Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

(writing credit)

This seminar is an intensive review of actual litigation materials in cases involving religious minorities before the Supreme Court. The class will critique petitions for certiorari, briefs in opposition, and briefs on the merits, as well as transcripts of oral arguments in leading religious-liberty cases decided by the Supreme Court. Internal Supreme Court documents will be analyzed. One case on the Supreme Court's current docket is also selected for close examination. Arrangements are made for a class visit to hear oral argument and to discuss presentation of the case with advocates or others involved in the litigation. The final paper is preparation of a draft petition for certiorari in an actual recently decided case.