Hi, guys.

I am an east asian laywer who is now preparing for 2008-2009 llm. I am currently in litigation in my firm and also have several years of experience in tax, real estate & land use.
My situation is that My firm wants me to focus mainly on International Arbitration field when in US and the future. So i need to find a good arbitration program.

Recently I heard that as far as International Arbitration is concernd Columbia is definately the stongest. Is that true?
Moreover, Could you recommend some good LLM program to specialize in International Arbitration (or Alternative Dipsute Resolution) in US? How about other great schools like Upenn, NYU, Duke, Cornell, Berkeley, Michigan, Northwestern, Georgetown etc?

Any comments or advice are truly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Dear Nate,

I am in the exactly same situation. I am a litigation lawyer and I would like to pursue specialization in International Arbitration. I' ve heard that Columbia is the best in this niche, but I've just heard that, it was not sth official... I know nothing about other Universities. To be honest with you, I think arbitration is not a big field, so it is going to be difficult to find a LL.M. course with an arbitration concentration. Therefore, I will pursue other specialization, such as corporate law, and take one or two courses in arbitration. I am not sure, but I think that 2 couses in this field would be enough. I got admissions on Michigan, Chicago and NYU, and still waiting for CLS and HLS. If I had to take a decision right now, I would go to Chicago...

Does anybody have some inputs on this...

I agree with Rio-Brazil. I have experience in national and international arbitration, and the courses related to those matters are just a procedural stuff. There are a few rules to know and thats it. The most important thing is to learn the substantial law (commercial law, securities, corporations, etc.) in order to become a counsel or arbitrator in international arbitration

On this specific subject, I would recommend the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

If you wanna a special place for International Arbitration, than come to study with Professor Sylacuse the Head of the Arbitration Tribunal at the World Bank and chief of negotiations at the Harvard Law School.

Also, the university has a long history on it and a club just for this topic.

See ya,

ML