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William H. Widen has been a professor of law at the University of Miami School of Law since 2001.
He regularly teaches Contracts to first year law students and sometimes Commercial Law/Secured Transactions to upper division students. In prior years, he has taught Elements of Law to first year law students, Business Associations to upper division students and Introduction to United States Law to international LLM students. He has occasionally offered a small class or seminar, generally on a business related topic.
His current research focuses on laws and regulations governing autonomous vehicles. This interdisciplinary work has appeared in both law reviews and as co-authored essays in technical journals. Before joining the legal academy, Professor Widen was a corporate partner in the New York office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore where he practiced for 17 years--focusing on corporate law, secured lending and structured finance.
Office Hours
Professor Widen holds informal "office hours" on the Bricks after most class meetings, as announced to students from time to time during class. A student may make an appointment for a meeting at a separate time with his faculty assistant: Ms. Claire Amador. All student meetings must be scheduled through Ms. Amador (other than a meeting during the informal office hours).
Discussion Sessions
Professor Widen often holds optional discussion sessions beginning approximately 45 minutes before most class meetings, as indicated on the class calendar and announced to students from time to time during class. These discussion sessions generally focus on problems posted to Blackboard in advance. These optional sessions are particularly important when the course does not have a Dean's Fellow assigned to it (as in the case of fall 2024).
Grades
The primary method of assessment will be a final exam at the end of the course, which will be closed book, closed notes, and blind graded. Though a student's final grade for the course will be primarily based on final exam performance, Professor Widen reserves the right to adjust grades up or down by a half-grade (e.g., B to B+) to reflect extraordinary contributions to class discussion or, in the alternative, extraordinary disinterest. Between 5 and 15 percent of the final grade will be based on performance on periodic quizzes and other exercises posted to Blackboard from time to time. Though getting the answers "right" on these quizzes and exercises is important, the primary reason for these assignments is to facilitate learning and provide feedback. Consistent failure to complete these assignments in a timely manner will result in a grade reduction.
Attendance
Each student must log his or her attendance in Blackboard upon arrival in class. Class attendance is mandatory, as is preparation. Class discussion is crucial for understanding of the materials. If a student has more than three unexcused absences, Professor Widen may lower your grade for the course by at least half a grade. If a student forgets to log attendance for a class, or believes an excused absence is appropriate, the student must raise the issue with Professor Widen's assistant, Ms. Claire Amador who is the custodian of attendance records.
Seating
Please note that Professor Widen will distribute name cards ["tent cards"] which students should display in front of them during class. Though there is no formal "seating chart", Professor Widen expects students to find a convenient location to sit, and then consistently sit in that location, with the name card displayed, to facilitate class discussions. You must have your name card displayed to receive credit for class participation. Ms. Claire Amador will prepare a new name card for any student to include a preferred form of address if a student so requests.
Honor Code, Academic Integrity & AI
All work submitted by students must be their own work--performed in accordance with the Law School's Honor Code. The use of AI large language models (such as ChatGPT), in producing (writing) academic work for this course, including papers, exams, and other assignments, is prohibited unless expressly identified in writing by Professor Widen as an appropriate resource for the academic work or exam.
Where the use of AI is permitted, content composed by any resource other than the student must be attributed through proper citation. Students may be required to provide the source and the specific generative AI outputs relied upon, so students should keep a record of interactions with generative AI for coursework. If not expressly identified in writing by the professor, any use of large language model AI will be considered plagiarizing, cheating, and/or the utilization of unauthorized materials and will be subject to disciplinary action subject to sanctions in accordance with the Law School’s Honor Code.
Deportment
Professor Widen welcomes class participation but talking – even whispering – to the person next to you is a different matter. It is very disturbing not only to the instructor but to other students around you. Please refrain from doing so, even if it is about class-related materials. Stop talking 30 seconds prior to the start time for the class. Professor Widen should not need to tell students to quiet down. You would not act that way in a courtroom. If a mid-session class break is taking, please make every effort to return to class at the alloted time. Often Professor Widen gives a 5 minute break at the midpoint of a class session.
Electronics in Class
Phones, recording devices and similar equipment may not be used in class. Phones must be placed in silent or vibrate mode. Laptops may be used solely to log attendance, and to look at course materials in electronic form--whether on Blackboard, Westlaw or versions of laws posted on the internet. Students may use a laptop or tablet to take notes but Professor Widen strongly recommends that students take notes with a pen or pencil and a notebook. This method avoids the student focusing on transcription rather than following the discussion and analysis.
Arriving Late
Please make every effort to arrive to class on time. Professor Widen understands that on occasion traffic delays and the like may make a student late for the beginning of the class. In that event, please enter from the back of the classroom and as quietly as possible. If a student is repeatedly late for class, they should speak to Ms. Claire Amador about resolving the problem; otherwise, the student should expect an inquiry from Professor Widen or the Dean of Students.
Leaving Early
Once in class, the student must stay in the classroom, unless (a) Ms. Claire Amador has given permission to leave during class, or (b) there is an emergency. If a student must leave during class because of an emergency, please leave as quietly and unobtrusively as possible through the back door. The reason for this rule is that it is very disruptive to have people leaving and entering the classroom during class: Under no circumstances should a student leave during the last five minutes of class unless to address a medical condition, or some other emergency presents itself.
Take Care of One Another
Law school can be a very stressful experience. Much is new and unfamiliar. If you have concerns about your personal wellbeing or that of a classmate, please reach out to Student Affairs at deanofstudents@law.miami.edu or any of the resources listed on our wellbeing website (student.law.miami.edu/wellbeing). If you ever find yourself struggling to afford groceries or basic nutrition, please take advantage of our food pantry located in F205.
Accessibility
The University of Miami School of Law is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of our diverse student body. If you have a disability (including physical or mental health challenges) and need academic accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services via email at access@law.miami.edu. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive; students are encouraged to contact the office and inquire about any disability-related needs within the first weeks of the semester.
Title IX
The University of Miami seeks to maintain a safe learning, living, and working environment free from discrimination based upon gender or sex. This includes all types of sexual misconduct including but not limited to: Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault (including Sexual Battery), Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Harassment, and Stalking. This also includes protection from discrimination for pregnant students. For additional information about the University’s policies with respect to Title IX, including resources and reporting options, please visit www.miami.edu/titleix or contact the University’s Title IX Office at titleixcoordinator@miami.edu.
Cancel Culture & Respect
Particularly in a national election year, the student body can get anxious and concerned about the future of our country. Our society has developed the unfortunate habit of converting respectful discussions on the merits of issues into ad hominem attacks and shaming. Not only are such tactics no substitute for honest and good faith discussion, but they can leave hurt feelings and worse. This occurs when an advocate for one position suggests that a person who holds a different view is somehow morally bankrupt, a bad person, and so on. One can be committed and passionate about issues of great moment, but in law school we will address those issues with civility, decorum and respect. Conduct yourself as you would for a client before a judge.