Originally from World Arbitration and Mediation Review

A Student Perspective on the Need for International Law and a
Global Perspective
by
Joshua Fellenbaum
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Second Year Student
I was awarded a scholarship from the International Law Students
Association and the Dispute Resolution Institute of Hamline University
School of Law to study this summer at Queen Mary School of Arbitration
in London, England. The certificate program in Global Arbitration Law
and Practice: National and Transborder Perspectives provided me with an
unparalleled opportunity to further my previous international experience
by speaking with leading scholars of the transborder arbitration bar, by
living and studying with law students and young lawyers from around the
world, and by learning about the salient aspects of arbitration.
Queen Mary is considered the leading teaching and research center
for international arbitration in the world. During the month-long program,
not only were the professors leading scholars of the transborder arbitration
bar, but also partners in global law firms who practice international
arbitration. Because arbitration is a private and nonjudical trial procedure
for adjudicating disputes, learning from partners in global law firms
provided each participant with a unique practical insight into the field of
arbitration.
Also, each professor was more than willing to assist participants by
offering networking contacts or career advice. One professor attended a
conference at the Hague and brought my resume to share with an
international arbitrator from New York. Another professor, who is the
editor-in-chief of a leading arbitration and mediation publication,
encouraged participants to submit articles for publication. Other
professors provided networking contacts at various arbitral institutions and
one professor who is a leading international arbitrator in a global law firm,
provided networking advice for participants interested in pursuing
international arbitration within the oil and gas industry. As a result of
having direct contact with leading arbitrators, a number of participants
have solidifed positions within the field of arbitration and have arranged to
publish articles in leading arbitration publications.
The intense program covered many aspects of arbitration including
a foundation course on U.S. arbitration law. This course examined various