Columbia Law School Launches Executive Education and Non-Degree Programs

Led by Assistant Dean Julia Miller, Executive Education designs programs for lawyers, business executives, policymakers, and individuals who want to expand their understanding of legal issues in different career disciplines and sharpen skills that can be quickly applied to their practice. Instruction will take place on campus, online, and at locations of the clients’ choosing.

 

“I am thrilled with this opportunity to leverage Columbia Law School’s long tradition of leadership in legal education to provide customized training for lawyers and others who must navigate an increasingly complex and competitive global environment,” said Gillian Lester, Dean and the Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law. “We are committed to providing a world-class legal education for our own students, and now also for established professionals, as well as young adults interested in the law.”

 

Drawing on the depth of expertise among the Law School’s world-renowned faculty, the  Executive Education curriculum will give participants the opportunity to study the current state of practice and scholarship on a wide range of topics, including: mergers and acquisitions, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance, international transactions, tax law, labor and employment, government investigations, restructuring, corporate finance, negotiation, coaching, and leadership.

 

“Lawyers today need ongoing training and the opportunity for professional growth to keep pace with the rapid changes in the legal environment,” said Miller. “This program will give both new and established professionals the tools and knowledge they require to address the challenges they face in serving clients and leading within their organizations.”

 

To meet specific organizational needs, the program will also develop custom education courses in close collaboration with clients. The subject matter, duration, and format of these programs will be tailored to meet the objectives of the client and enrolled participants.

Open enrollment seminars and conferences will be offered on topics of broad interest to a large section of the legal community, including legislative updates, changes in case law, and emerging areas of practice.

 

Edward Morrison, the Charles Evans Gerber Professor of Law and a leading expert in bankruptcy law and law and economics, will serve as the Executive Education faculty adviser. “Our faculty members are on the cutting edge of legal thought and practice, and we believe their insights and knowledge will be a tremendous asset to Executive Education participants,” he said.

 

A November seminar, “What to Expect After the Election,” will examine shifts in the legal landscape under a new presidential administration, addressing potential changes across a variety of areas, including environmental, immigration, and regulatory law. Led by Michael B. Gerrard, the Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice and director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, the intensive seminar will prepare attorneys to advise their clients on the practical application of new laws and policies—as well as new approaches to existing legal issues.

 

Cybersecurity will be the focus of another fall offering, led by Matthew C. Waxman, a national security law expert who has held senior positions at the U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, and National Security Council. Waxman, the Liviu Librescu Professor of Law, chairs the Law School’s Roger Hertog Program on Law and National Security and co-chairs the Cybersecurity Center at the Columbia Data Science Institute. Aimed at lawyers, corporate officers, and business leaders, this program will give attendees an understanding of the types of cybersecurity threats they and their organizations face, and will provide practical tools for preparing and responding to cyberattacks.

 

The Law School has partnered with Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies to offer an introductory three-week summer course on constitutional law designed exclusively for high school students who are interested in government and the role the courts play in interpreting our nation’s laws. The online course will be taught by Professor Jamal Greene, a leading constitutional law scholar, who will review the basic structure of the Constitution, the powers it grants to the federal government, and some of the basic rights protections it provides to individuals.