Judicial Behavior

Profs. Lee Epstein and D. Klerman
May 2026

Grades

We’ll base your grades on class attendance and participation (about 70%) and two short essays (15% each).

For the essays, please select two of the papers that will be presented during our course and write a critique of each paper designed to help the author(s) improve it. Papers are posted here. (Note: Prof. Zamir will integrate three papers into one presentation. You may select one of his papers for one of your essays.)

Your essay should (1) very briefly summarize the paper, (2) analyze its strengths and weaknesses, and (3) suggest ways the author could improve the paper to address any weaknesses.

Each essay should be no longer than 3 pages, double spaced with 1-inch margins, using a 12-point serif font (such as Times New Roman). Your essays are due by Monday, June 1, 2026 by Noon Israeli time. Please email your essays to both of us: Prof. Epstein (epstein@wustl.edu) and Prof. Klerman (dklerman@law.usc.edu).