Deals II
This course applies economic concepts to the practice of structuring contracts. The course extends over two quarters, meeting three hours per week the first quarter and two hours per week the second quarter. Students enrolled in the course must take both quarters. All or most of the first quarter is spent in a traditional classroom setting, discussing economics articles and case studies of actual contracts that illustrate the concepts described in the articles. Beginning either at the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter until the end of the course (the "deals" segment of the course), the class explores the connection between economic theory and contracting practice by studying specific current deals. Students, divided into groups, study a deal beginning in the first quarter. Then, during the deals segment of the course, each group gives a presentation of its deal to the class. The following week, a lawyer or other participant in the deal will come to class and lead a discussion of the deal. When it works, the students' and the practitioners' analyses are mutually enlightening. The course examines new deals each year. Deals that studied over the years have included movie financings, biotech alliances, venture capital financings, cross-border joint ventures, private equity investments, and corporate reorganizations.