For the written response to the problem, I would encourage you to try to show that you can identify and explain the legal issue in the problem, tell me (briefly) what the relevant rule is (or factors that a court might consider), and apply the rule to the facts in the problem to arrive at a conclusion. As mentioned in class, I am not looking for the "correct" answer - there may not be a correct answer - but rather an explanation of how you would respond to the problem and then support your answer by referring to relevant legal principles and facts in the problem.

One way to think about this is via the "IRAC" method: Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion - meaning try to identify the legal issue, explain the general rule applicable to the legal issue, analyze the facts in light of the issue and rule, and then reach and support your conclusion based on the foregoing.

For most problems you should be able to answer in a page about I don't need you to restate the facts and I don't need you to copy the textbook - instead I want you to develop comfort with the legal issues and try to reach a conclusion.

For each problem, a complete answer will demonstrate your familiarity with the relevant legal principle(s) as applied to the facts set forth in the problem - so please:

identify the legal principle or issue,

explain the elements of that legal principle/concept (or the legal factors, test or considerations usually applied by courts to the issue), and

demonstrate how the facts in the problem support your analysis and conclusion.

If certain facts in the problem go against the position you take in your answer, please DO acknowledge what those facts are, but then explain why those problematic facts do not alter your conclusion or why you find other facts or principles more persuasive.

As always, I am most interested in how you address the legal issue(s) and principle(s) raised in the problem and find factual support for your position based on the facts in the problem.

Question 2: You are vice president of acquisitions for a medium-sized consumer food products company, Bon Vivant Foods Inc. The company's board of directors has given you authority to negotiate acquisitions of consumer food brands on behalf of Bon Vivant. The board has told you in written and oral instructions that you have the power to acquire any consumer products brand if the acquisition price is not greater than $30,000,000, which is the authority typically held by most vice presidents of acquisitions for businesses like yours.