Case Western Reserve's Law School Expands Its Unique China Study Program

Partnerships with prestigious schools will offer students new opportunities 

CLEVELAND, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Case Western Reserve University School of Law has forged two new partnerships with institutions in China, making the Cleveland-based school a national leader in U.S.-China legal education.

Dean Lawrence Mitchell and Professor Jon Groetzinger recently visited China, where they reached agreements with Peking University (PKU) Law School and Renmin University of China (RUC) Law School. The signed agreements provide for faculty and student exchanges, visiting lecturers, and expanded law journals.

The university now partners with six of China's most prestigious law schools.

"The importance of our exposing U.S. law students to China is obvious," said Mitchell, a business law scholar. "This program allows us to bring prominent Chinese lawyers and scholars to our legal community as well."

Mitchell adds that, while other law schools routinely offer summer study abroad, Case Western Reserve's program offers a rare opportunity for full-semester international study.

Students at PKU and Renmin, each in Beijing, along with students at Case Western Reserve's other partner schools in China, will have the opportunity to enroll in special degree programs. Participating international students can obtain both LL.M. (Master of Laws) and JD (Juris Doctor) degrees in less time than it would take to earn each separately.

Other law schools in China with previously established ties to Case Western Reserve include City University of Hong Kong, Fudan University, East China University of Political Science and Law, and Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

Case Western Reserve and PKU law schools will build an online law journal together, and Case Western Reserve will provide support for the English edition of Peking University Law Journal.

Deans Zhang Shouwen of PKU and Han DaYuan of RUC join Mitchell and Groetzinger during recent signing ceremonies at their law schools.

"We're pleased to have forged partnerships with such high-caliber law schools in a nation whose importance in legal studies cannot be overstated," said Groetzinger.

Peking University and Renmin University Law Schools are among the first in China to offer a legal education. Many faculty members and scholars at both schools are advisers to the central government, the National People's Congress, and to large Chinese and multinational corporations. 

For more information, visit law.case.edu/Academics/ChinaProgram.aspx.

About Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 4,200 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.

SOURCE Case Western Reserve University