Law Schools as Agents of Change and Justice Reform in the Americas

27 Pages Posted: 23 Dec 2015

See all articles by Jon L. Mills

Jon L. Mills

University of Florida Levin College of Law

Tim McLendon

University of Florida Levin College of Law

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.

undefined

Suggested Citation

Mills, Jon L. and McLendon, Tim, Law Schools as Agents of Change and Justice Reform in the Americas (2008). 20 Fla. J. Int'l L. S5 (2008), University of Florida Levin College of Law Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2706835 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2706835

Jon L. Mills

University of Florida Levin College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 117625
Gainesville, FL 32611-7625
United States

Tim McLendon (Contact Author)

University of Florida Levin College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 117625
Gainesville, FL 32611-7625
United States

0 References

    0 Citations

      Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

      Paper statistics

      Downloads
      61
      Abstract Views
      885
      Rank
      716,869
      PlumX Metrics