LAW 307 - Government Independent Counsel

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This course will explore, in depth, the institution of the government independent counsel from Teapot Dome, to Watergate, Iran-Contra, Whitewater and the current Russian hacking investigations. It will also explore the history of and the constitutional legal basis for the independent counsel, as well as the special separation of powers problems posed by their appointment and supervision, the conflicts encountered during parallel congressional probes (including complications arising from invocation of the Fifth Amendment) and the novel legal issues presented by investigating and charging an incumbent President (and collateral issues arising from the pardon power).