LAW 0570: Accounting for Lawyers
Fall 2022 • Section 21 • CRN 25053

Course Description

Lawyers today routinely encounter financial information in varied settings, including in both transactional and litigation contexts. Lawyers with a good understanding of basic accounting are at an advantage in diverse legal practice settings. The accounting topics covered in this course are essential for lawyers who plan to work in a variety of transactional, regulatory, litigation, and other contexts. This course introduces basic principles of accounting with a focus on the practical importance of accounting for lawyers. This course will focus on preparing students to become knowledgeable consumers of financial information, as well as understand the implications of common uses and misuses of financial information. This course will cover a range of topics, including fundamental principles of accounting, accounting treatment for assets, liabilities, capital, income and expense accounts, preparation and analysis of financial reports, time value of money, valuation, and auditing, with attention to the role of lawyers in accounting contexts. This course will not have an exam. Students will complete problems sets, give class presentations on accounting related topics, and complete assigned class writings or a class project. Students with prior coursework in accounting will need Professor Arewa’s prior permission to enroll in this course.

Book List/Materials