Student & Alumni Profiles

What I Did Before Law School:

I was practicing as a corporate attorney-at-law in a law firm in Switzerland. My specialties were corporate law and litigation. Furthermore I was a part-time lecturer at the University of Zurich Law School for civil procedure and bankruptcy law.

Why I Chose Penn Law:

There are many reasons:
1. It is one of America’s top schools.
2. It’s an Ivy League school that has tradition and a cultural background.
3. Since the law school is rather small, you are able to know all the LL.M. Students. This makes is very friendly and gives a familial ambiance.
4. Philadelphia is a nice city for students with a lot of fancy restaurants. You have furthermore the possibilities to go to NYC in one and a half hour by train.

My Best Experience at Penn Law:

The International Afternoon which the LL.M. students organized for the whole Law School. Many LL.M. countries presented original food of their country and a lot of handicrafts. There was also original music from each country.

Professor Who Influenced Me Most:

Professor William Tyson influenced me most because his teaching abilities were great. He was able to explain a difficult problem in Securities Regulation in an easy manner. Besides that, his lectures were very humorous, intellectual and gave also a broad background in fields beyond the American Legal System. Although Securities Regulation with Prof. Tyson is very demanding and time consuming, you not only learn Securities Regulation, you also learn how the Americans are doing business.

My Favorite Course:

Securities Regulation, because I learned a lot about the securities industries which is important for a Swiss corporate lawyer. I liked corporations and merger & acquisitions as well, because I got new inspirations for my work as a practicing lawyer. Another favorite course was International Litigation which I needed for my academic research.

My Favorite Philadelphia Moment:

I preferred to listen to a classical concert of the Philadelphia Orchestra which plays in the Kimmel Center. It’s still one of the world’s finest classical orchestras. Furthermore I liked all the fancy restaurants in Philadelphia where I have had great dinners with my other colleagues of the LL.M. program.

What I'm Most Proud Of:

I’m very proud that I now understand a little bit more about the American Legal System, the American style of life and that I made a little progress with my English language.

My Extracurricular Activities at Penn Law:

As a member of the culture committee of our LL.M. association, a colleague and I organized with a trip to the Kimmel Center to hear the Opera. In addition I took some trips with my LL.M. colleagues to New York, Washington DC, Lancaster (Amish Country), Pittsburgh (House of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater), Niagara-Falls, Killington Mountains (skiing).

My Favorite Place or Activity on the University Campus:

My favorite place is the library of the Law School and Locust Walk on the Campus. Usually I’m studying at the library which is very enjoyable. You meet there all your LL.M. colleagues and some J.D. students. Furthermore, I like to walk on Locust Walk with all the historical buildings of the University of Pennsylvania, and I try to imagine how the time was at the beginning of the American history. Since I’m not sports fan, I don’t use the very new fitness facilities on the Penn Campus, but I heard that they are really excellent.

Do I Feel Alone When I’m Here as a Foreign Student?:

No, never. Already at the first day you meet many students who are in the same situation like you. There will be a lot of LL.M. students who become close friends to you. Furthermore there are LL.M. parties for socializing. And last but not least, if you need help, the Director of the Graduate Program will support you.

Previous

Next