Oak Book College of Law

Introduction to Law (Law 512)
An overview of the American legal system, including an examination of the Biblical and historical foundations of the common law and the common law subjects to be studied in the first year. Students are introduced to important legal terminology, basic legal analysis, concepts of counseling, as well as the proper application of basic life principles to the practice of law.

Contracts (Law 522)
A study of civilly enforceable agreements, including the common law development of contract principles. Specific topics include formation elements, such as offer, acceptance, and consideration; performance of contracts and the related subjects of conditions, discharges, and breach; damages and remedies; third-party beneficiaries, assignments and delegations; and statutory changes to the common law of contracts.

Criminal Law (Law 532)
An examination of the common law doctrines and development of criminal law, with a thorough overview of modern crimes and punishments. The principles of actus reus, mens rea, and causation are discussed, along with the specific elements of each crime.

Torts (Law 542)
A study of private or civil wrongs and injuries and the civil liability which results from such wrongs and injuries. General topics include theories of tort liability, intentional torts to persons and property, negligence, strict liability, and the more specific areas of products liability, nuisance, misrepresentation, defamation, invasion of privacy, and torts in business.

Legal Research & Writing I (Law 552)
An introduction to the fundamental sources and techniques of legal research, including use of a law library and its various resources. The course also presents an in-depth study of legal writing, with the goal that students develop their analytical writing skills. This first year focuses on essay writing, case analysis, logic, and the legal memorandum.

Civil Procedure (Law 651)
A study of how rights and remedies are addressed through a civil lawsuit, including a survey of the goals and strategies of litigation. The course analyzes the development of a civil action from pretrial to the entry of judgment, including pleadings, motions, joinder of parties, discovery, process, and practice. Examination is also given to the appellate process and to the organization and jurisdiction of federal and state courts.

• Credit hours: 5
• Course professor: Peter Fear

Legal Research & Writing II (Law 652)
A continuation of the subject matter developed in Legal Research & Writing I. The second year focuses on objective writing and computer-aided research skills.

• Credit hours: 2
• Course professor: Tracy Banks

Property (Law 661)
An introduction to private property, both real and personal. Topics of study include personal property, donative transfers, future interests and estates in land, landlord/tenant law, freehold and non-freehold estates, easements and covenants, land improvements, conveyances and transfers of interest, and adverse possession. Attention is also given to the practical aspects of real property law, such as real estate contracts, deeds and mortgages, liens on property, legal descriptions, the recording system, and title insurance.

• Credit hours: 5
• Course professor: Michael Tapp

Constitutional Law (Law 681)
A study of the basic concepts of constitutional law, with particular emphasis on the United States Constitution and governmental design. The course examines the separation of powers between branches of the federal government and between federal and state governments, federal commerce and fiscal power (including taxation and the Commerce Clause), judicial review, international affairs, procedural and substantive due process, state police power, equal protection, civil rights, and First Amendment liberties.

• Credit hours: 6
• Course professor: Jordan Lorence

Principles of the Common Law (Law 611)
An examination of the Biblical principles which provided the basis of English common law and their application to modern American jurisprudence. Students will study the development of these principles and analyze current legal issues from the perspective of Biblical principles. The limits of governmental authority and scope of individual liberty are also studied.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: Robert Barth

Business Organizations (Law 701)
An examination of the formation, control, property, structure, and dissolution of business organizations, including the rights and duties of officers and shareholders, and state and federal rules regarding close and public corporations. The course further examines the principles of agency and partnership, including the rights, duties, and liabilities of persons so related.

• Credit hours: 6
• Course professor: Michael Tapp

Criminal Procedure (Law 731)
An analysis of the administration and enforcement of criminal law from pre-arrest to appellate review by state and federal courts. The course discusses the constitutional rights of the accused and the guidelines for law enforcement agents, including arrest, search and seizure, due process, right to jury, police interrogation, and confessions. Criminal trial practice, proceedings, and techniques are also explored.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: John Eidsmoe

Evidence (Law 751)
A study of the law regarding admission or exclusion of testimonial and documentary evidence in civil and criminal cases. Specific topics may include sufficiency and relevancy of evidence, order of proof, notice, hearsay, presumptions, privilege, competency, and impeachment of witnesses.

• Credit hours: 5
• Course professor: Robert Caprera

Legal Research & Writing III (Law 752)
Building on the concepts presented in Legal Research & Writing I and II, the third year centers on persuasive writing, including trial and appellate briefs. An additional one hour of credit may be earned if a student chooses to take the Appellate Advocacy elective in the second semester of the third year.

• Credit hours: 2
• Course professor: Emily A. Younger

Wills and Trusts (Law 762)
A study of the basic principles of intestate succession and testamentary instruments, including the construction, interpretation, revocation, administration, and execution of wills. The course also examines the creation and termination of trusts, as well as the fiduciary administration of both estates and trusts.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: Russell Templeton

Electives
Students may choose one or more of the available and offered elective courses.

• Credit hours: 1-5

Community Property (Law 861)
A study of the law in California and other community property jurisdictions as applied to real and personal property owned by a husband and wife.

