1998-1999_Law School Catalog.pdf - The Texas Tech University ...

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20 Information for Applicants 21RACE ANO RAOSM 6073.2or3hrs.This COUISe addn5ses the many arv:I various ways in whichrace and the law intersect and interact. Topics range fromaffirmative action to inlerracial adoption.REAL PROPERlY flNANCEAND TRANSACTIONS 6004.24 his.Astudy of residential and commercial real estate transactions.Topics of discussion will include: negotiating the purchase andsale contract, methods of title assurance; the secondary mortgagemarket; land acquisition and developmenlloans; variousmortgage instruments and alternatives such as adjustable ratemortgages, wrap around mortgages, leasehold mortgages,purchase money mortgages, sale and lease backs, and contractsfor deed; tax considerations in real estate transactions; shoppingcenters; condominiums; and cooperatives.REMEDIES 6007.2or3lus.Forms of legal and equitable relief acourt is equipped 10 grantby way of redress to those who have been or may be injured,including alternative choices and the tactical advantages ofeach.RESEARCH 7001.SECURITIES REGUlATION 6028.2or 3 hrs.Astudy of federal and state regulation of the public distnbulionof securities. Covers initial public offerings, the corporatedecision 10 "go public," the sale of registered and unregisteredsecurities, resales of serurities, disclosure required inaprospectus and offering curricular, civil and criminal liability,and enforcement of statute's anti-fraud provision under theFederal and Texas Securities Act.SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 7004.lor2hrs.lor3hrs.SPORTS LAW 6055.20r3hrs.Astudy of the law as it affects professional and amateur sports.It probes the relationships among the leagues, the individualdubs, the playm' unions, and the athletes. Topics covered areplayers' contracts, arbitration, remedies, antitrust issues, laborexemptions, discipline of players and dubs, collectivebargaining, liability for injuries, amateur athletics, and NCAAproblems.STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 6036. 2 or 3 hrs.Astudyof the law relating to the creation of local governmentunits, their legislative, fiscal, proprietary, and administrativepowers and functions, tort and contract liability. The relationshipbetween state and local government and inter-govemmentalconflicts will be discussed. Special emphasis is place:! onTexas law.TEXAS CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 6010. 2OJ 3 hrs.The law regulating the Texas criminal process from arrestthrough post-eonviction review with an emphasis on itsunique characteristics.TEXAS LAND TInES 6250.2 hrs.Contracts for sale of land; forms of deeds; descriptions;warranty and other covenants of title; escrows; recordingstatutes; practice in drafting; acquisition of title to landthrough adverse possession.TEXAS PRETRIAL PROCEDURE 6037. 2or 3 hrs.Astudy of the Texas law in civil cases pertaining to subjectmatter jurisdiction within the state system, jurisdiction ofpersons and property, pleadings, venue, parties, effects of prioradjudications, attacks on final judgments, discovery, anddisposition without trial.TEXAS TRIAL AND APPELLATEPROCEDURE 6014.2or 3 hrs.As1udy of the Texas law in civil cases pertaining to trial andappellate procedure conreming the jury, presentation of thecase, motions for instructed verdict, the court's charge, theverdict. trial before the court,. post-trial motions and procedures,final and appealable judgments, appellate jurisdiction,perfection of appeal, the courts of appeals, the Supreme Courtof Texas, and original proceedings in appeUate courts.TRANSAcnONAL PRACTICE 6084.2or 3 hrs.Course provides opportunity to plan, negotiate, and draft legaldocuments in the context of business, commercial, andemployment transactions. Fundamental concepts underlyingcontractual agreements will be emphasized.TRIAL ADVOCACY 6228.2 hI'S.Apractical course involving demonstrations and studentpractice in aU aspects of the trial of civil and criminal caseswhich provide significant opportunities for jury persuasion,instructor analysis and commentary respecting studentperfonnance and evaluation of trial tactics.WATER LAW fiJ1J.2or3hrs.Astudy of private law systems for aUocating waler amongusers, the public law systems of allocation,. groundwatermanagement,. development of new water supplies, intmtatedisputes, and water pollution.WORKERS' COMPENSATION 6230.2Ius.Astudy of the origin and substance of workers' compensationlaw and procedures before administrative tribunals and courts.Special emphasis on Texas statutes and procedure.This material has been prepared to acquaint youwith the application procedures and admissionprocess for the Texas Tech Univen;ity School of Law.Before preparing your app~cation, please readthis material carefuUy, and if you have unansweredquestions, contact our Admissions Office(806) 742-3985.Prelegal EducationThe Law School does not prescribe a specificprelegal curriculum for its applicants. The widerange of lawyers' tasks and the difference inofferings from college to college preclude such anapproach. However, there are certain goals thatprelaw students shouJd keep in mind when planningtheir coOege programs. They shouJd strive toacquire the ability to read, write, and speak theEnglish language weU, to gain a critical unden;tandingof human values and institutions-politicaJ,economic, and social, and to develop in themselvesthe power to think creatively. The Official Guide toU.S. lAw Schools: Prelaw Handbook published by theLaw School Admission Council and Law SchoolAdmission Services contains a good discussion ofthe undergraduate background studenls shouldseek to acquire before entering law