Launched in 1997, the Fordham Law Summer Institute in New York City provides foreign-trained lawyers and law students with an introduction to the U.S. legal system and various topics of U.S. law.  The program includes an introduction to the aspects of U.S. law that are most important for lawyers in today’s global economy.  The program also includes social events and other opportunities for students to develop friendships and professional networks from among the other participants, who typically come from more than 20 countries from around the world.

Topics to be covered in the 2010 Summer Institute tentatively include an Introduction to the U.S. Legal System, Bankruptcy Law, Civil Litigation, Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Corporate Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Information Technology Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Arbitration, Mediation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Product Liability Law, and Trial Practice.

Students may also take part in optional workshops to strengthen legal English skills such as Contract Drafting, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Litigation Documents and Scholarly Writing.  Students may also attend workshops on Applying to LL.M. Programs and Preparing for the LL.M. Program – a specially designed seminar for students who are about to begin an LL.M. program at Fordham or elsewhere upon completion of the Summer Institute.

The Summer Institute offers one scholarship to a Brazilian lawyer or law student in memory of Thiago Barbarisi Moraes, a beloved member of the First Annual Fordham Law Summer Institute class, who died tragically in 2008.  For information on how to apply for the scholarship, please click here.