Ana Luisa Gordillo, LLM 1995 (Guatemala)

"I graduated in 1995 from the LLM graduate program. Since 1996, I worked as the General Counsel of Banco Citi in Guatemala, and now I have incorporated as a senior associate of a regional law firm in Guatemala (Consortium).

I am the professor of Civil Law (obligations and contracts) at the Universidad Francisco Marroquin, one of the top tier universities in Central America."

Agustin Parise, LLM 2006 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Why did you decide to obtain an LLM?

• I received my LLB degree at the Universidad de Buenos Aires and practical legal training at the National Judicial Branch and in various law firms, but always knew that a global perspective was necessary to achieve quicker and more complete results in any area of work or study. Believing that law is a way to reach positive social change, both in my country and worldwide, I looked for an international experience that would help me reach a deeper legal knowledge and clearer understanding of the role of international players in Argentina.

What factors did you consider in choosing an LLM program?

• I wanted to improve my academic and professional skills and to study in the United States. The main factors I looked at in LLM programs were the school’s location and standards; the skills of the faculty; the tuition and living expenses; the activities and resources of the main university campus; and the area’s cultural and social life.
  My attraction to LSU Law was that Louisiana is the only civil law jurisdiction in the United States and one of the few places in the world where the common law and continental Roman systems cohabitate. The school has a rigorous "bijural" curriculum, a true "melting pot" of law that no other school offered. Lastly, they have a small LLM program, so each student receives a great deal of personal attention to develop their own course of study.

How would you describe your time at LSU Law?

• Once at LSU, I could choose any course offered each semester, which made my decisions very free and flexible to reach the required 26 credit hours. Most courses are two to three credits; students typically take four courses each semester. The courses were very enriching, with faculty members open to in-class and after-class discussions.
  Rooted in the civilian tradition, my main interest area, LSU gave me the opportunity to acquire new research techniques crossing the disciplinary boundaries between the common law and civil law. To meet the writing requirement, I wrote a thesis. The guidance and resources I needed were always at hand.
  Socially, both the Law Center and the main campus were very receptive to LLM students, organizing cultural events (lectures, symposiums, debates) and recreational events (visits to museums, football games, pick-up soccer games, movie nights, international cultural meetings). The International Cultural Center and the International Hospitality Foundation were great resources to meet local Louisianians and other international students.

How have you found your postgraduate experience?

• The LLM added many memorable human experiences to my life, including new friends and cultural learning. Professionally, I acquired new tools to understand legal issues with a broader perspective and produce higher quality scholarly work, both in English and Spanish, even publishing an article in a U.S. law journal. Once I complete my doctorate in law (SJD) and graduate studies in history, I will pursue an academic place within the global legal community and know I will draw heavily from my LLM experiences forever.
  

Agustin Parise is a Research Associate at the Center of Civil Law Studies, LSU Law Center. He has published numerous articles in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States, and Uruguay. He is the coordinator of the Digest Online Project, making the Digest of 1808, ancestor of the Louisiana Civil Code, accessible online: www.law.lsu.edu/digest.

Julieta Marotta, LLM 2007 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Julieta Marotta has worked at the Louisiana Civil Justice Center since June 2007. She deals cases from people affected by the recent hurricanes and legal issues in the State of Louisiana. She also worked as a law clerk in the Law Firm of Oscar Shoenfelt, III (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) from July 2007 – June 2008. During her LLM, Julieta Marotta worked at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center as Research Assistant for Professor Paul Baier and Professor Stuart Green. She translated “Mintiendo, Engañando y Robando” by Professor Stuart Green; and “Señor Juez Blackmun: Reflexiones desde Cours Mirabeau” by Professor Paul Baier (English into Spanish), published in the Essays in Honor of Saul Litvinoff (Claitor’s 2008).

In December 2007, Julietta married Agustin Parise (LLM 2006), presently Research Associate at the LSU Center of Civil Law Studies.

(Photo: from left to right, Julieta Marotta, Agustin Cerolini, Claire Debellefontaine, Agustin Parise)

Dominik Gruendger, LLM 2007 (Berlin, Germany)

Which were your best experiences at LSU?

• A definite highlight was the dedication of my Professors: I have never seen before Professors meeting on weekends until late with their students and working night shifts to help. Also, I will never forget our Professors cooking for us Louisiana specialties and inviting us to their home. The Civil Law Center's frequent invitations to workshops discussing cutting edge legal issues with leading scholars made it special to be an LLM student.
  

Has your experience at LSU opened possibilities for the future?

• It was certainly helpful to extend my stay and get a job offer from an East Coast based law firm.

How was your experience with your LLM colleagues?

• I met outstanding lawyers and great people from all over the world many of which have become close friends.

Why did you decide to come to LSU?

• Louisiana's bijural system and the LSU law library as one of the best in the US provided excellent conditions for my research project in comparative law. Also, LSU offered classes in antitrust, comparative corporate law, law & economics, and biotechnology to which I was particularly attracted. And I wanted to experience the life of one of the most beautiful campuses in the US, not to mention great college football. Finally, I love Louisiana's hospitality, its Cajun cuisine and the amazing subtropical climate.

(Photo: Dominik Gruendger appear at the top right with a white shirt, with other members of the class of 2007)

Nizar Fadhlaoui, LLM 2007 (Lyon, France)

During his LL.M. year at LSU, Nizar Fadhlaoui worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Moréteau. He recently announced that he passed the New York Bar and has been made legal director of an import-export company in London. The whole LLM teams feels very proud about his success.

Agustin Cerolini, LLM 2007 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Agustin Cerolini joined the LSU Law Graduate Program to take his commercial law practice to the next level.

• “Three things mainly attracted me to apply to LSU Law: first, Louisiana’s unique bijural law system; second, the financial assistance through scholarships; and, third, the excellent relationship LSU Law has with my law school back in Argentina.”
  

About his LL.M. experiences, Agustin recounts:

• “LSU Law provided me with a broader perspective, not only in the academic aspect of my formation, but also as a person. The experience was much more than what I had ever expected!”

Describing the Graduate Program,

• “my classmates, prestigious colleagues already, are now valuable references for me in their countries; but above all, they are good friends.”

Completing his LLM in international commercial law, Agustin says

• “achieving the LLM degree at LSU Law enabled me to find a position as a foreign associate in one of the most important law firms in the United States.”

Nathalie Banoun, LLM 2005 (Paris, France)

Law Clerk for Judge Byron Hebert at the 15th Judicial District Court, Division "C" (Abbeville, Louisiana) for two years.

Passed the New York State Bar Examination in 2005.

Ana Maria Andronic, LLM 2007 (Bucharest, Rumania)

I am working at an international law firm specialized in Intellectual Property. The firm is headquartered in Brussels and it has offices mainly in Eastern Europe and one contact office in New York. For more information, visit http://www.petosevic.com

I am pleased that I will practice my favourite field and deal with international clients so if you happen to have US clients with IP issues in Romania, you have a contact: you may email me at amandronic@petosevic.com