Debt’s Dominion: A History of Bankruptcy Law in America, an excerpt from a new book by Prof. David A. Skeel, Jr.

The Law School, together with Wharton, offers opportunities to address hard questions of management in the public sector – questions about the financing and delivery of social services in a free market economy, the application of outcome measures to social service agencies, and the growth of ‘public-private partnerships.’

There are many ways that Law students can augment their legal studies through Wharton. The Law School and Wharton offer a joint program enabling students to earn J.D./M.B.A. degrees in four years rather than the five it would take to earn the two degrees sequentially. In addition, students can obtain a Certificate in Business Management at Wharton.

Russell Bjorkman L'01, WG'01

Russell Bjorkman L’01, WG’01 earned degrees from Wharton and the Law School this Spring before joining Freshfields as an associate in the London office.

“When I applied to graduate schools, I knew that I wanted to enter the J.D./M.B.A. program,” Bjorkman recalls. “And, having studied at the University of Southern California, I wanted to experience the Northeastern part of the U.S. Because of those two reasons, and the fantastic chance that Penn afforded me, I came to Penn.” Bjorkman took advantage of opportunities allowed by the joint degree program. During the summers between years of law school, Bjorkman worked in the area of tax law for Exxon in Houston, studied Russian at Moscow State University, and worked in the Hong Kong and London offices of the law firm Linklaters. Last summer, he traveled for five weeks in China through a Wharton program before working for McKinsey in London.

“The two degrees both provide such important and complementary skills,” he observes. “The law degree, which incidentally is the one that I would choose if I had to pursue only one degree, provides incredible training in critical thinking, analyzing from both perspectives, arguing with other intelligent people, differing respectfully with those in a position of authority, and paying attention to detail. The M.B.A. degree helps develop the skills of dealing with internationally diverse co-workers and environments, thinking ahead of the pack, working in teams, and presenting yourself and your work.”

Kimberly Chainey

Kimberly Chainey, a third-year student specializing in corporate law, chose to attend Penn because of the strength of both the Law and Wharton programs. Before entering Penn, the Harvard graduate worked for Procter & Gamble’s Customer Business Development Division.