Public Service

Energy Law

Discussion — 2 units. This course explores the history, law, and public policy of energy regulation in the United States, emphasizing economic and environmental regulation. Competitive restructuring of the natural gas and electric utility industries is emphasized. The basic regulatory schemes for other energy sources—hydroelectric power, coal, oil, and nuclear power—are explored depending on class interest. This seminar is recommended to anyone interested in the energy sector, various models of economic regulation, or regulated industries.

Environmental Law

Discussion — 4 units. An introduction to environmental law, focusing primarily on federal law.  Includes coverage of the historical development of environmental law, including the transition from common law to statutory law; the role of courts, the legislature, and the executive branch in the development and implementation of environmental policy; allocation of authority among different levels of government; the role of market forces in environmental decisions; and the major regulatory strategies that have been applied to control environmental harm.

Environmental Externship

King Hall’s Environmental Externship allows students to earn academic credit in the fall and spring semesters in a variety of environmental law settings. Past placements have included state and federal agencies, and nonprofits, including Earthjustice and the Sierra Club.

Environs Editor

Environs is a biannual environmental law and policy journal that provides an open forum for the discussion of current environmental issues, particularly those pertaining to the state of California. Grading is on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. The following student positions comprise the enrollment of this journal:

Family Law

Discussion — 2 or 3 units. An introduction to the legal regulation of the family. Coverage will include laws and public policies governing marriage and non-marital relationships; parentage; the economic consequences of marital and non-marital dissolutions; child custody and visitation; child support; and interstate jurisdictional issues.

Final Assessment: Exam
Grading Mode: Letter Grading

Domestic and Sexual Violence Law Clinic

During the Fall semester, clinic students provide trauma-informed civil legal assistance to survivors of gender-based violence by staffing a community walk-in pro per restraining order clinic in Woodland and creating a community outreach or research project. Students participate in a mandatory all-clinic orientation the Friday before Fall classes resume and an intensive orientation during the following weekend focusing on gender-based violence, working with victims of trauma, and the California Domestic Violence Prevention Act.

State and Federal Tax Externship

King Hall’s State and Federal Tax Externship allows students to earn academic credit in the fall and spring semesters with federal and state governmental tax agencies. Typical assignments include legal research, analysis and writing, and observation of administrative appeals hearings when possible.

Health Care Law

Discussion — 3 units.  The course addresses law and policy issues in health care financing and access to health care. Course materials and discussion draw from current events as well as case law, statutes and regulations. Course design contextualizes issues to surface role of structural, institutional, and cultural inequalities in health care.

Immigration Law and Procedure

Discussion — 3  or 4 units. This course will cover legal issues and policies pertaining to foreign nationals seeking to migrate permanently or temporarily to the United States, including the regulation of their admission and removal or deportation. This course will examine critically how and why the rights of foreign nationals who are in U.S. territory differ from the rights of citizens. These topics will be covered from various perspectives, including constitutional law, human rights, ethics and morality, and history.

Immigration Law Clinic

The Immigration Law Clinic (ILC) provides legal representation to indigent non-citizens in removal proceedings before U.S. Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal courts,including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The ILC provides this necessary service to Northern California's immigrant communities, offering education and legal services to low-income immigrants facing deportation while enabling students to gain practical, real-world experience.