Summer Abroad in Rome, Italy

This course introduces students to fundamental concepts in the field of international dispute resolution. The regulation of transnational interactions between parties is increasingly relevant and important to modern law practice. What are the underlying principles that govern these interactions and how do they operate? What alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are available? The class will include lectures, class participation, simulation exercises, short writing exercises, and guest presentations.

Comparative and Business Torts introduces students to the tort claims most frequently asserted in litigation between businesses and to some of the ways that other legal systems deal with what American law labels “torts.” Among the business torts likely to be addressed are misrepresentation and fraud, intentional interference with contractual relationships, the economic loss rule, the litigation torts, and breach of fiduciary duty and malpractice. Alongside the American material, the course will take up selected comparative topics, which may include how different legal systems address defamation, New Zealand’s decision to replace personal injury tort actions with a national compensation scheme, and other nations’ alleged aversion to tort litigation. The course should interest students wanting to deepen their knowledge of tort law and business litigation as well as those curious about how nations handle legal problems.

Global Legal Perspectives is a 1-credit course that is exclusive to the Rome summer program. This course engages students both inside and outside the classroom to provide a comparative outlook on the similarities and differences between the Italian and American law traditions. The course syllabus accentuates the unconventional comparative analysis aspect of this course, offering in-class lectures that feature guest lecturers and experts in niche legal fields, and incorporating external learning opportunities through experiential class field trips. The course exposes law students to the Italian legal profession and to enables students to gain an appreciation for the Civil Law system and the legal traditions specific to Italy and the European Union. Throughout the program, students are given the invaluable opportunity to become immersed in the Italian culture while participating in professional networking engagements.

Past faculty for this course have included:

Paolo Butturini, Assistant Professor of Business Law, University of Verona

Elisabetta Corapi, Associate Professor in Private Comparative Law, The University of Rome Tor Vergata- Law Department.

Marco Cosentino, LL.M./Avv. at LexLon
Alessandra Gianelli, Professor, Sapienza University of Rome Law School

Francesco Portolano, Founder, Portolano Cavallo

Giulia D’Agnone – Assistant Professor in EU Law at Università degli Studi di Camerino.

This one-credit course provides a progressive and practical training on negotiation and mediation advocacy, offering participants a structured path from foundational negotiation principles to the role of legal professionals in mediation processes. Designed for both law students and Italian legal practitioners, the course does not require prior experience in international negotiation, but introduces key elements relevant to both domestic and cross-border contexts. Delivered across four evening sessions of three hours each, the course combines theoretical input, simulation exercises, and comparative analysis of U.S. and EU legal frameworks, with a final session touching on cross-cultural negotiation insights.