Administrative Law

Profs Funk/Johnston - Course Description

Administrative law is the law relating to administrative agencies. It includes constitutional law (especially separation of powers and procedural due process), Federal statutory law (especially the Administrative Procedure Act), and state statutory law (for example, Oregon's Administrative Procedure Act). Study of administrative law focuses on the activities of government agencies—from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Social Security Administration, from the Federal Trade Commission to the National Labor Relations Board. The validity of their actions depends on compliance with administrative law. Thus, lawyers for agencies, regulated industries, and public interest groups are vitally concerned with administrative law. Much of their practice both as litigants and advisors involves administrative law. Fourteen states, including Oregon, test Administrative Law on their bar exams. This course uses a problem orientation to stress practical application of administrative law. There is a final exam with short objective questions and a longer problem question. If there is a large class, students may opt to take a multiple choice exam instead.

Professor Neuman - Course Description

Administrative agencies at the federal, state and local level execute laws affecting almost every sphere of human endeavor—e.g., disbursing benefits, regulating labor relations, enforcing pollution standards, and licensing professionals. This course explores: sources and limits of agency authority; procedures agencies must use in investigation, rulemaking, and adjudication; and availability and scope of judicial review of agency actions. We do not focus on the substantive law of any particular agency but rather on principles and procedures common to all agencies, derived in large part from federal and state administrative procedure acts (APAs) and constitutions. Fourteen states, including Oregon, test Administrative Law on their bar exams. This course uses a problem orientation to stress practical application of administrative law. Course evaluation is primarily by a final exam, but also includes 2-3 short research projects during the semester.

Professor Powers

Administrative law is the law relating to administrative agencies. It includes constitutional law (especially separation of powers and procedural due process), Federal statutory law (especially the Administrative Procedure Act), and state statutory law (for example, Oregon's Administrative Procedure Act). The validity of government agencies’ actions depends on compliance with administrative law. Thus, lawyers for agencies, regulated industries, and public interest groups are vitally concerned with administrative law. Fourteen states, including Oregon, test Administrative Law on their bar exams. This course explores: sources and limits of agency authority; procedures agencies must use in investigation, rulemaking, and adjudication; and availability and scope of judicial review of agency actions. The course uses a problem orientation to stress practical application of administrative law. Course evaluation is primarily by a final exam, but also includes 2-3 short research projects during the semester.