Focus is on federal and state anti-discrimination statutes, including Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Reconstruction Era Civil Rights Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Maine Human Rights and Whistleblower Protection Act. The four major categories of discriminatory treatment are explored, including the type of evidence, burden of proof, defenses, and litigation strategy applicable to each. Administrative procedures specific to employment discrimination claims are also covered. In addition to substantive law, this course emphasizes practical considerations for advising and representing clients in employment disputes. This course explores the causes of environmental degradation, the alternative legal regimes available to prevent or ameliorate it, and the role of the Congress, the courts, the agencies and the states in these regimes.
Enrollment is limited.
An introduction to research tools, methods and materials used to address environmental law issues. Research and writing assignments in statutory and regulatory interpretation and drafting of pleadings. This course is a study of the statutory, common law and constitutional principles governing regulation of toxic substances and the environment. The course will review federal and Maine law, and will explore the constitutional issues of preemption and commerce clause restrictions which frequently come into play when states and municipal governments seek to regulate this area. Students will also have an opportunity to explore practical problems of toxics litigation, including use of experts and technical data, and the selection of appropriate remedies and issues for litigation.