UC Law SF Signs New Exchange Agreement with the National Taiwan University College Of Law

UC Law SF and the National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Law, Taiwan’s leading law school, have signed a new exchange agreement.

“This new exchange expands UC Law SF relationships in the region and provides opportunities for students and graduates of the two institutions to forge new ties,” says Richard A. Boswell, Professor of Law & Associate Dean for Global Programs.

The new agreement with NTU represents the latest step in an ongoing effort to expand UC Law SF engagement with counterparts in Taiwan. Over the past two years, Professors Boswell, Keith Hand (Director of the UC Law SF East Asian Legal Studies Program), and Frank H. Wu as Chancellor & Dean have traveled to Taiwan to build UC Law SF collaborative networks, engage alumni, and conduct research. In April 2015, UC Law SF signed a cooperative agreement with the Taipei Bar Association.

“Ever since my late uncle served as Education Minister of Taiwan, I have thought about how to build connections to institutions of higher education there,” said Wu.

“It is essential th@ UC Law SF students interested in East Asia have opportunities to study at leading institutions in the region, enhance their language skills, and experience East Asian legal cultures on the ground,” adds Hand. “We are thrilled that our students will now have an opportunity to advance these goals by spending a semester at Taiwan’s leading law school, and we are pleased that NTU students will enrich our classrooms here with perspectives from Taiwan.”

UC Law SF Acting Chancellor and Dean David Faigman extolled the value of this agreement, and lauded “the great work and cooperation of everyone involved.”

Under the exchange agreement, UC Law SF may place up to two students per year at NTU for one semester each during the initial five-year term of the agreement. UC Law SF will host an equivalent number of NTU students in its J.D. program.

East Asian Legal Studies Program at UC Law SF

Economic growth and legal transformation in East Asia offer tremendous opportunities for UC Law SF students. UC Law SF is a hub for research and professional exchange on East Asian legal systems, and our San Francisco campus is perfectly situated for those who want to be close to the action. Our program is advancing understanding of historic legal changes in East Asia and providing students with tools to work effectively with clients and counterparts in this dynamic region.

The curriculum delves into emerging legal issues across East Asia. Courses range from country-specific surveys to seminars focusing on China’s impact on international institutions like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Students supplement their coursework by connecting with visiting scholars and practitioners from the region and taking advantage of our numerous conferences and career-building programs. Our East Asia Speaker Series and a recent symposium on corporate governance and capital markets in Japan are just two examples.

UC Law SF offers students the chance to study abroad at leading law schools in China, Japan, and Korea. Our exchange programs give students the opportunity to experience East Asian legal cultures, enhance their language skills, and build professional networks. Students seeking work experience abroad can apply for internships with UC Law SF partners in Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul, or tap into a large network of alumni serving in leading positions throughout East Asia.

Our faculty members are leaders in their fields, and they are committed to helping students take advantage of growing opportunities in this region. Professor Setsuo Miyazawa is the leading scholar on Japanese judicial reform and has founded international associations on East Asian law and society. He holds a joint appointment with Aoyama Gakuin University Law School in Tokyo. Since 2012, Professor Miyazawa has organized an annual UC Law SF symposium on law and society in Japan.

Another pillar of the program is Professor Keith Hand, a legal scholar and former business lawyer who has advised the U.S. Congress on China policy and worked with key Chinese legal institutions on emerging reforms. Professor Hand travels to China regularly to conduct research and build academic and professional networks for UC Law SF. Practicing attorneys Auria Styles and Eric Sibbitt offer seminars on business law in China and Japan as adjunct faculty members.

Students with a wide range of practice interests, including cross-border transactions, trade law, intellectual property, human rights, and environmental law, can expect East Asia to play an increasingly important role in their professional lives. In the global legal practices of the 21st century, lawyers with specialized knowledge, experience, and connections in the region will have a leg up on the competition. The East Asian Legal Studies Program combines in-depth academic training with relevant professional work experience to prepare students for an exciting legal career in this highly dynamic and increasingly influential region.