This course is an introduction to the basic legal rules and principles governing the relations among managers, shareholders, and (to a lesser extent) creditors in the business enterprise. The course is the foundation for advanced business courses. We focus on problems that arise because a firm's managers and shareholders can have conflicting interests. We examine the costs associated with this conflict and how markets, legal rules, and contracts address them. Elements used in grading: Class participation, attendance, written assignments, final exam.
4 units · Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
This course is an introduction to the basic legal rules and principles governing the relations among managers, shareholders, and (to a lesser extent) creditors in the business enterprise. The course is the foundation for advanced business courses. We focus on problems that arise because a firm's managers and shareholders can have conflicting interests. We examine the costs associated with this conflict and how markets, legal rules, and contracts address them. Elements used in grading: Class participation, attendance, written assignments, final exam.
Offered in Spring 2026 at Stanford University.