Singularity Law

The following Q&A materials were developed for an internal newsletter at Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles. I thought it might be of interest to law students wanting to learn more about the program, and law professor who have students that might be interested in the program. Please feel free to link to this page, or reproduce the Q&A materials. For further information on the Summer International IT Law Program, click here.

1. Tell me about the new Information Technology (IT) Law Summer Program in London?

The program will allow students to earn six units of course credit while enjoying five incredible weeks in London. Each student will choose two of four courses: Comparative Electronic Commerce Law, Comparative Information Privacy Law, International Cybercrimes or Drafting Information Technology Agreements. Classes will be held from 9-1, Monday through Thursday, which makes every weekend a three-day weekend. Classes will be supplemented by field trips, guest speakers and various social events.

2. When did you develop the idea for the IT Summer Law Program?

I have been interested in expanding the school’s offerings in international technology law since I joined the full-time faculty in 2003. There are not a lot of professors in Los Angeles, or even the United States, that have expertise in this area. Because of the growing importance of the European Union, and the enactment of new IT laws in the EU, it made sense to locate the program within the EU where we can hire professors knowledgeable in comparative US-EU IT laws.

3. Is this the first program of its kind?

Yes. There have been summer abroad programs that offer one or two courses in IT law, but this is the only program that focuses exclusively on international IT law. This gives students interested in practicing in this field a great opportunity to learn from professors who are internationally recognized educators in the field. It should give students participating in the program a distinct advantage over other students in getting a job in the IT sector.

4. Why London?

I actually looked at several other cities in Europe first. I had a list of characteristics I was looking for in a host city. None of the other cities had all of those characteristics; London did. In London you have first class housing and classroom facilities, a great transportation system, plenty of cultural, social and educational opportunities, easy access to other European destinations, a safe environment, and the ability to attract a world-class faculty.

London is, in my opinion, the most exciting city in the world. Spending five weeks in London is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There is a dizzying array of things to do in London, from watching tennis stars at Wimbledon to enjoying plays, musicals and outdoor concerts just down the street from the school. We are literally only blocks away from the British Museum, the British Library and numerous historical sites. Stonehenge, Oxford, the Edinburgh Festival (and many other destinations) are easily accessible by train or bus. In addition, most European cities are no more than an hour or two away. For example, there is a train within walking distance of the dorm that will whisk you to downtown Paris in just two hours. You can have lunch overlooking the Eiffel Tower and be back in London in time for dinner, or spend the entire weekend in Paris or another wonderful destination.

5. What makes this such an exciting and timely program?

The Internet and electronic commerce are the fastest growing business sectors worldwide. Every company, whether considered “high tech” or otherwise, understands the importance of being “online.” As a result, there is an enormous demand for tech-savvy attorneys, even when there is a downturn in the economy. These classes are unique and will provide students with an international perspective on IT law that is simply not available elsewhere.

6. How and why was each participating faculty member selected for the program?

Having practiced in the international IT law field for almost 30 years, I have had the opportunity to travel extensively and get to know IT lawyers and academics worldwide. When I was planning this program I contacted dozens of recognized experts in the field and asked them whom they thought were the best educators in IT law in the U.S. and the UK. That search led me to each of the professors who will be teaching in the program. As shown by their biographies, they are all accomplished authors, speakers and teachers. It is a truly an amazing faculty.

7. What are some of the biggest issues in IT law and how will this program help prepare students interested in the field?

When a company establishes a website, it is instantly doing business globally. That means that the company is potentially subject to the laws of every country in which its website is accessible, including contract law, privacy law, and criminal law. It is not sufficient for a company’s lawyers to understand only the laws of the country in which that company is located. They must understand the potential impact of foreign laws on their client’s business, and the potential liability that client may face around the world. This program will provide students with that global perspective.