Past Monthly Updates

March 2006-

Dear Friends-

      It is almost Spring Break here at The John Marshall Law School, and JMLS students are busy reviewing and revising as we get closer and closer to final examinations. As the weeks press on, the Canadian Law Society has become more established at John Marshall, and we have great plans for the weeks, months, and years ahead.

     Many Americans are unaware of the impact Canada has on our economy. Every single day, over 1.5 billion American dollars cross the Canadian/American border in the form of bilateral trade. This lifeline between our two countries reflects the strong bond between the US and Canada, and also reflects an awesome opportunity for legal involvement. Young lawyers who are interested in trade, international law, and politics should be aware of the employment opportunities which exist as a result of this economic phenomenon. 

     Along these lines, the Canadian Law Society is planing a great event which will take place the third week in March. We plan to host a panel of legal and political specialists who will speak on the nexus between Canadian legal research, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and opportunities for lawyers in this expanding field.

     Besides hosting the event, the Canadian Law Society is slowly yet surely working to establish itself as a member of the John Marshall Law School. As many of you are aware, it is difficult to be a new organization as resources are scarce, and students may be wary to join an organization which does not have a long history at the school. Students may feel that establishing a new organization takes too much time and effort which could be better spent studying and preparing for examinations.

     These points are quite valid, however, young lawyers should be well rounded, and after establishing a solid GPA/class rank and understanding class materials, law students should peak their heads out of the library and explore legal issues from a hands-on practical approach. As the United States becomes a more globalized country, it becomes more clear and self evident that understanding nations outside our borders is vitally important for young professions regardless of whether you plan to work with International clients in the future.

     It will be difficult, if not impossible to practice law in the future without some understanding of the world outside America's borders. Our organization is dedicated to establish and further JMLS students' understanding of these complex issues. We look forward to the challenges and experiences in the days to come and invite any member of the JMLS community to join us. As we slowly grow, we plan to further a better understand of the global legal community and specifically an appreciation of legal issues which affect our friends to the north.

                                               Warm Regards-

                                              Matthew Apfel

                                              Webmaster JMLS Canadian Law Society