Introduction

• Author: Kevin J. Fandl
• Profession: Director of the Global Legal Education Institute
• Pages: 1-6

Introduction

Chapter 1

1

The legal profession has gone global. Today, even traditional do-

mestic practices, such as tort law, corporate law, and contracts, have

been affected by the growing body of international and foreign law.

This is happening for several reasons. First, legal professionals are

increasingly pursuing legal studies abroad or entering into practice

in fields that encompass multinational law concepts. As practitio-

ners become more familiar with foreign legal concepts, they be-

come more attuned to the changing legal landscape and immerse

themselves in a broad approach to legal problems. They begin to

think creatively, applying theories, concepts, and even case law

from other jurisdictions that may help lend insight, if not effective

resolution, to the legal issues that face their practices. As legal pro-

fessionals around the world become more knowledgeable about

the development of different legal concepts and ideas, they become

more versatile in their practice and more marketable as a result.

Second, the expansion of international trade has driven, to a

large extent, the need to develop multijurisdictional practices. Mod-

ern clients are interested in learning how to expand their businesses

overseas, how to engage in foreign investment, how to leverage

their assets internationally, and how to attract and develop clients

outside of their home country. Export-import businesses, small busi-

nesses sourcing inputs from abroad, and even many e-commerce