LAWFUEL – The Legal Newswire – IUSLAW Participants Kick Off Intensive Four-Week Program at Pepper Hamilton LLP Reception
Washington, DC – July 25, 2007 – Pepper Hamilton LLP recently hosted a reception for foreign lawyer participants of the annual “U.S. Legal Methods Introduction to U.S. Law” program conducted by the Institute for U.S. Law (IUSLAW) http://www.iuslaw.org . This four week immersion program in U.S. law – both theoretical and practical, will include presentations from approximately 20 lecturers from the ranks of academia, the judiciary, major U.S. law firms and the government.
The reception started with an address by Don Green, of Pepper Hamilton LLP, who described how litigation in the U.S. differs from elsewhere. Mr. Green called U.S. lawyers “dramatic leaders of the trial” and compared the courtroom to a “theatre” where “the lawyer is the center of attention.” “The best lawyer wins by telling the most persuasive story—a presentation of the facts, in clear and simple language, and by communicating clearly and in an emotionally valid way.” Mr. Green added “lawyers and judges in the U.S. are free to challenge the government in court without fear of retribution or concern for personal welfare, unlike in many countries of the world.” After a lively question and answer period, the attendees moved outside for a breezy, pleasant evening on the rooftop garden, overlooking Washington DC sights, to chat with local judges, lawyers and other friends of IUSLAW. Earlier in the day, Associate Dean Susan Karamanian of the George Washington University Law School provided four hours of lectures to the group, introducing them to the U.S. legal system.
Each summer, the Institute hosts foreign lawyers for four weeks in Washington to help them become better equipped for leading positions in law firms, corporate legal offices, academia, the judiciary and government – at international, national and local levels. Participants benefit from the distinguished faculty and guest lecturers as well as the many professional and social activities that the Institute organizes in order to enhance each participant’s “Washington Experience.” As Lucija Vedris of Croatia said “European classes do not teach common law, the course is a good opportunity to learn about common law along with the chance to spend time in Washington.”
Participants from over 30 countries, including Bhutan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czeck Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and Venezuela attended the kick-off reception. As Luca Misasi of Italy mentioned, “the course is excellent for networking when your goal is to get your LLM in the U.S. and work for international law firm.”
Edward M. Andries, executive director of IUSLAW, is an attorney with Pepper Hamilton. While primarily focused on the Rule of Law aspects of the Institute’s programs, he mentioned “I’ve also developed friendships with some of the best lawyers, law firms and foreign government officials from around the world. These are people I could contact at any time if a client ever had an urgent need in the respective country.” “Moreover, all the participants of the program can contact me or any other participant or lecturer for help with their clients.” Mr. Andries, a former Fulbright professor of U.S. law in Uruguay and Argentina, is active in all aspects of the program, arranging not only for the faculty, but also various off-site visits and presentations at such venues as the U.S. Congress, federal and state courts, and the World Bank.
Program faculty and lecturers present a curriculum on a broad spectrum of U.S. law, and include professors and practitioners of U.S. law from top law schools and law firms, as well as federal and state court judges and lawyers from agencies and departments of the U.S. government. Included among the many lecturers this year are law professors from Harvard, Penn, Virginia, and GW, as well as Greg Dorris, Matt Adler, and Bill Walsh of Pepper Hamilton.
Pepper Hamilton LLP (www.pepperlaw.com) is a multi-practice law firm with 400 lawyers in six states and the District of Columbia. The firm, founded in 1890, provides corporate, litigation and regulatory legal services to leading businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the nation and the world.
