Step 1: Read "A Divorced Spouse's  Professional Degree: Is It Community Property?"
   Step 2: Imagine that you were the judge hearing the Sullivan case.
   Step 3: Write a one-page to one-and-a-half-page (double-spaced with standard margins) paper with an introduction, a conclusion and the following two body paragraphs:
      Body paragraph 1: Decide whether or not, as the judge in the Sullivan case,  you would classify a professional degree as community property under  California state law. State and support your decision.
      Body paragraph 2: Regardless of your decision in paragraph 1, suppose that you  had in fact decided to classify the professional degree as community  property (this is for the sake of argument only; it should not in any way  influence the actual decision you present in paragraph 1). Decide what you  would award Janet Sullivan as her share of the professional degree. You do  not have to compute an actual dollar amount, but do explain the reasoning  underlying the award you specify. Be as complete, concise and specific as  you can.

As with all your assignments, I am concerned with both the quality of your  analysis and how well you communicate your ideas. So think carefully about  your answers, but relax too. I do not intend to attach a letter grade to your first paper. I will only record whether or not you have conscientiously completed the assignment. However, this paper does give you an opportunity  to make a good first impression.