Severine Loew, Germany, LL.M., 2011
Transaction Lawyer, Mergers & Acquisitions Team at Linklaters, Frankfurt Office

I am now working as transaction lawyer in the Mergers & Acquisitions team at the Frankfurt office of Linklaters, which is one of the largest British law firms with offices around the world.  I am sure my LL.M. degree from Wake Forest help me secure that job.

Martin Rinscheid, Germany, LL.M., 2009
Intern for a Frankfurt District Attorney as part of his legal residency

I chose Wake because I did not want to be one anonymous LL.M. student among many. The smallness of the program and the fact of me being the only German lay the grounds for a complete integration into the law school community and the interaction with American J.D. students. I roomed with two of the latter, studied and went to class with them, we played intramurals together and went out at night. Paired with the rigorous academics, I got the most out of it. The acceptance of Wake’s program in the professional world was demonstrated to me at the annual NYU job fair where employers were very much impressed by the concept of not hauling in tons of international students but instead making sure they integrate into the J.D. community.

Martin wrote an article for The Hearsay, the WFU School of Law’s newspaper, about his experiences learning America’s common law system and studying in a different environment.

Francesco Ferrini, Italy, LL.M., 1998
Attorney, member of the legal network Studio Legale Iuraplus

The legal and professional education that I received at Wake Forest pops up often in my mind to give me guidance in many occassions. Dean Montaquila’s teaching and that of the other law professors at WF have always, and will continue to be, very important in my legal profession. The challenge of the LLM program at Wake Forest University is invaluable. I will always remember the humanity, the skills, and experience of the faculty members and staff.

Judith S. Haensel, Germany, LL.M., 2008
Attorney, BridgehouseLaw

“Wake is great!”  After having been at Wake for 1 ½ years now, I find this a great statement to describe Wake Law in a nutshell.  Starting off as an LL.M. at Wake, the small, family-like atmosphere in and outside of the classroom enabled me to gain a broad overview of the American law and legal system.   The hardworking academic community, coupled with the vibrant campus life, has given me the opportunity to study hard, but also become part of the law school community.  Extracurricular activities such as being the LL.M. representative to the Student Bar Association, and an active volunteer for Women in Law have been rewarding experiences for me.  If you are looking for an excellent education in a supportive and diverse environment as well as faculty and focus in many different areas of law, Wake Law is the right place for you!

Stefano Boatto, Italy, Visiting International Researcher, Spring 2008
Attorney, Studio Legale Maggiolo, Reis, Venice

Stefano comments on his participation in the LLM program’s annual visit to the U.S. Supreme Court, “Coming from a civil law country, attending the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearings was a privilege since it amounted to going to the heart of the American legal system. Unlike European Constitutional Courts, the U.S. Supreme Court embodies the law making-process at all different levels of state and federal government. As soon as I arrived in the courtroom I was overcome by the notion of how powerful the justices are in molding a law or legal theory. In other words, my visit to the Court made me truly appreciate the concept of American law as ‘living law.’”

Jennifer Kalcevic, Germany, LL.M., 2005
In-House Counsel, Cosmetics Team, General Legal Department, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

For me the program was immensely valuable in so many ways: I received a great education in U.S. law, learned about the legal systems of my colleagues and gained insight into many different cultures. But above all, I treasure the friends I found from all around the world. Even now, after several years, they are still an active part of my life and I think they always will be – despite the great distances between us.

Pascal Kremp, Germany, LL.M., 2003
Associate, Labor & Employment Law, DLA Piper UK LLP

I had a fantastic time at Wake Forest. I met many impressive people from all over the world that I would have not met otherwise. Also, I have learned a lot in the courses and gained a significant insight into the U.S. legal system. The teachers tried to challenge us, which was so different from the German system. Due to the international experience I gained at Wake Forest, I am today in a much better position to serve the clients of our international law firm.

Michael Hoffmann, Germany, LL.M., 1999
Senior Counsel, NXP Semiconductors

My experience gained at Wake Forest proved very useful when negotiating international corporation contracts in my law practice …. I love to hear the news from fellow LL.M.s whenever I receive the newsletter. I still remember the time at Wake Forest as very precious.

Klemens Keferböck: Vienna, Austria, LL.M., 2001
Associate General Counsel, MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik

I had a great time. Attending Wake Forest University did not only enhance my professional but also my personal skills. The classes at law school were small (as was the LL.M. program) and the faculty members highly professional. Everybody at the university was very helpful and it was easy not only to mingle with the other LL.M. students but also with the American JD students. Without spending the year at Wake Forest and having this intellectual and cultural experience I would not be who I am now.

Frederic Joly: Paris, France, LL.M., 2000
Attorney, Legal Department, Bouygues Telecom TF1

I often think about Wake Forest and about my year spent in the United States. I remember Professor Palmiter saying in his first welcoming speech to the incoming LL.M. students in 1999, “This year at Wake Forest University will change your life.” It certainly did, offering me a high-quality education, giving me the opportunity to meet smart and open-minded persons, and above all providing me with an experience and memories I will keep in my heart forever.

Ketti Kvartskhava: Tibilisi, Georgia, LL.M., 1999
Partner, Director of Legal Practices, BLC (Business & Legal Consulting)

I had a wonderful experience being LLM student at WFU. The year of 1999 was one of the most useful and memorable years in my life, which I shall never forget. After getting acquainted with similar programs at the other schools, I am absolutely convinced that WFU’s LLM Program is one of the best in the country, that both by methodology and by academic excellence it deserves to be distinguished.

Dr. Alexander Roth: Berlin, Germany, LL.M., 2001
Criminal Law Department, Federal Department of Justice in Berlin

After interviewing at the New York University International Student Internship Program, Dr. Roth reported that law firms were “very impressed by the way the Wake Forest LL.M. program works, so to say to integrate the students in the J.D. classes. This gives our school a certain advantage against bigger schools where 200 LL.M.s have their own classes. All employers focus not so much on the specific subjects we take, but on the possibility to learn about the basic legal system and to get to know the American culture and people, which can be accomplished in mixing LL.M. students with J.D. students.”

Rezarte Vukatana: Tirana, Albania, LL.M., 2004
Ph.D. Candidate and Participant in Research Studentship 2009 Project at the University of Westminster

Regarding my memories on my Wake Forest experience, I can just say that they will be always with me and yes it was an amazing experience.

Sabrina B. Zancan: Venice, Italy/New York, LL.M., 1998
Pavis & Harcourt Law Firm

After graduating from the LLM Program in 1998, I came to New York to take the New York bar, which I passed. I started working for Pavia & Harcourt, a New York based law firm with a strong international interest, primarily focused on Europe, especially France and Italy. I work in the general corporate department and I also do Intellectual Property Law and some international estate work. I am a member of the European Affairs Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. I have been living happily in Manhattan since May 1998, and I keep traveling (Peru, Morocco and Italy were my destinations) and I keep in touch with the LLMs of my year.