3. International trade of legal services has grown over the past decade as a result of a global-
izing economy. The United States (U.S.) exported $1.834 trillion and imported $2.329 tril-
lion in goods and services in 2010. Many of the transactions underlying these statistics un-
doubtedly involved both foreign and domestic lawyers, so it should come as no surprise to
learn that there is a significant amount of international trade in legal services. During
2009, the U.S. exported $7.2 billion and imported $1.7 billion in legal services. Lawyers are
increasingly faced with complex international transactions involving multiple jurisdictions,
and specialized training is becoming more critical. Consequently, the demand for foreign-
educated law graduates and business professionals has increased in order to build a great-
er understanding of the legal systems in different countries.
As the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil is a fundamental player in the regional and
global economy across numerous dimensions. The United States engages in international
trade with Brazil and promotes important issues such as global financial stability, climate
change and reform of multilateral institutions. However, it is imperative to recognize that
the law is the basis for every economic activity and essential when dealing with interna-
tional trade and business.
The primary obstacle in trading legal services between the U.S. and Brazil is represented
by the national character of the law and legal education of each country. The law of a
country is rooted in its culture and customs. Therefore, with globalization, there is a high-
er demand for an understanding and integration of cultures that can only be achieved
through international education and training. The United States and Brazil Legal Education
Exchange Program prepares students and professionals to more successfully work in an
international context, thus improving current practices in both countries .
LEEP JANUARY 2012
4. Willian Byrnes IV Carla McEwen
Dean Associate LEEP Director
Thomas Golden Jason Fiske
LEEP Professor LEEP Professor
LEEP JANUARY 2012
5. Steve Semeraro
Scott McEwen
LEEP Professor LEEP Professor
Patrick Meyer Catherine Deane
LEEP Research Professor LEEP Research Professor
LEEP JANUARY 2012
6. Elizabeth McCuskey Eric Ganci
LEEP Professor LEEP Professor
LEEP : “Thank You “ to Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Event Planner
Joel Wingelman
LEEP JANUARY 2012
7. San Diego Superior Court maintains strong ties to the com-
munity and promotes knowledge about how California’s
system of justice works, the court is better able to fulfill its
mission of administering justice in a way that is both acces-
sible and understandable to the public.
The LEEP participants visited the San Diego Superior
Courts and received a welcome full of guidance from Julie
Myres
LEEP JANUARY 2012
9. “The LEEP participants also had a chance to get a signed copy of the new Amazon
best-selling book "American Sniper," co-authored by Brazil program adjunct profes-
sor Scott McEwen. It tells the story of former Navy Seal Chris Kyle, the most lethal
sniper in U.S. military history.” Chris Saunders
LEEP JANUARY 2012
12. Brazilian Attorneys Head Home
Denice Menard
Communications Coordinator
“On Thursday, January 26, a group of 52 Brazilian attorneys said “farewell,” to TJSL after being the
second group to take part in the three-week U.S.-Brazil Legal Education Exchange Program (LEEP).
LEEP gives the attorneys an education in the ways of the American legal system, which is very differ-
ent from the system in their native Brazil.
At the closing ceremony, Associate Dean for Graduate & Distance Education Programs William Byrnes
asked the entire group to give the Director of the Brazilian Program, Carla McEwen, a big round of ap-
plause. McEwen, also a Brazilian attorney who now lives in the U.S., was instrumental in setting up the
program.
“Everyone owes Carla a huge debt of gratitude,” Dean Byrnes said. “She is the person who spearhead-
ed and organized this entire endeavor.”
"We fulfilled our mission” McEwen said. “I am happy the students benefitted from the program, and we
have a sense of accomplishment that the exchange program went so well.”
On their final day of the program, the Brazilians were treated to a farewell luncheon on the 8th floor
and given LEEP certificates of completion. Dean Byrnes also treated them to Louisiana-style king
cake, that he ordered direct from New Orleans, to celebrate Mardi Gras, or Carnival as it is called in
some countries.
Many of the Brazilian attorneys expressed their satisfaction with LEEP and said that what they had
learned about the American legal system would be helpful in their legal practice. Others thanked TJSL
for being such a good host and for providing such a beautiful environment in which to learn. One LEEP
participant added that he had taken 396 photos while here for the program and was looking forward to
returning to California again soon.
Professor A. Thomas Golden, who is TJSL’s Director of Graduate Law Degree Programs in American
Legal Studies and International Trade and taught Fundamentals of US System to the Brazilian attor-
neys, encouraged them to stay in touch with TJSL and visit again in the future.
The first group of LEEP attorneys came to TJSL in July 2011 as part of the exchange program that will
send TJSL students to Brazil later this year.
The next group will arrive at TJSL in June 2012.”
Denice Menard
LEEP JANUARY 2012
13. Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Legal Education Exchange Program
January 2012
Honors :
Deputy District Attorney David Greenberg
LEEP JANUARY 2012
15. Legal Education and Exchange Program
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
1155 Island Ave. San Diego
California 92101
LEEP Department
Contact: :
Carla McEwen
leep@tjsl.edu
mcewenc@tjsl.edu
(619) 961—4343
Www.tjsl.edu/graduate/leep
LEEP JANUARY 2012