Author:
William J. Russell, J.D., MBA

Chapters:
Law and the Legal System (US)
Legal Disputes and Resolution Mechanisms
Relationships: Contracts, Property Rights and Business Organizations
The Matter of Wrongful Conduct
Federal and State Regulation of Business

Chapter 1 begins with the definitions of law, the historical roots of U.S. law and the categories of law: criminal, civil, substantive and procedural. Then, jurisdictional sources of law are discussed: federal, state and local. Finally, the chapter ends with a focus on constitutional issues such as due process, equal protection, commercial speech and rights in criminal matters

Chapter 2 discusses court levels–trial and appellate, court systems–federal and state, and litigation–types of procedures, jurisdiction and venue pleadings, discovery, evidence and statutes of limitation. Remedies–legal, equitable and criminal are reviewed. Finally, arbitration and mediation are discussed.

Chapter 3 begins with the elements of an Enforceable Contract–agreements, consideration, legality, capacity and form. Remedies for breach of contract, privity and third party contracts, unconscionable contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code are covered. Property–types and real property rights are discussed. The chapter ends with a review of types of business organizations.

Chapter 4 discusses the matter of wrongful conduct. Torts–unintentional an intentional are reviewed. Product liability and crimes are discussed. Under crimes, property crimes such as larceny, burglary and robbery are reviewed as well as crime on a person–homicide, assault and battery, kidnapping and extortion.

Chapter 5 covers the federal and state regulation of business. It begins with the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act. Then, securities regulations are discussed–the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Act of 1934. The chapter then focuses on environmental law, bankruptcy, employment law and labor relations.