08/02/2024
The Legal Immersion Experience boosts legal expertise by taking a practical approach to learning. It also gives International Dispute Resolution specialization students a chance to visit the world-renowned International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)'s International Court of Arbitration in Paris, France.
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) at IE Law School offers legal professionals a truly well-rounded experience. From case studies and moot courts to the IE Legal Clinic, students have plenty of opportunities to grow in hands-on settings, including the Legal Immersion Experience.
A program for global practice
Focused on interactive learning, the Legal Immersion Experience lets students practice legal theories in real-world scenarios. They visit major global hubs for law and commerce to gain insights from—and, most importantly, network with—leading legal experts already working in their field of interest. This year, those studying the International Dispute Resolution headed to Paris.
“The Legal Immersion Experience gave me really good insight about what it’s like to pursue a career in arbitration and dispute resolution.”
The International Dispute Resolution specialization is an excellent launchpad for global careers in arbitration and mediation. It’s designed in a unique joint partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)-International Court of Arbitration, the most renowned institution for resolving commercial and investment disputes worldwide. Through the Legal Immersion Experience, students have a chance to visit this important organization while getting a feel for the practical side of alternative methods of dispute resolution.
Law in action
IE Law School and the ICC International Court of Arbitration are keen to nurture new talent in mediation, arbitration and dispute resolution. In light of globalization and shifting norms, there’s a need to train legal practitioners who can defend clients’ rights effectively in this new dispensation. The Legal Immersion Experience inspires students to get into this exciting field by allowing them to get first-hand knowledge directly from the headquarters of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. During the week, they will meet leading professionals and learn the rules behind the institution.
Through the eyes of the students
For most students, the highlight of the Legal Immersion Experience is seeing the Court through the eyes of professionals already embedded there. Alonso de la Vallina Subero, one of the students on this trip, said it best: ”The best thing was actually being inside the ICC International Court of Arbitration. We all know about the Court from pursuing a career in arbitration and mediation, so being there with the people who work there and make decisions was very impressive.”
“I never fully understood what my career could look like until I came to IE Law School.”
But for others, it’s a time to take their learning to the real world. Expert speakers led several informative sessions, giving students a one-of-a-kind chance to see legal theories studied in class play out in practical application. “There are a lot of things you can learn from books or articles, but here, you learn from the people who are actively involved in the process,” explained classmate Huiyu Wang. “I learned about the ICC International Court of Arbitration rules from a booklet, but I never got to discuss it with the people who defined how to interpret and implement them until now.”
Immersive and enriching
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Dispute Resolution students report a wide variety of benefits stemming from this unique experience.
Most students have a rough idea of how important the discipline of arbitration is, but visiting the Court reveals the true scale of its global landscape. “It gave us insight into how many people actually work in the field we’re trying to pursue. There are so many institutions we could work with, especially the ICC International Court of Arbitration.”
“I would describe my experience at IE Law School so far as intense and demanding—there’s a lot of school work—but it is very rewarding.”
Similarly, the experience gives students a chance to witness the inner workings of the legal process through a practical approach, giving them a chance to develop real industry knowledge. “It taught us that there are lots of things that go on behind the scenes in terms of commercial dealings, as well as just how much business and commercial aspects come into play when applying the law.”
Through the Legal Immersion Experience, students are able to dive deep into the world of arbitration, solidifying their own plans for the future along the way. “This trip completely changed my perception of the field. There are so many rules and procedures, and so much thought has gone into building an institution such as the ICC International Court of Arbitration.”
It’s been amazing so far and I look forward to what will happen next, and how it’s going to change me and push me further in pursuit of my career and international arbitration journey.
At the same time, connecting with people at the top of the field only compounded the opportunities available to these students. “This immersion week opened up a lot of chances to network with leading professionals.”
Ready to launch
Overall, students have described the Legal Immersion Experience as “amazing,” “incredible,” and “enriching.” They encourage others to consider the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Dispute Resolution as a way to ensure a successful career path in the future.
Past participants are looking forward to what will happen next and how they will continue to be challenged throughout their journey through international arbitration. As advice for future students? It’s simple: “Honestly, do it.”
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) global focus guarantees it will continue to stand. Its Comparative Law methodology, which explores legal frameworks across jurisdictions, molds practitioners capable of excelling on the international stage. More importantly, its unique specializations—International Business Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, International Dispute Resolution, and International Taxation—offer hope for the future, imparting niche skill sets that will ensure our students stay one step ahead of the rest long after graduation.
