Classes & Course Descriptions
Class registration dates and details on when these courses are offered can be found on our events calendar.
Human Rights and The Rule of Law
Taught by: Gary Haugen
Before founding International Justice Mission (IJM) in 1997, Gary Haugen was a human rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, where he focused on cases of police misconduct. In 1994, he served as Director of the United Nations’ investigation in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide. In this role, he led an international team of lawyers, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and forensic experts to gather evidence used to bring perpetrators to justice.
Drawing on this experience, Gary Haugen teaches this course exclusively at Caruso Law, offering students a rare opportunity to learn from a leader at the forefront of global justice work.
Anti-Trafficking Legislation Lab I and II
Taught by: Seth Bamburg and Kyle Smith
This practicum equips students to play a direct role in shaping legislation to combat human trafficking in California. Each year, a cohort of students researches, drafts, and advocates for policy that addresses real gaps in the fight against trafficking.
Building on the work of previous cohorts, students carry legislation forward through each stage of the process. Along the way, they learn from experienced anti-trafficking professionals and legal experts who guide them through the complexities of drafting and advancing policy.
In 2018, Pepperdine Law student Jake Herbert (JD '19) launched this course, and students
continue to carry his vision forward today.
Human Trafficking: Law, Policy, and Litigation
Taught by: Former Ambassador John Cotton Richmond
John Cotton Richmond previously served as the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, where he led the country’s global efforts to combat human trafficking.
The course examines human trafficking law and policy, along with practical strategies for criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Through real-world examples and hands-on learning, students analyze current legal trends and the evolving methods traffickers use, including front businesses, labor recruiters, and organized networks.
Students also explore key issues such as interviewing victims and witnesses, evidentiary challenges, immigration relief, survivor stabilization, trial strategy, and supply chains, while gaining insight into both U.S. and international approaches to combating trafficking.
