December 2005

For Carolyn B. Lamm, JD '73, the world is her courtroom—literally. A partner in the Washington, D.C., office of White & Case, Lamm specializes in international commercial litigation, international arbitration and international trade. Her client list includes the governments of Indonesia, Philippines, Bulgaria and Canada and multinational corporations.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Lamm came to the School of Law with an interest in international affairs. "I was always fascinated by different cultures and different languages," she said. UM's atmosphere—it was well-known for its international focus, especially Latin America—further whetted that interest.

Her experience at the School of Law sparked a career path and an appreciation for a supportive working environment. While she was one of only ten women in her class, Lamm found camaraderie among the law students. "We were always bouncing ideas off each other," she said.

Lamm's education also helped her develop a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to legal analysis. By studying with such outstanding faculty as the late Professor Richard Hausler and the late Dean and Professor Soia Mentschikoff, she learned to understand the policies that move the law.

After graduation, Lamm worked at the U.S. Department of Justice under the Attorney General's Program for Honor Law Graduates. She served as a trial attorney in the Fraud Section of the Civil Division before becoming assistant director of its Commercial Litigation Branch. Lamm joined White & Case in 1980.

During her tenure in private practice, she has built an accomplished and internationally respected record. She was appointed by President Clinton to the US Panel of Arbitrators for International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and, most recently, by the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Panel of Arbitrators for ICSID. She was named Woman Lawyer of the Year in 2002 by the Women's Bar in DC and is recognized in leading publications including Best Lawyers in America, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World and Who's Who in American Law. The Euromoney Guide and Chambers Global Guide have deemed her a leading expert in international commercial arbitration. A former president of the District of Columbia Bar, Lamm is thinking of running for president of the American Bar in 2008.

Today, her ties to UM reach another generation. Lamm and her husband, Peter Halle, JD '73, come to campus to visit their son, Alex, a sophomore with an interest in computer engineering and business. "It is a thrill to return to the campus and feel the energy and enthusiasm of the student body – particularly at the law school," she said. "The intellectual curiosity and stimulation offered to the students by the superb faculty and others in the student body is obvious and inspiring. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to stay in touch with the faculty, students and alumni leaders at UM and to watch its evolution from a great institution to one of the best in the country."