Willbrand is one of the worst professors in Michigan Law. The class is absolutely non-Socratic. It basically consists of 2 hour non stop lecture, while not maintaining eye contact. The professor does not even pay attention to the hands raised, or answer any questions in class. Even some of the substantive material is not covered.
So, there are no text books for startups, so that is a plus. Additionally, no need to read anything because there are no cold calls. If you want to waste 2 hours per week and get a mediocre grade, then I guess this class is for you.
It’s true: Willbrand speaks in monotone and rarely fields questions. But he’s funny and, more importantly, very knowledgable about startups (and many other subjects). He will take you provision-by-provision of the DGCL and explain how a startup is formed and governed. He comes at the material from a practical POV, though he does like to add historical context too. While I know some students didn’t enjoy the class, I found it edifying–even beyond startups. I’d recommend the class if you’re comfortable just listening to the lecture and want to understand the basic legal issues for startups.
I agree with the previous commentators, that he is super boring. It is true that he goes through the statutes and the applicable law, but you can know that by buying a book on startups and Venture Capital. He has a ton of practical experience including raising kids – but he never brings anything from his so called long practical experience into the classes. It is a long boring monologue about Venture Capital and how he covered a lot of stuff in the startup class.
Additionally, he curves the class, even when he does not need to. And he gives C’s when he does not need to maintain the curve. I think Prof. Willbrand does not really like the students, and its is just a part time gig for him, till his startup Pacaso exits to an IPO and gets him money.
So, this is one class which I would avoid. If you want to learn more about Venture Capital and Private Equity, I would recommend Prof. Rauterberg’s class that is more thought provoking and interactive.
MLaw Prof Reviews
Willbrand is one of the worst professors in Michigan Law. The class is absolutely non-Socratic. It basically consists of 2 hour non stop lecture, while not maintaining eye contact. The professor does not even pay attention to the hands raised, or answer any questions in class. Even some of the substantive material is not covered.
So, there are no text books for startups, so that is a plus. Additionally, no need to read anything because there are no cold calls. If you want to waste 2 hours per week and get a mediocre grade, then I guess this class is for you.
It’s true: Willbrand speaks in monotone and rarely fields questions. But he’s funny and, more importantly, very knowledgable about startups (and many other subjects). He will take you provision-by-provision of the DGCL and explain how a startup is formed and governed. He comes at the material from a practical POV, though he does like to add historical context too. While I know some students didn’t enjoy the class, I found it edifying–even beyond startups. I’d recommend the class if you’re comfortable just listening to the lecture and want to understand the basic legal issues for startups.
I agree with the previous commentators, that he is super boring. It is true that he goes through the statutes and the applicable law, but you can know that by buying a book on startups and Venture Capital. He has a ton of practical experience including raising kids – but he never brings anything from his so called long practical experience into the classes. It is a long boring monologue about Venture Capital and how he covered a lot of stuff in the startup class.
Additionally, he curves the class, even when he does not need to. And he gives C’s when he does not need to maintain the curve. I think Prof. Willbrand does not really like the students, and its is just a part time gig for him, till his startup Pacaso exits to an IPO and gets him money.
So, this is one class which I would avoid. If you want to learn more about Venture Capital and Private Equity, I would recommend Prof. Rauterberg’s class that is more thought provoking and interactive.