What is a transactional lawyer?
A transactional lawyer represents clients in a wide variety of matters in which parties are transacting business. Examples include real estate purchases, leases, and sales; mergers and acquisitions; commercial lending; intellectual property licenses and transfers; investment and capital-raising transactions; formation of business entities; negotiation of employment agreements; administration of employee benefit plans; and other business matters.
How might the Certificate help me in seeking employment?
Identifying your pursuit or receipt of the Certificate on your resume and in your cover letter will indicate to prospective employers that you are serious about a career in transactional law and are gaining doctrinal knowledge and practical skills that will allow you to step into a transaction with the necessary building blocks for practice already established. Employers typically appreciate experience in drafting and reviewing contracts and organizational documents, analyzing and documenting approvals, and other skills and tasks involved in Contract Drafting and Deal Skills.
I missed my Transactional Law Advising Meeting. Does that mean that I am not in the Program?
No. Once you complete your application, you are enrolled in the Program. However, it is incumbent upon you to take the courses necessary to earn the Certificate.
Where can I find the Transactional Law Certificate's course requirements?
Will I receive priority registration for non-Doing Deals classes like Partnership Tax, Corporate Tax, and Corporate Finance?
No. Transactional Law Certificate students only receive priority registration for courses that begin with the words "Doing Deals." Please check the
registrar’s website for the registration schedule and your registration window.
May I take Doing Deals courses using pass/fail credits?
Yes, so long as you comply with school policy regarding the use of pass/fail credits. If you pass the course, you will receive credit toward the Certificate.
May I take non-Doing Deals courses required for the Transactional Law Certificate using pass/fail credits?
Yes, so long as you comply with school policy regarding the use of pass/fail credits. If you pass the course, you will receive credit toward the Certificate.
I took an accounting course in undergrad. Do I still have to take Doing Deals: Accounting in Action?
If you took and passed an accounting course at an accredited college or university, you may request a waiver of the accounting requirement by emailing your unofficial transcript to
kelli.pittman@emory.edu.
Is there a deadline for submitting an accounting waiver request?
We accept accounting waiver requests on a rolling basis, but graduating 3Ls must submit their requests by the graduation application deadline (see the
academic calendar for the specific date.)
How will I know if my accounting waiver request is approved or denied?
You will receive an email notifying you of your status. Approved requests will also be reflected in your Degree Tracker Audit.
Can I receive a waiver for Analytical Methods?
No. We only grant waivers for the Doing Deals: Accounting in Action course.
May I take an accounting course at the Business school to qualify for a waiver of Doing Deals: Accounting in Action?
Yes, but please notify the Center of your intent before enrolling because you will still need to submit a waiver request. You will need to work with the registrar’s office to identify a course available for law student enrollment.
May I take more than one capstone course, either sequentially or at the same time? For example, if I want to take both M&A and Commercial Lending in the fall, is that allowed?
Yes, you can take more than one capstone course, either sequentially or during the same semester. There is no limit to the number of Capstone courses you may take.
I have an externship in which I’m doing transactional work. Will that count toward my Certificate?
If your externship is through the
Emory Law Externship Program and is primarily transactional in nature, we will accept it in lieu of a capstone course. Please email a brief description of your externship duties to the Center with a request for capstone credit.
If I have been granted capstone credit for a transactional externship, am I prohibited from taking a Doing Deals capstone course?
No. You may take a capstone course in addition to performing a transactional externship, so long you meet the capstone course requirements.
I am a dual degree student enrolled in the Transactional Law Certificate Program. Are there special registration requirements for me?
Please contact the registrar’s office to ensure you have completed any required paperwork and consult with them regarding your registration process. You will be eligible for priority enrollment in Doing Deals courses with other Certificate students, and based on your scheduling restrictions, we will prioritize your enrollment in capstone course preselection.
What is the enrollment deadline for the Certificate Program?
The Transactional Law Certificate Program accepts applications on a rolling basis but closes a week or two before registration to coordinate priority registration for Doing Deals classes with the registrar’s office.
Please watch On the Docket for announcements regarding closure of the enrollment window. The application typically reopens after the Open Enrollment 1 window.
How can I keep track of my progress toward the Certificate?
Your progress toward the Certificate will be captured on your Degree Tracker Audit. Please remember to check OPUS/Degree Tracker regularly for updates on your status and contact the Center if you have questions.
Can anyone take Contract Drafting, Deal Skills, and other Doing Deals courses, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the Transactional Law Program?
Yes. Anyone who meets the pre-requisites and co-requisites for Doing Deals classes may enroll; however, registration priority is given to Transactional Law Program participants before Doing Deals seats are released to non-participants.
I would like to withdraw from the Certificate Program. Who should I contact?
While we hate to see you go, we understand that transactional law may not be of interest to all law students. You may email
kelli.pittman@emory.edu to withdraw from the Program.
How can I participate in the Transactional Law Negotiation Team? Do I need to be enrolled in the Transactional Law Certificate Program?
Tryouts for the team are held in the fall semester and are open to JD, LLM, SJD, and dual-degree students other than 1Ls. Enrollment in the Certificate Program is not required. Tryout announcements are published in
On the Docket. Students invited to join the team will be required to enroll in a 1-credit pass-fail course in the following spring semester to prepare them for competitions.