school. Acopyof this handbook may be ordered from Law Services,P. O. Box 2400, Newtown, PA 18940.0977.Application ProcedureThe following materials must be received by theTexas Tech Law School Admissions Office before anapplication file will be reviewed.1. ACOMPLETED APPLICATION FORM.Send to:Admissions OfficeSchool of LawTexas Tech Univen;ityBox 400llLubbock, Texas 79409-lXXl42. LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST SCORE.The LSAT/LSDAS Infomlotion Book contains aregistration form for the tSAT and can be obtainedfrom Law Services, Box 2400, Newtown, PA 18940(En, or from most college counseling and placementoffices. Arrangements should be made to takethe test in June, October, or December of the yearbefore the faU semester the applicant wishes to beadmitted. However, February tesls will be accepted.3. LAW SCHOOL DATA ASSEMBLY SERVICEREPORT (LSDAS REPORT). This service may beordered using the subscription form contained inthe LSAT/LSDAS Information Book. This can beobtained from any high school or four-year collegein the applicant's area. After registering for thisservice, the applicant should request each college oruniversity at which credit was earned toward theundergraduate degree to send transcripts to LawSchool Admission Service (LSAS). LSAS analyzesthe undergraduate grade record and sends theanalysis to the Law School. LSDAS policies allowrenewal for up to two years following the end ofthe original subscription year. LSDAS reports willbe updated to include first-year lalV school matriculation.Cost of renewal is $54 and should be paid toLSDAS. For additionaJ information, contact LawServices, Box 2002, 661 Penn Station, Newtown, PA18940-0998, (215) 968-1001 (8:30 a.mAl:OO p.m. EST).4. APPLICATION FEE. Anonrefundableapplicationfee of $50 must be enclosed with your application.Checks should be made payable to TexasTech University.5. RESIDENCY OATH. All applicants mustcomplete the Residency Oath and return it withtheir application.6. PERSONAL STATEMENT AND REsUME.7. APPLICANTS FILE CARD AND REPLYCARDS. Please complete these four carns andreturn them with your application. Be sure thatyour address is written or typed on the cards beforereturning them. No postage is required.The following materials may be sent to supportyour application but are not required.1. Transcripls of graduate study. Graduategrades are not included in the LSDAS analysis.Graduate transcripls should be sent directly to theAdmissions Office.2. Letters of recommendation. These are notrequired, but if letters are submitted, they should besent by individuals who are in a position to com-
22 23ment upon an applicanYs potential for studying lawbased on personal knowledge. The AdmissionsCommittee asks that applicants send no more thanthree recommendation letters. They arc not influencedby the number of letters but by the quality ofthe letters.When to ApplyApplication may be made after the applicant hasearned 90 hours of undergraduate credit but allwork toward the baccalaureate degree must becompleted before enrolling in the School of Law.Candidates should not delay filing an application inorder to include later grades. An updated transcriptmay be submitted to LSDAS at any time and thecumulative grade-point average will be recomputedto reflect the additional grades.For consideration for fall, applicants are advisedto complete application by February. Four to sixweeks are normally required for processing theLSAT score and the LSDAS grade analysis.Applicants should be alert to the system ofacknowledgments used by the Texas Tech School ofLaw and by the Law School Admission Servi"" toinform them of receipt of application materials.LSAS sends an acknowledgment to the applicantupon receipt of the applicant's college transcripts.Since the LSDAS reports cannot be completed andsent to the law school until all transcripts requestedhave been received and evaluated, inquiries shouldbe made to LSAS (215/968-1001) if acknowledgmentsare not received within a reasonable time.The admissions staff of the Law School acknowledgesreceipt of the application and again informsthe applicant when the application is completedwith an LSDAS report.Applications are considered for the current yearfall enrollment only.Application Procedure for ForeignStudentsIn addition to completing the application foradmission, each applicant must also register for andtake the Law School Admissions Test. The TexasTech School of Law must receive official copies ofthe applicant's transcript(s) from the undergraduateschool. Each transcript must have a notation on itshowing that adegree was awarded. Upon receiptof the transcript, we will send acopy of it to anofficial of our university who will determinewhether the degree received from the foreignuniversity is the equivalent of an undergraduatedegree from an accredited university in the U.s. Assoon as this determination is made, the applicantwill be notified. An official Test of English as aForeign Language (TOEFL) score report showingproficiency in English must also be submitted priorto admission. The applicant must score at least 550on the TOEFL.AdMissions ProcessTexas Tech Law School operates an early actionadmissions policy. Applications meeting the earlyaction admissions criteria and received after theSeptember 1starting date are reviewed whencomplete and acceptance decisions are made within3 weeks. Other application decisions are deferreduntil after February 2. During February, March, andApril the committee reviews these files and makesacceptance decisions. Applicants are notified asthese decisions are made by the committee.When the committee believes sufficient acceptanceshave been received to complete the enteringclass, those applicants not selected will be notified.Asmall group of applicants may be asked if theywish to be placed on awaiting list if openings occur.Applicants are encouraged to apply as early aspossible to insure their files are complete and readyfor consideration by the committee early in thedecision-making process.Applicants applying after February 2will beconsidered for admission but should understandthat their chances of selection are somewhatdiminished. Late files will be fully considered afterthe regular applicant pool is reviewed.While considerable weight is placed on theapplicant's LSAT score and grade-point average, inmaking its admissions decisions, the committeelooks beyond the quantitative data to such factorsas background, experience, extracurricular activitiesand interests, and evidence of leadership qualities.