Seminar Paper Topics
Economics of Law Practice Seminar
Fall 1999
91:621
[Nicholas Johnson/University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa]

Quick Links to Contents

Introduction
Aspects of Delivery/Funding Mechanisms
Allocation of Topics
Additional Funding Mechanisms Discussed but not Chosen
Basic Research Sources/Techniques
Assignment and Expectations



Introduction: During our first seminar session, August 26, 1999, we: It is the purpose of this Web page to summarize that discussion and indicate the preliminary assignments.

The relevant law school standards for academic and writing credits are not repeated here, but are contained in the current University of Iowa College of Law, Student Handbook 1999-2000.


Aspects of Delivery/Funding Mechanisms
(With sample, not definitive, annotations and questions)

Description of Method of Delivery/Funding

Origins of the Method Public Policy and Social Consequences Legal Ethics Economics of the Method
Allocation of Topics

Note: (1) As it turned out, almost everyone got his or her first or second choice or both. (2) Duplicate requests were resolved with the arbitrary, but easily administered, standard of alphabetical order of last name. (Sorry Jay!) (3) Those who have been allocated two topics requested two; those with one did not indicate they wanted more than one. (4) Because we came up with a list of 23, and you have chosen 12, there are still 11 left, listed below this table, for anyone who would like to add another (or swap).
 
Chinn, Derek contingent fee class action
Drish, Joe fixed fee in-house corporate counsel
Harris, Amy public defenders
Henrichsen, P.A. class action
Holmes, Jeremy hourly billing
Hull, Thomas retainer pre-paid group
Kriegel, Matt damages plus attorney's fees
Streitz, Jay specialized legal services Bar/Court-created funds


Additional Funding Mechanisms Discussed but not Chosen

Basic Research Sources/Techniques

Note: We didn't come up with anything unique or profound regarding research, but the following obvious suggestions we did mention may be worth a quick review.


Assignment and Expectations

Because we want to get off to a rousing start, and because I am going to be unavoidably out of the city during the first couple weeks of September, we agreed we need to get this seminar jump started over the weekend (August 26-30, 1999).

So do as much by way of survey, reading general source materials, compiling a beginning bibliography of what look like good sources, and at least a sketchy outline of what you intend to present as you can between now and the beginning of next week. These are steps you're going to have to go through anyway. We're just accelerating when you do them.

Our goal is to have you on track, to save you time and energy that might otherwise be squandered while working on your own September 9-19. So it is in your best interest to get as much done, and be as clear in your mind as possible as to where you're going during that time when I will not be available to you.

You may want to make a specific appointment even though I don't care whether you do or not. You're free to wander into the office any time the door is open. But I may be out when you come by, or seeing someone else. And, obviously, the earlier you can get in the better. If you wait until Wednesday I may not have time. See Sharlee Feller for remaining available times, half-hours, on the hour and half-hour, between 8:30 and 11:30, Monday through Wednesday.