Law Schools as Agents of Change and Justice Reform in the Americas
20 Fla. J. Int'l L. S5 (2008)
27 Pages Posted: 23 Dec 2015
Date Written: 2008
Abstract
As the legal community of the Americas evolves, the role of law schools and legal education must change with it. New realities of globalizing commerce and communication dictate that the legal profession understand and deal with emerging legal relationships. Wherever the future may lead with regard to the various treaties between nations in this hemisphere, like CAFTA, NAFTA, the FTAA, Mercosur, and others, it is obvious that the Americas are drawing irrevocably closer.
How will law schools participate and react? There is, in my opinion, an obligation for universities and particularly law schools, to be involved in society and promote social justice. This concept is not alien to Latin America. The challenge is to be in harmony with contemporary society and yet be a force for change at the same time. However, the opinion that colleges should be agents of change is not universal. Some law schools take a more limited view that schools should simply prepare law students to become lawyers, judges, or some other type of legal professional. But even this more limited perspective should recognize the contemporary environment and the coming changes. This article discuss how law schools in our hemisphere can better prepare lawyers for the future, work together more effectively, and promote improvements in the justice systems.
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