LAW 6131 - Business Organizations

Fall, spring. 3-4 credits, variable.

Fall, R. Hockett (3 credits); fall, C. Whitehead (4 credits); spring, G. Fletcher (3 credits).

An introduction to the legal rules and principles, as well as some of the economic factors, that underlay the conduct of business enterprise in the United States. A principal focus will be upon the large, publicly traded corporation that dominates much of the U.S. business environment - in particular, its control and the potentially conflicting interests that the form must mediate. Legal topics to be covered include business formation and capitalization, fiduciary obligations, shareholder voting, derivative suits, corporate control transactions, and the purpose of the film. We shall also devote some attention to closely held corporations and other business forms.