Advanced Legal Writing (712-1)
Instructors
Sarah Brown
McCormick 278
Office Hours: Thursdays, 12-1:30 p.m. via Zoom
Meeting Info
Levy Mayer 107 - Williams: Thurs 4:30PM - 6:20PM
Overview of class
Internal Investigations is a one-semester course designed to teach you the fundamentals of how to conduct neutral and fair workplace investigations, create a written record of your investigation, and communicate your findings in an objective, legally defensible, investigation report.
By the end of the course, you will (1) understand legal requirements pertaining to workplace discrimination and harassment investigations; (2) identify and draft legally defensible workplace nondiscrimination policies and investigation processes; (3) learn how to effectively plan an investigation from the receipt of the complaint and draft an investigation plan; (4) learn how to interview key parties in the investigation including the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, make credibility determinations, and draft interview memorandums; (5) draft an investigation report that details your factual findings, makes determinations regarding culpability and credibility, and provides recommendations regarding discipline and corporate systemic changes. Throughout the semester we will consider the many challenges that face internal and external investigators, common pitfalls in investigations, and the (often conflicting) interests of stakeholders.
Thorough, objective internal investigators who can write objective, accurate, legally defensible reports are in high demand. This area of the law offers many opportunities for individuals who are interested in employment law but not litigation.
Throughout the semester you will write a number of relatively short (1-5 pages) ungraded assignments designed to build your knowledge in this area of law, build an investigation record, and ultimately help you craft a thorough, graded investigation report. Canvas will be our hub for the course. Your reading and writing assignments will be detailed on each week's module's instruction page. Please review Canvas regularly.
Please note, this course will regularly include content regarding discrimination and harassment, including race and sexual harassment. Students will read cases involving harassment, investigate a harassment complaint, watch videos pertaining to a sexual harassment investigation, and regularly discuss the readings and videos. A significant portion of graded work will be based on participation, so students must be able to discuss this content, and attendance is required.
Registration Requirements
CLR I and II are pre-requisites.
Class Attributes
Satisfies Prof Writing degree req
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: CLR I and II are a pre-requisite for this course.