Track 3: Globalization of Legal Practice: A Comparative Exploration of the Benefits, Challenges, and Pitfalls of Preparing Lawyers for Practice in the Global Community through Clinics and Internationa

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Session Type: AALS Programs

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Globalization of law practice is
the “new normal,” but more needs to be done to expand American law students’
knowledge and skills to prepare them to work effectively across borders, legal
systems and cultures. American law schools are not
unique in confronting these challenges, and can do a better job of learning
from the increasing numbers of clinicians and externship supervisors operating
outside of the United States. While clinical faculty have been at the forefront
of creating experiential learning opportunities in international and
comparative law and practice for law students outside of the United States, and
have played a significant role in training and otherwise supporting emerging
clinicians and clinical programs across the globe, there has been less of a
focus on what we can learn from our colleagues from around the world as we
prepare our students for practice.  With participation from our clinical
colleagues from outside the United States, this session will critically examine
how law school clinical and externship programs can effectively and responsibly
meet the pedagogical and training needs of law students, as well as the
emerging and increasingly transnational legal needs of the communities our students
go on to serve.   The session will also explore the opportunities and
challenges for engaging foreign lawyers through our LLM programs, and for
collaboration with our clinical colleagues in other parts of the world.