Alumni Magazine & Dean's Report - I.U. School of Law - Indiana ...

STUDENTS AT THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF LAW – INDIANAPOLIS PARTICIPATED IN
THE INAUGURAL SINO-U.S. INTERNATIONAL FORUM
for Law School Students on June 6, 2010 at the Renmin University
of China (RUC) School of Law in Beijing. The Forum was
organized by IU School of Law – Indianapolis Professor Lloyd T.
Wilson, Jr. and RUC School of Law Professor Ding Xiangshun.
The Forum was sponsored by the Joint Center for Asian Law
Studies—a partnership of IU School of Law – Indianapolis and
the RUC School of Law—and was held in conjunction with the
IU school’s Chinese Law Summer Program.
At the Forum, six RUC law students and nine U.S. law
students made presentations concerning various aspects of their
legal educations. Eight of the U.S. presenters are students at
IU School of Law – Indianapolis: Erin Albert, Michael Carter,
Michael Gabelman, Melinda Mains, Jeremy Parker, William
Singer, Mark Shope, and James zinger.
An international panel of experts led discussions relating to
each student’s presentation. In addition to Wilson and Ding, the
panelists were: Niu Wenjie, Director, China Securities Depository
& Clearing Corp. Ltd.; Xue Haibin, Solicitor and Partner, Zhonglun
W D Law Firm; Stephen Leonard, British international law expert
and adjunct professor at RUC School of Law; Keith M. Brandt,
Senior Partner, Beijing Office of Hommonds Law Firm (U.K.);
Andrew Lin, Partner of Blacklaw LLP, Irvine, California; and
Charles Wharton, Harvard Law School.
The Forum was “a terrific opportunity for our students,”
Wilson said. He explained that “at the beginning of the summer
program, RUC and IU students were paired in mentor/mentee
relationships, which enabled them to make friendships and
engage in informal conversations about their legal education.”
In addition, “the students’ presentations were videotaped and
their transcribed remarks will be published by Professor Ding
and made available to law schools throughout China.”
IU School of Law – Indianapolis student Mark Shope
added, “The Sino-U.S. International Forum for Law School
Students at Renmin University was a wonderful opportunity
for students from both sides of the Pacific to learn about the
similarities and differences in ideas and experiences of aspiring
legal professionals. For those of us who want to enter the
workforce as an attorney with a nuanced approach to matters of
international interest, these types of exchanges are priceless. For
those who may choose a career that does not include international
elements, these types of exchanges are important so that we may
learn to see the world through different eyes. These exchanges
helped me personally become more well-rounded, open-minded
and culturally aware.”
A second Sino-U.S. International Forum for Law School
Students is planned for June 5, 2011.
Top: The Indiana University School of Law—Indianapolis announced
the formation of a Joint Center for Asian Law Studies in partnership
with Renmin University of China School of Law in Beijing. IU
School of Law—Indianapolis Dean Gary R. Roberts and Renmin
University of China (RUC) School of Law Dean Han Dayuan are
pictured executing the agreement establishing the Joint Center at a
ceremony in Beijing on June 17.
Middle: Professor Lloyd T. “Tom” Wilson (center) posed with
members of the Legal English Association, which was the studentsponsoring
group of the visit to China. The LEA is dedicated to
helping students hone their English language skills, both generally
and with regard to law.
Bottom: Pictured above are all of the students who spoke at the
Sino-U.S. International Forum for Law School Students, along with
the expert commentators.
I U S C H O O L O F L AW S U M M E R A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E