UC Law expands global reach through international programs and investment opportunities

As the legal profession becomes increasingly global, the University of Cincinnati College of Law is preparing the next generation of lawyers to thrive in a complex, interconnected world. Through an expanding portfolio of international programs and initiatives, Cincinnati Law is meeting the demands of students and employers alike for global engagement in the legal field.

Cultural fluency and international capacity have become core competencies for modern legal practice. The Greater Cincinnati region reflects this trend: home to eight Fortune 500 companies and numerous multinational firms, the area continues to see strong demand for attorneys with cross-border legal skills.

“Global awareness isn’t an aside to the practice of law; it is an essential part of both higher education and legal education,” said Nora Burke Wagner, Assistant Dean for International & Graduate Programs and Co-Director of the Cincinnati Center for the Global Practice of Law (CCGPL) at Cincinnati Law. “Internationalizing the law school experience for our students—by cultivating and promoting global experiences—is preparing them to enter an increasingly global legal marketplace,” said Wagner.

Students, alumni, and employers alike are increasingly turning to Cincinnati Law for its ability to develop globally minded legal professionals prepared to serve clients across jurisdictions and industries. By offering robust opportunities for global engagement, Cincinnati Law attracts talented and ambitious aspiring lawyers, many of whom will become part of the Cincinnati legal community. 

Cincinnati Law has long held a reputation for excellence in international legal education. Its strengths include:

• An internationally renowned faculty in international law and human rights
• The Cincinnati Center for the Global Practice of Law (CCGPL)      
• The Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights, which publishes the prestigious Human Rights Quarterly
• A network of partnerships with leading academic institutions around the world 
• Close ties with multinational corporations and international law firms via our International Advisory Council and LLM alumni network 
• The newly launched International Peace and Security Initiative, enhancing research and education on global conflict resolution

These initiatives help form the foundation for the College’s strategic priority that focuses on international work—an emphasis that continues to grow through new opportunities for alumni and donor investment.

The College educates its students to go out into the world and brings the world to Cincinnati. Its LLM (Master of Laws) program welcomes international attorneys and law students from across the globe to study U.S. law in Cincinnati. “Our LLM program strengthens and enhances our classrooms and learning community with perspectives from outside the United States,” said Wagner. “It has also served as a launchpad for university partnerships, which have opened doors to international opportunities for faculty, staff, and all of our students,” she added.

“Our students pursue law degrees because they want to make a difference, and many of them fully intend to begin a career with an international dimension,” explained Jacob Katz Cogan, Judge Joseph P. Kinneary Professor of Law and Co-Director of CCGPL. “We have significantly increased our offerings in this area, across the full range of the curriculum, and have added overseas field study courses. We have a faculty that connects students with global opportunities and that spreads the reputation of Cincinnati Law around the world.”

“Highly motivated and engaged students expect education to include opportunities to see the world,” noted Wagner. One such example is Julia Bley, who graduated this spring. "Participating in the Spring Break course in Bogota gave me the inspiration I needed to zero in on how I want to put my legal training to work,” said Bley‘25. “We spent time with the arbitration team for the government of Colombia, and I thought, 'This is what I want to do.' The next year, I enrolled in the International Commercial Arbitration course and earned a place on the Vis Moot travel team. Getting to practice arbitration skills in Hong Kong with law students from all over the world sealed the deal. This is my new direction," explained Bley.

Cincinnati Law invites its alumni, friends, and community stakeholders to support the expansion of its international footprint. Opportunities for investment include:

• Naming rights for the Cincinnati Center for the Global Practice of Law (CCGPL)
• Endowed professorships and directorships with an emphasis on international and comparative law
• CCGPL Fellowships to support international law research and study
• LLM program scholarships to strengthen talent pipelines and program sustainability
• Sponsorship of week-long overseas courses for JD students
• Support for international academic partnerships
• Sponsorship of the Lawyers Change the World Speaker Series
• Funding for visiting international lecturers and faculty exchanges
• Support for the Willem C. Vis International Arbitration Moot Team
• Support for the newly launched Institute for Peace and Security Initiatives
• Support for the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Riights

These investments directly advance the College's mission: to educate and inspire leaders who pursue justice and strengthen the role of law in society. By supporting Cincinnati Law’s international initiatives, donors play a critical role in shaping a future where legal professionals are prepared to meet the demands of a truly global society.

To invest with the College of Law, visit the Donate page or contact Carolyn Adam, Senior Director of Development, at 513-556-5002,  or Mindy Roy, Director of Development, at 513-556-0244. 

Join us in bringing the world to Cincinnati Law—and Cincinnati Law to the world.

Lead photo: istockphoto.com