A group of law students had the chance to take part in a unique learning experience last week at the third annual Case Western Cayman Seminar.
It’s the third year a select group of 19 third and fourth-year law students from Case School of Law, a part of Case Western Reserve University, made the trip from Cleveland, Ohio to gain a rare first-hand look at offshore business law in action.
‘They had a chance to hear distinguished speakers from a range of backgrounds discuss the ins and outs of offshore business and apply that knowledge to their education,’ said professor Andrew Morris, director of the law school’s Center for Business Law and Regulation.
He said the decision to offer a course in Cayman was easy to make.
‘Aside from the weather, of course, Cayman is an ideal place to hold this seminar as the students have unprecedented access to members of the leading offshore law jurisdiction,’ he said.
Spaces are limited for the course, which runs a week. It includes three pre-classes taken before the students leave and four days of classes on-island, and adds up to a three-credit course capped with a graded group project.
And while it is technically a law course, this year the class included two MBA students as well.
Things have come a long way since the first session was held, and the group’s leaders say this year has been the best by far.
‘The first year, we were literally walking around downtown in our suits, knocking on doors in the hope that someone would talk to us,’ said professor Craig Boise.
This year, students heard from speakers like Ritz-Carlton president Simon Cooper, William Walker, Joanna Lawrence of the Portfolio of Finance and Economics, and Judge Kipling Douglas, legal advisor for the Financial Reporting Authority.
In an educational system traditionally based on case studies, many law students can graduate without having laid eyes on real legal documents or experienced a case first-hand.
The professors say the course offers an opportunity for students to get real world transaction experience, and for those seeking work in the offshore legal sector, that experience can make or break a job application, a benefit the students soundly appreciate.
‘We are so grateful for the warm welcome we have received from all sectors of the finance and law community, and especially William Walker who has introduced us to so many people here,’ said Mr. Boise.
‘Needless to say, we’re really looking forward to doing this again next year,’ he said.
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