Legal Environment,
8th Edition

Unit 1: THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT.
1. Introduction to Law.
2. Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.
3. Dispute Resolution
4. Common Law, Statutory Law, and Administrative Law.
5. Constitutional Law.
6. Torts and Product Liability.
7. Privacy and Internet Law
8. Crime.
9. International Law.
Unit 2: Contracts and the UCC.
10. Introduction to Contracts.
11. Legality, Consent, and Writing.
12. Performance, Discharge, and Remedies.
13. Practical Contracts.
14. The UCC: Sales and Secured Transactions.
15. Negotiable Instruments.
16. Bankruptcy.
Unit 3: Agency and Employment Law.
17. Agency Law.
18. Employment and Labor Law.
19. Employment Discrimination.
Unit 4: Business Organizations.
20. Starting a Business: LLCs and Other Options.
21. Corporations.
22. Securities Regulation.
Unit 5: Government Regulation and Property.
23. Antitrust.
24. Intellectual Property.
25. Property.
26. Consumer Protection.
27. Environmental Law.
Appendix A: The Constitution of the U.S.
Appendix B: The UCC.
Appendix C: Answer Key for Selected End-of-Chapter Questions.

• Jeffrey F. Beatty

  Jeffrey F. Beatty earned his B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and J.D. from Boston University. He has practiced law at Greater Boston Legal Services, where he has represented indigent clients. Professor Beatty has earned The Metcalf Cup and Prize, Boston University’s highest teaching award. In addition to his legal research and writings, Professor Beatty has written both plays and television scripts that have been performed in Boston, London and Amsterdam.

• Susan S. Samuelson

  Susan S. Samuelson earned her A.B. and J.D. from Harvard University. She has practiced corporate law with Choate, Hall and Stewart. Professor Samuelson has earned the Broderick Prize for excellence in teaching at the Questrom School. A highly respected legal professional, she has written numerous articles on legal issues for scholarly and popular journals, including the American Business Law Journal, Ohio State Law Journal, Boston University Law Review, Harvard Journal on Legislation, National Law Journal, Sloan Management Review, Inc. Magazine and Boston Magazine.

• Patricia Abril

  Patricia Sánchez Abril earned her B.A. from Duke University and J.D. from Harvard Law School. She has practiced law with Hunton & Williams, LLP as well as Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Professor Abril has been awarded the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, Distinguished Junior Faculty Award and Outstanding Proceedings, the Hoeber Memorial Award for Excellence in Research and the University of Miami Faculty Senate Outstanding Teaching Award. Professor Abril’s research has appeared in numerous professional and scholarly journals, such as the American Business Law Journal, Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, Florida Law Review, Houston Law Review, Wake Forest Law Review and Columbia Business Law Journal.

• NEW CONTENT ON CONSTITUTIONAL LAW ADDRESSES LGBTQ CIVIL RIGHTS. The authors apply their years of law practice to discuss the challenges, conflicts and progress surrounding today's LGBTQ civil rights.

• NEW MATERIAL ON INTERNATIONAL LAW DISCUSSES EU'S RECENT PRIVACY LAWS, NEW AGREEMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES. This edition examines the worldwide impact and effects of the EU's sweeping privacy laws on the internet. New content also examines NAFTA 2.0: The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In addition, students study best practices for creating international contracts.

• NEW DISCUSSION ON NEGLIGENCE EXAMINES A UNIVERSITY’S DUTY OF CARE TO ITS STUDENTS. The authors present this topic of personal interest to students as new content examines the legal implications of recent legislation that states a university has a duty to take reasonable steps to ensure the physical and mental health, safety and well-being of staff and students.

• NEW CONTENT DISCUSSES RECENT LEGAL RULING AND LEGAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO PRIVACY. Engaging new information details the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. Students also examine Google and Facebook’s privacy challenges and review legislation regarding revenge porn.

• EXPANDED COVERAGE OF AGREEMENTS HIGHLIGHTS ONLINE AGREEMENTS AND THEIR ENFORCEABILITY. This edition devotes additional content to examining click wrap, browse wrap and hybrid wrap agreements on the internet today as well as the rapidly developing laws behind them.

• NEW CONTENT ADDRESSES LEGAL ISSUES SURROUNDING MARIJUANA TODAY. Students examine the legality of marijuana and the enforcement of marijuana contracts.

• NEW INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTS TRENDS AND LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT LAW AND DISCRIMINATION. This latest content presents new laws governing Covid-19 in the workplace. Students also examine the emerging trend of fair workweek laws, #MeToo in the workplace and new rules on parental leaves. In addition, new material examines discrimination based on appearance: attractiveness, weight, hair and parental status.

• NEW INFORMATION IN BANKRUPTCY PROVIDES ADDITIONAL LEGAL INFORMATION RELATED TO STUDENTS LOANS. Another topic of inherent interest to college students today, this edition offers updated content and an enhanced section that explores the legal aspects of today's student loans.

• NEW COVERAGE ADDRESSES THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) ISSUES. Updated content presents a new movement that calls on companies to consider not only the interests of their shareholders, but also broader societal interests. Content on board diversity highlights a new law in California that sets a quota for women directors.

• NEW INFORMATION ON SECURITIES PREVIEWS DIRECT LISTINGS AND THEIR LEGAL IMPLICATIONS. Students examine the legal issues related to this latest trend in public offerings from today's tech companies.

• NEW COVERAGE EXAMINES THE LATEST ANTITRUST ISSUES FACING TECH COMPANIES. Students examine the regulatory threats and antitrust laws surrounding many of today's tech giants.

• NEW COVERAGE IN CONSUMER LAW EXAMINES LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO ONLINE PAYMENT OPTIONS. Students review emerging legal issues consumers today face when using Venmo, Google Pay or Apple Pay.

• NEW CONTENT ADDRESSES CASES AND RULINGS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW. New material examines fuel efficiency rules, climate change and two new Supreme Court cases on the Superfund program and wastewater treatment.

• NEW DISCUSSIONS HIGHLIGHT RECENT DECISIONS ON IMMORAL OR SCANDALOUS MARKS IN CURRENT TRADEMARK LAW. Students review the Supreme Court's recent strike down of the ban on scandalous trademarks and the related legal issues.

• NEW CONTENT WITHIN THE DISCUSSION ON ESTATE PLANNING EXAMINES E-WILLS. New discussions review the pros, cons, recent legal decisions and implications surrounding e-wills today.

• ENGAGING CONTENT ENCOURAGES MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION AND RETENTION. The authors have carefully crafted a reader-friendly presentation filled with stories that your students will enjoy reading. This intriguing presentation also draws students into memorable class discussions.

• RELEVANT CONTENT INSPIRES ACTIVE STUDENT PARTICIPATION AND MOTIVATION TO LEARN. With this book's relevant and meaningful content, your students see the importance of studying today's legal environment and become better prepared to negotiate contracts, join the workforce, start companies and invest in businesses.

• EMPHASIS ON ETHICS PREPARES STUDENTS FOR DIFFICULT LEGAL AND BUSINESS DECISIONS. Students become engaged and master important skills as they analyze ethical quandaries that are interesting and relevant to their world. Ethical questions threaded throughout the text prompt students to understand the important relationship between today's legal issues and ethics.

• LEARNING FEATURES AND CONTENT HELP STUDENTS MASTER MATERIAL AND REFINE CRITICAL SKILLS. This authoritative, yet highly understandable content with proven learning features helps students prepare for exams and engage in meaningful class discussions while strengthening critical thinking skills.

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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