UC Law hosts first Global Engagement Week, highlighting international connections

The Cincinnati Center for the Global Practice of Law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law will host its first Global Engagement Week, September 9–12, 2024. This week-long event will showcase opportunities for global engagement for Cincinnati Law students, highlight the value of international experience in today’s legal market, and strengthen relationships between the College and international constituents.

“This week is a celebration of all things global at Cincinnati Law,” said Nora Burke Wagner, assistant dean for international & graduate programs and director of the LLM program. “We are thrilled to roll out the red carpet for our international visitors, our International Advisory Council, and our brand-new LLM students.”

Global Engagement Week is a Cincinnati Law initiative to prepare students for a legal career in a global, interconnected world. Through innovative programming such as the “Lawyers Change the World” speaker series and conversations on wide-ranging topics like the global issue of wrongful convictions, democracy and the rule of law, and the state of U.S. elections, students and other attendees will see the impact that a legal lens makes on the global issues of the day.

“Because UC attracts an impressive contingent of law students who are motivated by international issues, Global Engagement Week will give us the chance to offer a series of events for LLM and JD students alike to learn more about the opportunities they have for global engagement,” Wagner noted. There will be numerous opportunities for participation, as presenters from across the College share their knowledge and experience as human rights fellows, LLM alumni, and international program and institute leaders and faculty.  

Though many events are planned for the week, the following are open to the Cincinnati Law community.

Monday, Sept. 9                    Global Engagement Fair

Time: 12:15 pm                       Location: Atrium of UC Law

Learn about the opportunities for global engagement at the College. Meet with representatives from student groups, the LLM Welcome Committee, the LLM Alumni Ambassador Network, the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights/Human Rights Quarterly, Law & Leadership in Bordeaux spring break short course in France, the Immigration and Human Rights Law Review, and the newly-launched International Peace and Security Initiative.  Representatives from Clerk of Courts Pavan Parikh’s office will be on hand to assist with passport applications, renewals, and photos.

Tuesday, Sept. 10                  Lawyers Change the World Speaker Series

Time: 12:15 pm                       Location: Rm. 240

Guest lecturer Natia Mezvrishvili (LLM ’17) will present “Democracy, Elections, and the Rule of Law.”  Ms. Mezvrishvili is the Director of the Democracy Endorsement Center (Republic of Georgia).

Wednesday, Sept. 11              International Legal Studies Concentration Information Session

Time: 12:15pm                        Location: Rm. 140

Professor Jacob Cogan will present an overview of the optional International Legal Studies Concentration, including a discussion of the course requirements and special experiential and extracurricular opportunities.

Thursday, Sept. 12                International Coffee Hour with Professor Corrado  Malberti of the University of Trento Faculty of Law

Time: 10:30 am                    Location: LLM Lounge, Rm. 304

Thursday, Sept. 12                OIP + the International Innocence Network’s Campaign to Recognize the Right to be Free from Wrongful Conviction

Time: 12:15 pm                       Location: Rm. 140

Guest lecturer Mark Godsey, Daniel P. and Judith L. Carmichael Professor of Law | Director, Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice/Ohio Innocence Project, will discuss OIP’s ground-breaking work with the international innocence community to convince the United Nations to recognize the needs of innocents in prison as universal human rights.  

*Additional events will be hosted for UC Law students and selected guests. Contact Assistant Dean Nora Burke Wagner or Mieke Clincy for more information.

Cincinnati Law offers an LLM in the U.S. Legal System for foreign-trained lawyers, a Concentration in International Legal Studies for JD and LLM students, fellowships for students studying international human rights with the Urban Morgan Institute, and opportunities for short courses and internships overseas. For more information, fill out the LLM Program Information Request form. 

Lead photo: istockphoto.com