11 business reorganization matters, and to develop an introductory working knowledge of key issues and topics often presented in modern-day restructuring practice. The course will involve several substantive lectures, thoughtfully selected reading assignments to be discussed in depth during class sessions, simulations in which students take on different role-play exercises involving a distressed company and its stakeholders, preparation of written strategy memoranda as part of the simulation exercises, and guidance and constructive feedback from the course instructors. Students will also hear from prominent guest speakers who will provide practical insights and observations from their careers in the restructuring industry. 

 

Grading Basis: Graded

Syllabus: 563-01-Fall2022-syllabus.DOCX33.64 KB

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2021

2021
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

563.01 2
  • Simulated Writing, Transactional
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
Zachary Smith, Alan Pope

This experiential learning course is designed to expose students to the practical, “on-the-ground,” and “real world” skills needed to advise clients in complex and fast-paced corporate restructuring and Chapter 11 business reorganization matters, and to develop an introductory working knowledge of key issues and topics often presented in modern-day restructuring practice. The course will involve several substantive lectures, thoughtfully selected reading assignments to be discussed in depth during class sessions, simulations in which students take on different role-play exercises involving a distressed company and its stakeholders, preparation of written strategy memoranda as part of the simulation exercises, and guidance and constructive feedback from the course instructors. Students will also hear from prominent guest speakers who will provide practical insights and observations from their careers in the restructuring industry. 

 

Grading Basis: Graded

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Spring 2017

2017
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

563.01 2
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
John Simpkins

This course explores the legal issues implicated in sub-Saharan Africa’s economic and political development from the perspective of host-country and foreign governments, businesses, and legal practitioners. Sub-Saharan Africa is considered to be the new frontier in the global economy, as many of the world’s fastest growing economies are in sub-Saharan Africa. The economic performance of many sub-Saharan African countries is projected to continue to improve because of the continent’s changing economic, political, and social landscape. Consequently, U.S. businesses are starting to eye opportunities and to invest heavily in sub-Saharan Africa and U.S. policy toward Africa is also shifting from aiding Africa to investing more in Africa. As U.S. businesses, law firms, and even government agencies are showing an increased interest in sub-Saharan Africa, more private law firms have begun to counsel clients that are looking to expand their businesses or invest in Africa on the various opportunities and unique challenges of doing business in Africa.

We will examine key trends that either promote or hinder growth in the region and present challenges to economic, legal, and political development. Students will gain practical experience by, identifying and solving hypothetical legal and business issues confronted by those seeking to do business in Africa.

Students will be assessed on class participation, weekly response papers for the assigned reading, a 20-page paper identifying and analyzing a legal issue related to economic development, and two problem-based workshops.

 

Grading Basis: Graded

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.