The St. Mary’s University School of Law and the State of Nuevo León in Mexico formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Sept. 19 in Nuevo León. Dean Patricia Roberts, J.D., and Service Professor of Law Jennifer Stevenson, J.D., Assistant Dean of International Programs, represented St. Mary’s Law at the signing.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to international legal education and cross-border collaboration,” Roberts said. “The world of law is increasingly global, and the ties between Texas and Mexico, particularly Nuevo León with St. Mary’s, the southernmost law school in Texas, have never been stronger. Our proximity and shared interests make this partnership not just logical, but essential for the future of legal practice in our region.”
Mutually beneficial MOU
The partnership includes:
Educational opportunities: Special rates and support for students and lawyers from Nuevo León who pursue their Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in American Legal Studies or other relevant law programs. Under current Texas Bar regulations, LL.M. graduates can take the Texas Bar exam.
Cultural exchange: This partnership will foster a rich exchange of legal knowledge and cultural understanding between the two communities, strengthening the bonds between Texas and Nuevo León.
Economic impact: By facilitating the education and licensing of Mexican lawyers in the U.S., St. Mary’s Law is contributing to the economic cooperation between the regions.
St. Mary’s LL.M. in American Legal Studies is a nine-month program with global credibility. It is open to students who have finished a law degree in a foreign country.
“Our proximity and shared interests make this partnership not just logical, but essential for the future of legal practice in our region.”— Patricia Roberts, J.D., Dean of St. Mary’s Law
“At St. Mary’s, we believe that the best legal education is one that prepares students for the realities of a globalized world,” Roberts said. “This partnership with Nuevo León aligns perfectly with that vision. It will create pathways for Mexican lawyers to expand their practice internationally and for U.S. lawyers to better understand the legal landscape of our southern neighbor.”
Roberts expressed her appreciation of Ernesto Santillan (LL.M. ’24), CEO of VESS Consulting Group, for his group’s assistance in the development of the partnership.
Original source can be found here.