Welcome to the Department of Business Law

About Business Law...

Welcome to the homepage of the Department of Business Law. For BSBA Business Law students, our mission is to equip students with the academic knowledge, problem solving, analytical and professional skills in the areas of business law, business ethics, and real estate necessary to achieve their personal and professional goals. All of our faculty are accomplished attorneys who are committed to teaching. We are dedicated to the success of our students, and our program is designed to prepare students for careers in business, public service and professional practice.

Recent Faculty Publications

CSUN in DC Internship Program

August 22, 2019

Spring 2020 Information Sessions - Weeks 1 and 2

The CSUN in DC Internship Program is an opportunity for students to live, work, and learn in Washington, D.C. for the entire Spring semester. Students earn 12-15 units during the semester which means participation can even help them to graduate on time. Students intern with members of Congress, with agencies, with non-profits, with advocacy organizations, with private firms, or with museums or embassies. There are a lot of great opportunities and we work with them to get them placed in the internship that is right for their goals and plans. We also have funds available to help subsidize the costs for students so if they want to do this but are worried about the cost, they should come learn more because we can help them to make it work financially! Read more

Research by Business Law Professor, Melanie Williams, Shows that Peer-Assisted Learning Techniques Improve Student Learning

August 12, 2019

When exam time arrives, it’s not uncommon to see students gather in groups in the hallways of CSUN campus buildings or at the Delmar T. Oviatt Library for last-minute cram sessions. Throughout the semester, students may have questions about a quiz or may not understand the homework. Thankfully, peer tutors are there to help.

“Students feel less intimidated asking questions from a peer than asking a professor,” Williams said. “Such self-disclosure can lead to more opportunities for teachers to provide meaningful help.” Read more

Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards! Congratulations Amy Barnes and...

May 16, 2019

Every year, a handful of students get special recognition for their outstanding academic achievement in their major or minor. We appreciate, celebrate and honor these students: Business Law majors: Amy Barnes, Binuri Fonseka, Nazaneen Iravani, Jordan Khajerian, Andrea Magana, Max Moshkovich, Michael Shaheen, and Kamilia Torres. Real Estate Major: Stephanie Villa. Business Law minors: Thania Fuentes, Solair Kharadjian, Stephanie Lamb, Tyler Lofftus, Caitlin Murphy, & Noam Namir. Real Estate minors: Laurie Abbou & Kyle Waldrop. Read more

Professors Ray Calnan, Deborah Cours & Melanie Stallings Williams publish research showing the value of real-life consulting projects for real estate students

May 16, 2019

A recent study by CSUN Professors Ray Calnan, Deborah Cours and Melanie Stallings Williams shows how to enrich real estate programs by incorporating student consulting projects. Read more

Real Estate Student Stephanie Villa and team win Bull Ring Grand Prize

May 14, 2019

It’s a problem we’ve all faced: too many cups and too few cupholders. The solution came from Real Estate student Stephanie Villa along with her team, business students Bretiel Danipour, Jenna Flynn and Tammy Nguyen who developed an adjustable tray that molds to the shape of your car seat. Their invention won first place and the audience choice prize at CSUN’s Bull Ring New Venture Competition hosted by the David Nazarian College of Business & Economics’ Entrepreneurship Program.

Read more at http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/business/nospill-tray-for-delivery-drivers-captures-bull-ring-grand-prize/ Read more

Economists Use Auction Theory to Show Private Equity Firms Rigged the Bidding in Leveraged Buyouts at Expense of Shareholders

April 3, 2019

Professor Melanie Stallings Williams co-authored an article, “Masters of the Universe: Bid Rigging By Private Equity Firms in Multibillion Dollar LBOs,” for the University of Cincinnati Law Review that throws the spotlight on a rare class-action lawsuit in which the plaintiffs – shareholders in companies purchased – demonstrated that some of the world’s largest private equity firms unlawfully colluded to ensure that they held down prices on the companies they were bidding to buy.

“I don’t think people realize that when this happens, it’s our money, yours and mine, that’s involved,” Williams said. “Yes, some of the shareholders are monied people, but some of the shareholders are retirement funds and the type of mutual funds that your grandmother owns. These aren’t just rich people they are taking advantage of. It’s you, me and the people we care about.” Read more