Insights: U.S. Legal System Certificate Program
Insights programs are in-depth professional development programs for international and U.S. students, legal educators, and legal professionals.
Join expert Boston College Law School faculty for this popular five-day introduction to the U.S. legal system – now offered online!
Participants will learn about:
- The system of justice and legal problem-solving in the U.S.
- The role of the lawyer in the U.S.
- The facilitative role lawyers play in business transactions
- How to introduce evidence in a case
- How civil and criminal cases are handled in the U.S.
- The role of constitutional courts
- The appeals process in the U.S.
- Models of governance in times of stress
- Environmental law and lessons for the future
Each of the five days will offer a two-hour, live synchronous session and a two-hour, recorded asynchronous session. The live sessions offered via Zoom will be interactive; participants may attend recorded sessions at a time that is convenient. Live Q&A sessions with instructors will follow the recorded sessions.
Total program hours: 25
Insights: U.S. Legal System - Online
January 9-13, 2023
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2023
Program Fee: $300 USD
Please note that online participants are required to have a computer with video and audio capability.
Participants must also create a Zoom account in advance according to Boston College security requirements.
This program has a maximum capacity to allow for participant engagement and ensure the best possible experience. Register early to avoid disappointment!
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM ET (Synchronous)
Session 1 • Introduction to the U.S. Legal System and Legal Problem-Solving
Instructor: Joan Blum
This session introduces the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system. Topics include an overview of the U.S. Constitution focusing on federalism, the structure and function of courts, sources of legal authority, and common-law method.
2 Hours (Asynchronous)
Session 2 • Introduction to Transactional Law Practice
Instructor: Paul Tremblay
Most lawyers in the United States engage in transactional practice. Unlike litigators who represent clients in court or administrative hearings, lawyers work with individuals or businesses to arrange their affairs, establish legal and organizational structures, and advise about compliance. This introduction will focus on one increasingly relevant aspect of that work—representing startups. The session will outline the typical steps in organizing a new business, including choosing an appropriate entity, arranging the relationships among the founders and any new investors or workers, protecting the enterprise’s intellectual property, and addressing any ethical issues that arise.
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM ET (Synchronous)
Session 2 • Q&A
Instructor: Paul Tremblay
Live discussion for Session 2 with the instructor.
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET (Synchronous)
Session 3 • Professional Responsibility and the Role of the Lawyer
Instructor: Judith A. McMorrow
This session on professional responsibility and legal ethics will explore the significant responsibility lawyers have to shape law in a common law system, and their responsibility to advocate for clients in the adversary system. The session will also explore how professional responsibility norms differ slightly around the world, reflecting the varying visions of independence and the balance of client-centered lawyering and social responsibility.
2 Hours (Asynchronous)
Session 4 • Perspectives: Judges and Prosecutors on the U.S. Legal System
Instructors: Hon. Christine McEvoy and Kevin Curtin
Judge Christine M. McEvoy and Prosecutor Kevin J. Curtin address the respective roles of an independent judiciary and a professional prosecutor’s office in the U.S. criminal justice system. Their focus is on the process of fairly adjudicating the criminal responsibility of persons accused of crimes, while protecting the individual rights of all parties involved and respecting the accused’s right to the due process of law.
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM ET (Synchronous)
Session 4 • Q&A
Moderator: Judith A. McMorrow
Live Discussion for Session 4 with the instructor.
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET (Synchronous)
Session 5 • Introduction to Civil Litigation: Pre-Trial Practice
Instructor: Alan Minuskin
This practice-focused, interactive session provides an overview of the development of a civil case from client interview through conclusion of a matter. Stages and skills covered include client interviewing, case planning and pleading, fact investigation (including discovery), client counseling, and negotiation. The session also highlights how a civil litigator's often competing ethical responsibilities (to the client, to the court, to the legal system, to the opposing side, and others) naturally lead to challenges in making strategic decisions.
