Introduction to Business Law

Jeffrey F. Beatty earned his B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and J.D. from Boston University. He has practiced law at Greater Boston Legal Services, where he has represented indigent clients. Professor Beatty has earned The Metcalf Cup and Prize, Boston University’s highest teaching award. In addition to his legal research and writings, Professor Beatty has written both plays and television scripts that have been performed in Boston, London and Amsterdam. Patricia Sánchez Abril earned her B.A. from Duke University and J.D. from Harvard Law School. She has practiced law with Hunton & Williams, LLP as well as Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Professor Abril has been awarded the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, Distinguished Junior Faculty Award and Outstanding Proceedings, the Hoeber Memorial Award for Excellence in Research and the University of Miami Faculty Senate Outstanding Teaching Award. Professor Abril’s research has appeared in numerous professional and scholarly journals, such as the American Business Law Journal, Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, Florida Law Review, Houston Law Review, Wake Forest Law Review and Columbia Business Law Journal. Susan S. Samuelson earned her A.B. and J.D. from Harvard University. She has practiced corporate law with Choate, Hall and Stewart. Professor Samuelson has earned the Broderick Prize for excellence in teaching at the Questrom School. A highly respected legal professional, she has written numerous articles on legal issues for scholarly and popular journals, including the American Business Law Journal, Ohio State Law Journal, Boston University Law Review, Harvard Journal on Legislation, National Law Journal, Sloan Management Review, Inc. Magazine and Boston Magazine.

Unit 1: THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT.
1. Introduction to Law.
2. Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.
3. International Law.
4. Constitutional, Statutory, Administrative, and Common Law.
5. Dispute Resolution.
6. Crime.
Unit 2: TORTS.
7. Intentional Torts and Business Torts.
8. Negligence, Strict Liability, and Product Liability.
9. Cyberlaw and Privacy.
Unit 3: CONTRACTS.
10. forming a Contract
11. Requirements for a Contract
12. Performance of a Contract
13. Practical Contracts
14. Sales
15. Negotiable Instruments
16. Secured Transactions
Unit 4: AGENCY AND EMPLOYMENT LAW.
17. Agency Law.
18. Employment and Labor Law.
19. Employment Discrimination.
Unit 5: THE LIFECYCLE OF A BUSINESS.
20. Starting a Business: LLCs and Other Options.
21. Corporations.
22. Bankruptcy.
Unit 6: GOVERNMENT REGULATION.
23. Securities and Antitrust.
24. Consumer Protection.
25. Environmental Law.
26. Accountants’ Liability
Unit 7: PROPERTY.
27. Intellectual Property.
28. Real Property and Landlord Tenant Law.
29. Personal Property and Bailment.
30. Estate Planning
31. Insurance
Appendix A: The Constitution of the U.S.
Appendix B: Uniform Commercial Code.
Appendix C: Answer Key for Selected End-of-Chapter Questions.