LAWS 862 - Advanced Topics in Family Business Law
Class Session: Monday, December 16, 2024 - Friday, December 20, 2024
Credit: 1 semester hour of credit
Instructor: Spencer Burke
Term: Fall 2024
Course Description
At least one out of every three U.S. businesses are family owned. They are most often privately owned but there are also many publicly traded companies that are family controlled. Family businesses are distinctive because they require participants and their legal counsel to reconcile family roles and expectations with business roles and expectations and to address issues of control and governance for the business and the family. Depending on the instructor, topics covered may include the following: choice of business entity; the appropriate use of buy-sell agreements, voting trusts and other dispute resolution mechanisms; employment best practices for family and non-family members; the impact of business ownership on estate and financial planning for the family, including tax considerations; financing and capital structures unique to family enterprises; catalysts for the sale of the family business; the role of the family office in managing inter-generational wealth; ethical issues faced by lawyers in family-business representation; fiduciary responsibilities of board members and controlling shareholders; and preparing a family business for sale or intergenerational transfer.The course will be of particular interest to students interested in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, wealth management, estate and tax law, as well as students who come from or anticipate involvement in a family business.Basis of Grade: Class participation and final written project.Form of Grade: Letter.
College |
LS - Joseph F. Rice School of Law |
Level |
Law |
Section |
001 |
Instructional Method |
DWEBS 100% Web Synchronous |
CRN |
31285 |
Special Approval |
SC - School Permission |
Restrictions |
CAMPUSICOL - USC Columbia DEGREEIJD - Juris Doctor DEGREEILLB - Bachelor of Laws |
Information is accurate as of December 8, 2024 (Subject to change)
Special Fee Notification
Students may be required to be proctored during online test completion. If students are unable to attend test proctoring sessions in person at the Distributed Learning office, additional fees may apply for online test proctoring if the course requires online testing.