2 Hours (Asynchronous)
Session 6 • Introduction to Evidence
Instructor: Jeffrey Cohen
U.S. judges use rules of evidence to control the flow of information that a jury is allowed to hear. Evidentiary rules seek to balance access to relevant information with a desire to avoid evidence that is unreliable, inflammatory, or repetitive. This session will explore the reasons for Rules of Evidence and cover some of the major topics, including relevance and hearsay.
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET (Synchronous)
Session 7 • The Role of Constitutional Courts in Democracies
Instructor: Pedro Lenza
Constitutional democracies around the world face a common issue in justifying and accepting judicial review. When a constitutional court strikes down legislative enactments passed by a body elected by the people, it raises a “counter-majoritarian legitimacy” issue. Why should unelected judges be able to overturn the legislatively determined will of the people? This session will analyze precedents to explore the roles played by the courts in constitutional democracies – counter-majoritarian, representative, and enlightened.
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET (Synchronous)
Session 6 • Q&A
Instructor: Jeffrey Cohen
Live Discussion for Session 6 with the instructor.
2 Hours (Asynchronous)
Session 8 • Introduction to Appellate Litigation
Instructor: Thomas Barnico
This session will introduce the student to appellate litigation in the United States. We will cover the organization and jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, including the considerations that inform Supreme Court review of lower federal and state court decisions. The session will next cover the key elements of appellate litigation: the decision to appeal, preparation of the briefs and record, and oral argument. Finally, we will study a case argued by the instructor and decided in the United States Supreme Court, Crosby v. National Foreign Trade Council, 530 U.S. 363 (2000) (striking down Massachusetts law restricting state entities from buying goods or services from companies doing business with Myanmar (Burma)).
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM ET (Synchronous)
Session 8 • Q&A
Instructor: Thomas Barnico
Live Discussion for Session 8 with the instructor.
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET (Synchronous)
Session 9 • Resilient Models of Governance in Times of Human and Planetary Stress
Instructor: Zygmunt Plater
Given the current situation of stressful global existential threats – most notably climate change and coronavirus (COVID-19) – lawyers need to understand how the complex structures of civic governance in the U.S. and around the world have evolved over the years. This session will explore how these structures successfully – or less successfully – manage the dynamically changing demands of new threats, new technologies, and evolving societal norms.
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM ET (Synchronous)
Session 10 • Q&A
Instructor: Zygmunt Plater
Live Discussion for Session 10 with the instructor.
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM ET (Synchronous)
Closing Session
Facilitator: Judith A. McMorrow
2 Hours (Asynchronous)
Session 10 • Environmental Law and Its Lessons for Future Governance
Instructor: Zygmunt Plater
Environmental protection law is a relatively young sector of law in the U.S. and abroad; however, patterns and frameworks have evolved that illuminate major themes and necessities of long-term societal governance and sustainability. Environmental protection law is one of the only areas of the U.S. legal system that explicitly takes into account the needs of future generations in establishing its regulatory standards. In this session, we will explore some of the specific features of U.S. environmental law that have direct relevance in other national systems, as well as its general thematic features, which are relevant in virtually all modern national states.
U.S. Legal System Program Testimonials, August 2020 Program:
- “I can say, with absolute certainty, that this course exceeded my expectations. I was positively surprised by the quality and depth of the content, the material provided and the professors. Above all, I want to thank the warm welcome I received from all the professionals and students involved in this course. I'm sure this was one of the best experiences I've ever had.”
- “The course was excellent in all aspects and met the proposal to introduce the American legal system wonderfully. Amazing teachers, great lessons. It met all my expectations. I hope to see you soon again. Thank you!"
- “I am happy with the content of the course. Very stimulating lectures, great teachers, and good structured classes. I learned so much. Thank you all.”
Insights: U.S. Legal System Instructors
Certificate Pricing
Insights: U.S. Legal System
The program fee for
Insights: U.S. Legal System
is $300 USD.
General Information:
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Insights U.S. Legal System program. All sales are final; we are not able to offer refunds. Registrations may not be transferred to another person or to another course, workshop, or program.
Online registration is required to participate in the program. Tuition for the week-long program is $300 to be paid by debit or credit card. Registrations will be processed upon receipt of payment. Payment is due in full in order to enroll.