New JD/LLB Dual Degree Program with Alberta
October 17, 2008
Colorado Law and the University of Alberta announced a new and ambitious international Dual Degree Program today. Students will be able to earn a J.D. and its Canadian equivalent, an LL.B (Bachelor of Laws), in this four-year program, spending two years at each school.
In North America, foreign trade has become more common for even the smallest business and a need for lawyers versed in multiple legal systems has emerged. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, from 1993 to 2007, trade among the NAFTA nations more than tripled, from $297 billion to $930 billion. Additionally, business investment in the United States has risen by 117 percent since 1993. Law degrees from both the United States and Canada will prepare students to serve Denver law firm clients conducting business internationally, offering them a distinct advantage in this job market. National law firms are becoming global firms, representing international securities firms, investment management companies, and other financial institutions on pertinent regulatory issues. A lawyer with this dual degree can cover any transnational issues in cross-border securities, transactional, commercial, insurance litigation, subrogation, recovery, immigration, real estate, or energy and natural resource law. “We are delighted to forge this alliance that builds on the strengths and common interests of two great schools,” said Colorado Law School Dean David Getches. “It will open new opportunities for study and career development for our students and research and teaching for our faculties.” The two law schools have similar centers and programs in natural resources, energy, constitutional, health, business, jurisprudence, and native people law. Attending the Signing Ceremony was CU-Boulder Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson, Dean Getches, Alberta Dean of Law David Percy, Alberta Professor Wayne Renke, Jamie Canton from the Consulate General of Canada Office in Denver, and numerous CU-Boulder faculty and students. “This is the first program of its kind in Western Canada,” said Dean Percy. “In an era of increasing internationalization, it will offer exciting opportunities to University of Alberta students and especially for students who plan to practice in Alberta, with its heavy reliance on north-south trade.” Like CU, the University of Alberta is a top-ranked institute. It is listed among the top 60 global universities by Newsweek and is one of Canada’s largest research-intensive universities. Sol Rolingher, a 1968 Colorado law graduate and the chair of the Décore Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution at the University of Alberta Law School, said, “These two exceptional schools have synergies not only because they are in the West, but also because they are visionary in their thinking which brings an incredible opportunity for students wishing the global view of legal education. This educational opportunity is exactly what our future lawyers need to broaden their horizons and enhance their contributions for themselves personally and the greater good.” Colorado Law offers seven additional dual degree programs in conjunction with other CU schools, including masters of business administration, public administration, science in telecommunications, urban and regional planning, and environmental science, and doctorates in environmental science and medicine.