London arbitration program completes seventh extraordinary year

With students from around the world and the continued participation of world-class partners, Hamline’s recently completed Certificate Program in Global Arbitration Law and Practice program in London proved to be another resounding success. 

Thirty-two students from four different countries participated in the five-week London-based study-abroad program this past summer, which is a joint venture of the Dispute Resolution Institute (DRI) at Hamline Law and Professor Thomas E. Carbonneau, an internationally recognized author and authority on arbitration who is the Orlando Distinguished Professor of Law at Penn State Dickinson School of Law.  The program is conducted in cooperation with The School of International Arbitration, Queen Mary University of London.  

The program, Global Arbitration Law and Practice:  National and Transborder Perspectives, brings together a diverse group of law students and young lawyers from the U.S., Europe, and Asia.  The 6-credit certificate was designed to provide a systematic and comprehensive exposure to international commercial arbitration. It allows students to expand their Alternative Dispute Resolution horizons beyond the framework of structured negotiations or the limitations of national law and court procedure.  

“Studying in London and earning the certificate in global arbitration was an amazing experience,” says Amanda Singer, a third-year Hamline Law student.  “Not only did we learn in the classroom, we also did a simulated arbitration with partners from London firms who we could network with and learn from.” 

The international flavor of this year’s program was further enhanced by the participation of  

Isabelle Kalihangabo, an assistant Attorney General in the Rwanda Ministry of Justice who attended the program through the Africa Justice Foundation.  She was joined by two Rwandan judges in the program.  The Foundation http://www.africajusticefoundation.org/ works with African governments and the international business community to support the development of robust justice systems in Africa. 

The program is enriched by the relationship with The School of International Arbitration, which was established at Queen Mary, University of London in 1985 to promote advanced teaching and research in the law and practice affecting international arbitration.  Today the School is widely acknowledged as one of the leading teaching and research centers on international arbitration in the world.  A highlight of the program for the students is when they can put their newly acquired knowledge into practice during the final course.  Acting as advocates, the students present their cases to prominent arbitrators from London-based international law firms that include Herbert Smith, White & Case, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Baker Botts and Clifford Chance. 

“Our London certificate is one of the core programs that DRI Hamline Law offers,” says Associate Professor and DRI Director Sharon Press.  “It’s a perfect example of how DRI has built strategic partnerships around the world to create the best, most authentic, learning opportunities for our students.”