Michael C. Dorf is the Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law at Cornell Law School, where he teaches courses in constitutional law and related subjects. He has authored or co-authored six books and over 100 scholarly articles and essays for law reviews, books, and peer-reviewed science and social science journals. Professor Dorf received his undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University. After law school, he served as a law clerk for Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and then for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the Supreme Court of the United States. Professor Dorf occasionally consults with leading law firms on complex litigation and maintains an active pro bono practice chiefly consisting of writing briefs in Supreme Court cases. Before joining the Cornell faculty in 2008, Professor Dorf taught at Rutgers-Camden Law School for three years and at Columbia Law School for 13 years. His essays for general audiences appear regularly on “Verdict,” “Take Care,” “SCOTUSblog,” and his blog, “Dorf on Law.”
Overview and Courses
This certificate program from Cornell Law School will provide you with an introduction to the U.S. legal system and how it operates in a business environment. Throughout the courses, you will discover how to make informed business decisions based on your understanding of legal language and concepts. You will have the opportunity to explore the specific functions of different bodies of law and determine how to harness them by planning a legal compliance strategy. Examining each step of the litigation process, you’ll develop the ability to analyze whether using litigation is the best path to resolve your business conflicts. Beyond the litigation, you’ll also explore the limitations of judicial and regulatory power, how they may protect your business interests, and when you should find alternative protections for a specific business case. By the end of this certificate program, you will be able to navigate legal ambiguity, find the best way to collaborate with legal counsel, and assess the costs and benefits of pursuing various legal options.
The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.
Course list
- Jan 29, 2025
- Apr 23, 2025
- Jul 16, 2025
- Oct 8, 2025
- Dec 31, 2025
Before you decide to pursue the legal option to resolve your business challenge, it is important to familiarize yourself with the sources and enforcement mechanisms of law that are most likely to affect your situation. In this course, you will explore the specific functions of different bodies of law and discover how to harness them by planning a legal compliance strategy. You will also examine the court structure to help you decide which legal authorities would serve you best in resolving your business conflicts. Finally, you will analyze the risks and strategies for foreign business by taking into consideration foreign legal systems and their unique mechanisms.
You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- Thinking Like a Lawyer
- Feb 12, 2025
- May 7, 2025
- Jul 30, 2025
- Oct 22, 2025
When turning to litigation as a means to resolve business conflicts, you should be aware of the advantages and risks that the litigation process entails. In this course, you will acquire tools that will help you decide whether you should follow the litigative route and examine how to gain the most out of the process. Based on your specific issue, you will discover how to identify the most appropriate court for your litigation process. You will practice how to evaluate the comprehensive cost of litigation and study tactics that help you decide whether to appeal a court decision. In addition, you will explore potential circumstances where litigation is not the most effective option and consider other alternatives.
You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- Thinking Like a Lawyer
- Sources of Law
- Feb 26, 2025
- May 21, 2025
- Aug 13, 2025
- Nov 5, 2025
Your business interests might be in conflict with judicial power and regulation. This course will focus on navigating circumstances where the law limits your interests. You will explore ways to apply legal tools to challenge judicial enforcement that limits your interests. You will also identify the best legal forum in which to follow your judicial challenge. You will practice applying constitutional protections against regulations. By the end of this course, you will be able to analyze a case that highlights the economic consequences of limiting freedom of speech.
You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- Thinking Like a Lawyer
- Sources of Law
- Litigation
- Mar 12, 2025
- Jun 4, 2025
- Aug 27, 2025
- Nov 19, 2025
How It Works
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Faculty Author
Key Course Takeaways
- Speak and understand the basic language of the law
- Determine the sources and enforcement mechanisms of law that are most relevant to the business problem at hand
- Partner effectively with counsel in evaluating situations that may involve litigation
- Identify opportunities to litigate or avoid litigation
Download a Brochure
Not ready to enroll but want to learn more? Download the certificate brochure to review program details.
What You'll Earn
- Legal Essentials Certificate from Cornell Law School
- 40 Professional Development Hours (4.0 CEUs)
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Who Should Enroll
- Business leaders looking to better understand legal issues
- Founders and entrepreneurs
- Anyone looking to work effectively with legal professionals
- Professionals in highly regulated industries
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“Cornell Law’s certificate programs are worth it! I learned a lot in a very short amount of time. The structure gave me a great amount of flexibility to do the work, and it was easy to fit into my super busy schedule. Great experience!”
“Cornell Law’s program helped me do a better job in my current position AND helped me advance in my career. The courses do a great job of walking you through high-level and mid-level legal concepts — which has been beneficial for both my professional and my personal life.”
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Legal Essentials
| Select Payment Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| $3,900 | |