Resources > House-Sitter
House-Sitter
Jim Hilbert
This is an introductory-level transactional scenario focused on negotiating and drafting a short house-sitting agreement. The exercise is designed to introduce all of the major aspects of transactional lawyering: client relationship management, negotiation and drafting (with some revising). The basic premise is straightforward (and a bit whimsical). A homeowner, who owns four cats and a piano, would like to hire a law student to housesit and perform other small tasks (like take care of the cats). Typically, the students will play the attorneys for the homeowner and house sitter and negotiate and draft an agreement. Faculty members usually play the clients (Ortega, the homeowner and Robinson, the house sitter). The scenario is designed for use during class (between two and two and half hours, with breaks and de-brief).
House-Sitter: Instructor Notes & Background (PDF)
House-Sitter: Guidelines for Faculty Clients (PDF)
House-Sitter: Homeowner’s Attorney (PDF)
House-Sitter: House Sitter’s Attorney (PDF)