Studying Law in New
York City
The practice of law has become increasingly
transnational in nature. As a result,
lawyers throughout the world have
come to recognize the need to develop
an understanding of the law and legal
systems not only of their own countries
but also of other countries that are
important to the international practice
of law.
Technological advancements have made
international travel quick and inexpensive
and communications around the world
virtually instantaneous. Business
transactions and foreign investments,
in turn, have become increasingly
global in character. The nature of
international law itself has also
changed in response to developments
in technology and transnational business
dealings. This, too, has led to an
increasing demand for lawyers who
can practice effectively in the international
arena.
Law practice has responded to the
changing needs of business by recognizing
the need for and rewarding attorneys
who can practice effectively across
jurisdictional borders and in both
civil and common law systems. Knowledge
of the lingua franca and cultural
nuances of multiple jurisdictions
is also highly valued.
Law firms – from the largest
and most prestigious to mid-sized
and smaller firms – have been
changing the way they do business.
US law firms have been hiring an increasing
number of attorneys from abroad for
their home offices to service a growing
number of international clients. At
the same time, scores of US law firms
have opened branch offices in cities
around the world, seeking to capitalize
on the international growth of business
and law practice. Other US law firms
have merged with established law firms
around the world. All of these changes
in the way that US law firms operate
provide enormous possibilities for
lawyers from abroad who are well versed
in the US legal system and US law.
.
In response to these changes in law
and the way law firms do business,
large and growing numbers of lawyers
from all regions of the world come
to the US to study law. Programs at
US law schools offering JD (first
degree in law) and LL.M. (graduate)
degrees have responded to this demand.
LL.M. programs in particular have
grown in number, size, and scope in
recent years. While most of these
programs are not limited to attorneys
trained abroad, they are designed
to respond to the needs of such students.
Programs at US law schools offer
international law students the opportunity
to study US law in an environment
that fosters a truly international
perspective. Law students from abroad
generally design a curriculum that
combines basic US legal principles
with courses in one or more areas
of substantive interest. Students
may also pursue a program of study
that focuses on a particular area
of specialization, such as intellectual
property, corporate law, or taxation.
International students are also introduced
to the forms and methods of legal
writing prominent in US law practice.
In short, education at a US law school
provides lawyers with an appreciation
of the fundamental principles of the
US common law system, exposure to
the vocabulary of US law, an understanding
of US substantive law in the areas
most relevant to each particular attorney,
and familiarity with US law practice.
Moreover, because students from abroad
take most or all of their classes
with US law students, there are ample
opportunities for comparative learning
and the sharing of ideas with law
students from the US and around the
world. These dialogues may begin in
the classroom but are often continued
in informal gatherings outside of
class, law school student activities,
language roundtables, and other events
in and around the law school community.
These opportunities also allow internationally
trained attorneys to develop a deep
sense of cultural understanding and
language abilities that will help
prepare them for contemporary law
practice. In addition, international
students at US law schools typically
develop close networks of personal
and professional contacts that shape
their professional lives for years
to come.
New York City offers special advantages
for an attorney from abroad interested
in a law degree from a US law school:
It is the legal, financial and international
capital of the US, offering the United
Nations, the New York Stock Exchange,
the home offices of most of the country’s
largest and most prestigious law firms,
and myriad other opportunities. It
is also among the most culturally
rich environments in the world, bringing
together a truly multicultural community
consisting of people of all nationalities,
religions, and races. (Not insignificantly,
it also offers world-class theatre,
opera, museums, musical venues and
performances, and other sights; exquisite
culinary opportunities; and some of
the world’s best shopping!)
The study of law in the US promises
to enhance an international lawyer’s
professional opportunities. The advantages
offered by law study in the US are
many - advantages that are magnified
by the myriad advantages of New York
City.
Toni M. Fine is Director of Graduate
and International Programs at Benjamin
N. Cardozo School of Law, located
in New York City
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