Why Consider This Program?
The U.S. Law in Action online summer program is uniquely designed for international law students and recent foreign-trained law graduates looking to develop a basic understanding of how U.S. law operates. Participants will explore the fundamentals of U.S. law by taking an in-depth look at a single judicial case from different angles and perspectives. The Program also allows participants to gain an understanding of U.S. legal education and the law school experience, making it ideally suited for international students considering going to law school in the U.S.
Participants will also select two specialized elective modules, and they have the option to improve their legal English language through legal English courses.
This summer offering will explain the importance of case law in a common law system and teach students basic concepts on how to read and analyze U.S. judicial opinions. Students will learn many aspects of U.S. law and will read and analyze a specific judicial opinion litigated by Miami Law faculty and students. Participants will engage in in-depth class discussions about the facts, issues, and law applied by the court, discuss issues unique to the U.S. legal system, and engage in hands-on legal analysis exercises.
Students with an intermediate level of English who wish to improve their proficiency may choose to add a Legal English module.
Participants in this one-week experiential learning program will:
- Build a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of U.S. law as a common law system
- Practice and develop basic lawyering skills
- Explore specialized topics including International Business Transactions, International Arbitration, Entertainment and Sports Law, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance and more
- Improve their legal English speaking and writing proficiency
Who May Participate?
Foreign-Trained lawyers and law students - Participants in the course must be law students or recent law graduates in their home countries. In addition, they must have an intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency.
Deadline
This highly selective program has a limited number of spots and is available by application only. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until seats are filled.
Cost
A non-refundable administrative fee of U.S. $100 will be required to participate in this program. The fee will be payable upon admission and registration. A limited number of fee waivers are available upon request.
What Topics Will Be Covered in the Modules?
U.S. Law in Action
This module focuses on the importance of case law in a common law system and teaches students how to read and analyze a U.S. judicial opinion. Students will learn many aspects of the U.S. judicial system including hierarchy, precedent, and the primary and secondary sources of law. Students will review judicial opinions and engage in hands-on legal analysis exercises.
These classes will be taught by the following Miami Law professors:
Professor K. Renee Schimkat, a legal writing professor who teaches Legal Communication and Research Skills to international LL.M. students, will be teaching students the structure of U.S. judicial opinions. She will also teach students certain aspects of the U.S. legal system, including hierarchy, precedent, and the various sources of law.
Professor Brian Sites, a member of our Academic Achievement team who works closely with international J.D. and LL.M. students in law school and on the bar exam, will conduct small discussion groups allowing students to complete practice exercises, explore connections to broader U.S. legal structures, and further analyze and discuss content from previous classes.
Specialized Modules
International Business Transactions
This module introduces students to the issues that commonly arise when advising clients in international business transactions. Students gain insight into how U.S. lawyers structure, draft, analyze, document, and negotiate deals.
International Arbitration
Large multi-national corporations and the international business community as a whole are turning with increasing frequency towards international arbitration to resolve their cross-border disputes. This module will provide participants with an overview on international arbitration – the most frequently used method of international dispute resolution. This module also will provide an overview on the legal framework for international arbitration in the U.S. and particularities in arbitrating in the U.S. or with U.S. parties.
Sports and Entertainment Law
What is the role of an agent in representing athletes and entertainers? How do celebrities use the legal system to protect their brands? How did COVID-19 alter live performance in stadiums and arenas across the world? Why are college athletes in the U.S. not compensated? This module will examine pressing legal issues impacting the entertainment and sports industries.
Social and Corporate Governance
This module provides a legal overview of a corporation's environmental, social, and corporate responsibility, relations, and compliance.
Legal English
While we require all participants to have an intermediate to advanced level of English, students who wish to further improve their legal English may select this optional module. Participating students will engage in reading comprehension of U.S. legal texts, learn general legal vocabulary and practice writing legal texts. Students will also have the opportunity to refine their English oral communication and listening comprehension skills in a legal context. The emphasis will be on the clarity, logic, and organization of spoken ideas.