• DepositEach accepted applicant is required to pay a $200deposit to hold a place in the entering class. Thisacceptance deposit will be refunded to the applicantupon matriculation at the Law School. One-hall ofthe deposit is refundable upon timely written notice ofachange in plans. Such notice is due May 1for falladmission. Applicants who fail to submit the $200acceptance deposit by the date specified in theacceptance letter will forfeit their place in theentering class.Application EvaluationThe Law School Admission Test score and thecumulative grade-point average are equaUy importantin determining admission. However, theAdmissions Committee also considers several otherfactors when evaluating the LSAT score, the GPA,and the qualitative elements bearing on admissionsdecisions.• Undergraduate GradesWhile the cumulative GPA is used to categorizethe application on review, the progression (orregression) of grades over the fOUf years is consideredin weighing the GPA. Thus, the student whosejunior and senior leveJ performance evidences highquality may compete favorably with other applicants.Also, the difficulty of the undergraduateacademic program is noted.• Graduate WorkGraduate transcripts submitted with theapplication are reviewed and, depending upon thequality of the work, may enhance the application. Itis recognized that applicants may have severalreasons for deciding to attend graduate school priorto applying for law school. li by taking a graduatedegree the applicant is attempting to show that amediocre undergraduate record is not truly representativeof his or her academic ability, it is essentialthat the graduate record demonstrate outstandingperformance. Graduate work is only one of thefactors considered in evaluating an application.Consequently, attending graduate school for thesole purpose of securing entrance to law school isnot recommended. In any event, if graduate workis being contemplated, the applicant should pursuea graduate course of study which will enhanceother career opportunities as well as his or her lawschool application.• Repeat LSAT ScoresThe LSAT may be retaken. In deciding whetherto retake the LSAT, the applicant should considerwhether some element such as illness reduced his orher ability to perform up to potential on the test andwhether the score is reasonably comparable to pastperformances on other standardized tests. Thesecond test score is averaged with the first score. Itshould be noted that while it is common for theapplicant to improve the !.SAT score on retake, alesser score on the second test is not rare. Consequently,there is some risk in the retake.• Work and Military ExperienceEmployment or military assignments, particularlythose experiences evidencing maturity orproviding a background which could be helpful to alawyer, are considered in the application review.• Writing SampleThe LSAT writing sample is considered by theAdmissions Committee.• Other FadorsIn addition, the Admissions Committee willconsider the following factors: the socioeconomicbackground of the applicant, including the percentageby which the applicant's family is above or belowany recognized measure of poverty, the appli-eant'shousehold income, and the applicant's parents'level of education; whether the applicant would bethe first generation of the applicant's family toattend or graduate from an institution; whether theapplicant has bilingual proficiency; the applicant'sresponsibilities while previously attending school,including whether the applicant has been employed,whether the applicant has helped to raise children,or similar factors; the applicant's region of residence;whether the applicant is a resident of a rural or urbanarea or a resident of acentral city or suburban areain the state; the applicant's performance on theLSAT in comparison with that of other students fromsimilar socioeconomic backgrounds; the applicant'sinvolvement in community activities; the applicant'sextracurricular activities; the applicant's admissionto a comparable accredited out-of-state institution;and any other consideration the School of Lawdeems necessary to accomplish its stated mission.• New InformationAny time an applicant provides the law schoolwith new information regarding questions 11-15 on
Page 1 and 2: SCHOOL OFCATALOG1998-1999BULLETIN O
Page 4 and 5: 4 Profile of the Law School 5The Sc
Page 8 and 9: The University Community Curriculum
Page 10 and 11: 16 17PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY 60
Page 14 and 15: 24the application, the application
Page 16 and 17: 29Christian Legal SacletyThe Christ
Page 19 and 20: 34FeesTo enable students to estimat
Page 21 and 22: 39Tom and Lisa Hall Scholal1ihip (g
Page 23 and 24: 42SlaHAdministntive Sb1f. (&om left
Page 25 and 26: 46 47CUMMINS EISSINGER FLOYD FORTNE
Page 27 and 28: 50 51ZANGLEINBRIAN D. SHANNONProfes
Page 29 and 30: ---------Common Questions About the

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