• Credit hours: 2
• Course professor: Russell Templeton

Uniform Commercial Code (Law 821)
A survey and analysis of commercial transactions as these relate to the Uniform Commercial Code. Although the UCC is covered in first-year Contracts, this course offers a more detailed study of the subject.

• Credit hours: 6
• Course professor: David Siegrist

Senior Seminar Paper (Law 852)
The fourth year requires the completion of an independent research paper of 30–50 pages, excluding footnotes, under the supervision of a faculty member. In this paper, students are expected to demonstrate excellent research and writing skills as well as legal and Biblical analyses.

• Credit hours: 3
• Course professor: Faculty

Life Principles for Lawyers (Law 891)
A study in the application of the seven basic principles of life (design, responsibility, authority, suffering, ownership, freedom, and success) to the practice of law. By thoroughly understanding each principle, students will be able to make wise strategy decisions and give comprehensive counsel to clients seeking legal assistance.

• Credit hours: 3
• Course professor: Sean Gallagher

Professional Responsibility (Law 892)
A study of the authority and duties of an attorney in his role as an advocate, mediator, and counselor. Responsibility to God, government, the courts and bar, clients, and society in general, are examined, as well as the relationship of the ABA Code of Professional Responsibility and the Model Rules of Professional Conduct to legal ethics and responsibility. Specific topics may include attorney/client relationships, fee arrangements, competency, and conflicts of interest.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: John Eidsmoe

One or Two Electives
Students must choose one or two of the available elective courses.

• Credit hours: 4-8

Note: Electives are available in the third and fourth years only, and the electives offered will depend on student interest and faculty availability.

Creditors' Rights/Bankruptcy (Law 921)
A study of federal bankruptcy law and the law of debtors and creditors under the state law. Specific topics include the property of the estate, the automatic stay, exemptions, discharge, preferences, and reorganization. Such topics as judgment liens, executions, attachments, garnishments, and fraudulent transfers are covered in the non-bankruptcy portion of the course.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: Peter Fear
• Offered in the second semester of the third and fourth years

Remedies (Law 941)
A study of the nature and scope of judicial remedies, including damages, restitution, specific performance, injunction, and declaratory relief.

• Credit hours: 3
• Course Professor: Robert Barth
• Offered in the first semester of the third and fourth years

Appellate Advocacy (Law 953)
This course is an elective in conjunction with Legal Research & Writing III. Students receive instruction in techniques of oral advocacy before an appellate court. Students who choose this elective must do so during the second semester of their third year. Each student is required to participate in appellate moot courts to be held during the Appellate Advoacy workshop.

• Credit hours: 1
• Course professor: Faculty
• Offered in the second semester of the third year only

Legal Internship (Law 955)
A student may earn up to 4 hours of academic credit for practical experience gained by working as an intern for a judge, public prosecutor or defender, legal aid clinic staff attorney, corporate counsel, or a private practitioner. Students interested in obtaining credit for internship experience must submit a written proposal with information requested by the College and obtain approval prior to beginning the internship.

Academic credit for an internship will be awarded on a pass/fail basis, based upon the nature of the work done and the documented time spent working. No academic credit will be given for internships involving little or no legal research and practical skill development.

• Credit Hours: 1-4
• Offered in both semesters of the third and fourth years

Family Law and Principles of Marital Reconciliation (Law 961)
A study of the legal and Biblical foundations of marriage and the family. Scriptural and legal perspectives will be examined regarding divorce, separation, procedure, domestic abuse, child custody, property and support, with a practical view toward reconciliation in Christ. Other topics include an introduction and Biblical aspects of adoption and parent-child relations.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: Larry Higgins
• Offered in the first semester of the third and fourth years

Immigration Law (Law 982)
A study of U.S. immigration law.  This course emphasizes practical application of the laws, according to current procedures of the federal agencies responsible for execution of the laws.  Subjects covered include visa requirements and procedures, asylum and other statuses, citizenship, and defenses to removal (deportation).

• Credit hours: 3
• Course professor: William Humble III
• Offered in the first semester of the third and fourth years

Each student must take either Trial Advocacy or Dispute Resolution to satisfy the skills requirement of Oak Brook College. Typically these courses will be offered during a student's fourth year.

Trial Advocacy (Law 951)
A study to develop students' courtroom skills through simulated civil and criminal cases. Specific areas studied and practiced include pretrial preparation, jury selection, opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examination, exhibits, and objections.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: Douglas McElvy
• Offered in the first semester of the fourth year

Dispute Resolution (Law 952)
A course to develop skills such as negotiation, arbitration, and mediation through simulated exercises. Strategies and methods are examined and practiced.

• Credit hours: 4
• Course professor: Douglas McElvy
• Offered in the second semester of the fourth year

A sample lesson from the Contracts syllabus can be downloaded by clicking here.

A sample lesson from the Life Principles for Lawyers syllabus can be downloaded by clicking here.

Listen to a portion of a lecture from the Contracts course by clicking here.

View sample text list by clicking here. Please note that this is a sample list only and texts should be ordered based on the list provided with the enrollment forms sent to each student.