MLSC 6100 Foundations of U.S. Law for Non-Attorneys: Legal Principles & Ethical Obligations
Course provides non-attorneys with a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles relevant to various aspects of U.S. law, including the structure of the U.S. and State governments and their respective Judicial and administrative courts. Students will also analyze and understand the varying roles of the attorneys they will be working alongside (e.g., government, private, in-house, outside counsel, etc.). Through interactive discussions and case studies, students will exam Constitutional principles (e.g., freedom of speech, idividual protections, due process, etc.) and legal concepts involving statutory v. common law, stare decisis, attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine, negligence, contract law, and litigation types. The course will also focus on professional ethics and responsibility.
Course overview
- Department
- Law
- School
- LAW
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.54 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.69 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 2
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Andrew Mcconville | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | — | 17 of 25 |
| Fall 2025 | Andrew Mcconville | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 21 of 23 |
| Fall 2025 | Michael Cahalane | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 21 of 23 |