How Law Made Big Business:

From the Colonial era, Americans needed legal solutions for the problems of government and commerce. Over time those solutions were repurposed and then reinvented to build what we now call "Corporate America". This class will explore historical factors that resulted in various business organizations. By considering economic, social and political realities, we will see how legal entities that had been used for government and charity were repurposed to make money. Tied to the reinvented legal culture were new ideas about risk, capital and responsibility. Through readings and class discussion, we will tell the story of how law helped American business get so big. Grading and Method of Evaluation: Letter grade only. In-class discussion and a paper.