The Visiting International Scholars Program

Firm integration | Working experience | Requirements | Former visiting scholars | Contact us

The business of law today is global, and Crowell & Moring prides itself on being able to provide its clients with legal assistance and advice no matter where in the world their project or dispute. We have represented clients in numerous countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Middle East, in matters related to several practices, such as cross-border corporate transactions, international trade, IP, environmental law, international dispute resolution and antitrust. Of course, that level of service requires us to have a network of law firms across the globe on whom we can count to provide the expertise and personal service our clients expect and deserve. A key part of developing our relationships with foreign law firms with whom we partner on international transactions and disputes is our Visiting International Scholars Program (VISP). Every year, Crowell & Moring employs two Scholars to join our firm for 9 months to work closely with our permanent attorneys to strengthen our worldwide relationships and capabilities, both during and after their stay with us.

Firm integration
Our VISP welcomes talented attorneys from all around the world with varied backgrounds and interests, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. During the period that the Scholars work at our firm they have the opportunity to rotate among two or three different groups of their interest. This rotation allows the Scholars to gain a more comprehensive knowledge of distinct practices carried out by the firm, as well as to intensify their contact with as many lawyers as possible, providing them a thorough experience of how law is practiced at a major U.S. law firm.

In addition, we have a commitment to completely integrate Scholars with the activities carried out by respective practice groups, inviting Scholars to participate in group meetings, lunches and retreats. Scholars can also take part in the firm's training programs, which have included workshops and seminars covering a broad range of interesting topics. We encourage Scholars to attend these events and to contribute to the life of the firm, getting involved to as many activities as possible within the firm and the surrounding community, including pro bono work.

Working experience
Scholars are mostly assigned short-term projects that will allow them to experience a variety of exciting matters while they get to know the styles and personalities of the different practice groups. Some examples of recent projects include:

• Participating in a mock arbitration at the APEC Workshop on International Investment Agreements, held at the World Bank;
• Developing a pro bono initiative aiming to assist U.S. NGOs and charity entities that undertake international activities in complying with the laws enforced by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control;
• Writing an article – later published – with one of our partners about a new energy regulation enacted by the Scholar’s home country;
• Giving a presentation to the firm about the environmental legal framework of the Scholar’s home country and the country's expected environmental legislation, future trends, and potential business opportunities;
• Reviewing relevant information required by the US antitrust authority, which allowed the Scholar to have contact with attorneys from the C&M New York and LA offices;
• Presenting to the our corporate group strategies on doing business in the Scholar’s home country;
• Leading the organization of a webinar between our attorneys and a big conglomerate focusing on the evolving regulatory landscape for companies seeking to capitalize on the business opportunities presented by the passage of the U.S.-India nuclear treaty;
• Participating in a Mediation Advocacy Training by NITA.

Our goal is that Scholars return to their country with a thorough understanding of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. But most importantly, that the working experience Scholars have with us strengthen their skills and contribute to their success. Ultimately, we expect that when Scholars leave our firm, this does not represent the end of their experience with us, but instead it the beginning of a long-term relationship that will render a long-lasting personal and professional relationship with us.

Dates and Requirements
The application date for 2010/2011 VISP is 1-31 March 2010. Any applications submitted before or after that period will not be considered. Please note that the 2009/2010 VISP has already been filled; do NOT write in or apply for this year’s program.

To be eligible for the VISP in 2010/2011, you must meet all of the following requirements in February 2010:

• Be enrolled in an LLM program;
• Have at least two years of legal work experience from your home country;
• Have been affiliated with a law firm, company or governmental organization in your home country immediately prior to commencing the LLM and intend to return to that same law firm, company or governmental organization upon your return;
• Possess first semester LLM grades of a high level; and
• Speak and write English to a high level.

Former visiting scholars
We are proud to introduce the talented attorneys who have worked with us as Scholars and hope to have your biography posted here in the future!

Contact us
If you would like to know more about the VISP, please contact jcmarin@crowell.com. We will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have about the Program or our firm.