Basics of Contract Drafting (622-1)

Meeting Info

Rubloff Building 254 - Savner: Mon 8:40AM - 10:30AM

Overview of class

Contracts are among the most important tools lawyers use to solve problems, help clients achieve their objectives, manage risk, and create value. This introductory course teaches the foundational skills needed to translate business objectives and agreements into clear, practical, and effective written contracts.

The course is not designed to teach students how to draft any one particular type of agreement. Instead, it introduces the core concepts, organizational structure, and drafting techniques common to negotiated commercial contracts. Students will work with existing agreements and other forms of contract precedent, but the focus of the course is on developing the judgment and skills needed to draft clear, effective agreements in a contemporary style.

The course also introduces students to a fundamental principle of effective lawyering: understanding the client's business. Strong contracts do more than manage legal risk. They help clients achieve their objectives and capture opportunities.
Regardless of the area of law in which students ultimately practice, contracts are likely to be a fundamental part of their legal careers. Developing the ability to draft and analyze contracts strengthens legal judgment and provides a foundation for effective lawyering across practice areas.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Identify the components of a typical negotiated commercial contract and understand the purpose of each.
• Properly use contract concepts to convey the intentions of the parties, including covenants, conditions, representations and warranties, grants of discretionary authority, and declarations.
• Draft logically organized, precise, and unambiguous contracts in a contemporary style that avoids archaic language, redundancies, and unnecessary legalese.
• Identify legal, commercial, and practical issues in contracts drafted by others and recommend revisions that improve clarity and strengthen the agreement.
• Edit and revise contracts to reflect input from clients and opposing counsel.
• Recognize how business context informs effective contract drafting and how contracts can help clients achieve their objectives, manage risk, and create value.

Class Attributes

Satisfies Experiential Learning degree req
Satisfies Prof Writing degree req
Business/Corporate transactions an element

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: MSL and Tax Students are not eligible to enroll.