lecture recording on 12 March 2025 at 14.34.55 PM

Overview

The lecture covers key information regarding the upcoming individual research project and group project for business law.

Test Day: Scheduled for Monday.
Materials Required: Scantron, pencil, index card for notes (front and back).
Discussion on Schedule Confusion: Students clarify their times and realize a change was made without everyone being aware.

Purpose: Each student must submit an individual project involving two case briefs followed by a compare and contrast.
Structure Requirements:
- Two separate briefs addressing two listed cases.
- A final compare and contrast section does not allow for AI use; failure to comply will result in an automatic failure.
- Students are encouraged to discuss ideas and drafts with peers but must write their own work.
Project Timeline: Assigned early in the semester with a deadline far into the future, allowing ample time.
IRAC Method:
- I - Issues: Legal questions central to the appeal.
- R - Rules: Legal precedents and justifications that the court utilized. Must reference relevant case law.
- A - Analysis: A narrative analyzing the application of the facts to the law encompassing all examined issues. This constitutes the majority of the grade.
- C - Conclusion: Summarizes the court's decision; this section is straightforward and can be paraphrased.
Aim for Comprehensive Understanding: Students must understand legal reasoning, not just facts. Include relevant facts leading to the court's decisions in the analysis.

Resources for Research:
- Students can access Westlaw through the university's library website.
- Also mention alternatives such as Google, FineLaw.com, or Caselaw.com.
- Notes on the importance of headnotes in Westlaw that outline significant issues concerning cases.

Cases to Brief:
- Starzinski vs. Capital Public Radio
- Kajabi vs. Feather River Anesthesia Medical Group
- Each case needs an earlier appellate or supreme court reference, along with counsel for parties involved.
- Emphasis on understanding the legal principles, issues, and comparative contractual applications.

Workload:
- Complete drafts of the briefs well in advance of the due date.
- Encourage students not to cram; thorough preparation is key.
Drafting Order: Students should start with Starzinski, which is simpler, then proceed to Kajabi.
- Full drafts are to be submitted separately but graded in context of each other.

Collaboration: Groups must choose one case from Starzinski and complete a brief using the IRAC method.
Presentation: Prepare a presentation detailing the chosen case’s significance to Starzinski's decision rather than presenting all IRAC components.
Individual Contributions: Each group must submit a page detailing each member’s contributions to ensure accountability.
Final Thoughts: Importance of identifying key issues and rules efficiently, with multiple group members contributing in various capacities to avoid over-reliance on individual efforts.