The Center for Chinese Legal Studies prepares students to take on leadership roles in Chinese law, and provides them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing legal environment--the number of Chinese lawyers has soared from 3,000 in 1978 to some 130,000 today, and there is unprecedented demand for lawyers proficient in Chinese and in Chinese law.
Benjamin Liebman is Director of the Center for Chinese Legal Studies. The Center offers the widest range of courses on Chinese law of any law school in the United States. Students enjoy a unique breadth and depth of Chinese law classes covering current topics such as international trade, media and the environment; students also work with world renowned faculty on original research into the Chinese legal system.
The Center has an outstanding reputation for innovative teaching. Visiting scholars from China and greater China enhance the academic environment and bring a ‘real world' knowledge to the classroom. A weekly lunch lecture series featuring China experts explores cutting-edge research and issues in law, economics and human rights.
The student community reflects the Center's commitment to excellence and consists of more than forty students from greater China as well as dozens of American law students who are proficient in Chinese and plan to pursue careers involving China. New York City offers students unique legal resources such as international human rights and cultural organizations and global corporations doing business in China, as well as one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia.
The Center is a global leader in working with law schools and legal aid clinics in China to further the development of legal aid and clinical legal education: Columbia clinical faculty are working with Chinese partners to develop clinical legal education in China, Columbia hosts public interest lawyers from China, and Columbia students work in public interest positions in China each summer.
CCLS SNAPSHOT
An interdisciplinary approach draws on the expertise of faculty in the History and East Asian Languages and Literatures departments at Columbia University.
More than forty-five students from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are enrolled in J.D. and LL.M. programs this year.
Visiting scholars include world renowned Chinese legal experts, as well as numerous leading young scholars from China.
Students gain hands-on legal experience through summer internships and research in China.
A strong network of alumni in the U.S. and China helps students stay in touch through events, lectures and reunions.
To arrange an interview, call 212-854-2604.
Contact: Paulette Roberts Director of Asian and Comparative Law Programs Columbia Law School, Box A-28 435 W. 116th St. New York, NY 10027 212-854-0685 prober@law.columbia.edu
