Talking with ITC Students

"Through my courses in Transnational Law and International Trade Law, I have begun to discover the areas I am most interested in within the broad category of international law and this clinic seems to 'hit the nail on the head,' so to speak." Luis Avila, 2L, BA in Business, Calvin College

The ITC offers a "rare chance to handle international transactions as well as the equally unique opportunity to manage them in a way that promotes positive social change." Ji-Yeon Suh, 2L, BA in Philosophy, Columbia University

The ITC is ". . . an early step in my career as a transactional attorney helping to coordinate and implement major cross-border transactional deals." Joydeep Dasmunshi, 3L, BBA, University of Michigan

The ITC is an opportunity for "honing my communication and language skills, applying my knowledge from previous law school courses like Contracts and Transnational Law, and learning how to conduct negotiations and draft crucial documents needed in cross-border transactions." Nicole Lonsway. 3L, BA in French and English, University of Michigan

talking with the Dean and the itc director

"This is an exciting opportunity to involve a new generation of bright legal minds in cross-border transactions that will train our students for a lifetime of international business dealings, and that can also make an enormous difference in the lives of people in the developing world." Dean Evan H. Caminker, University of Michigan Law School

"I easily can imagine a 10^th year reunion of this inaugural class of ITC graduates where we learn that the ITC experience helped to advance their international legal careers in business, government, international organizations, and the not-for-profit sector. We say we are launching a new clinic, but we also are launching a new community." Professor Deborah Burand, Director, International Transactions Clinic, University of Michigan Law School

Talking with Alumni

"International business transations often present a whole range of additional issues, particularly where the legal systems are relatively underdeveloped for such activities.  The International Transactions Clinic should be ideal for law students who want to begin understanding the complexities and problems that arise in cross border deals involving emerging market countries." James R. Hilton, '73, former Associate General Counsel and Head of the Corporate Transactions Group, Johnson & Johnson Law Department

"As a former president of the International Law Society at UM, I am very excited about the creation of the International Transactions Clinic at the Law School. I am impressed by the Law School's commitment to incorporate international legal training into the Law School curriculum. The creation of this clinic will present a unique opportunity for the students at UM to gain practical experience along with the development of a global perspective on the practice of law." Rachel E. Deming, ’82, Partner Scarola Ellis LLP

"In an increasingly globalized world, it is imperative that law students look beyond their own legal borders and develop familiarity with the complexity of cross-border disputes and transactions that involve different cultural and legal systems. This clinic offers a unique opportunity to experience real world cross-border transactions in the burgeoning field of microfinance taught by experienced practitioners. By offering this innovative clinic, the University of Michigan Law School has once more demonstrated that it is at the forefront of international legal education." Carl A. Valenstein, ’83, Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

"I wish I had the opportunity in law school to participate in a program like this one. Not only is this a fabulous opportunity to learn first-hand about international transactions but also to give back to others. Many students say they want to practice ’International law.’ Many glibly use the phrase without really understanding what it means. I know they don't mean working with treaties in the State Department. Anyone who participates in this clinic will have first-hand knowledge of what working in today's global economy really means." Constance A. Fratianni, ’85, Partner, Shearman & Sterling

Having worked as a corporate associate at a law firm and with Professor Burand on a microfinance project, I only wish that the International Transactions Clinic had been in place when I attended the University of Michigan Law School. I imagine the clinic will give provide an early understanding of, and definite advantage in, international transactional work for both those students that are interested in private practice and those students that want to make an impact on global poverty with their degree." Sucheta Misra, '06, Associate, Mayer Brown