Student Interviews
Krystel Abi Habib
Beirut, Lebanon
LL.M. Class of 2011
Q: Tell us something about your hometown or country that most people might not know.
A: The only parliamentary democracy in the Middle East, Lebanon has a special political system that attempts to fairly represent the demographic distribution of over 18 religious groups trying to coexist peacefully in a tiny country.
Q: What initially inspired you to study law?
A: I was always very interested in politics and public policy, and in human rights abuses committed by states. The history of war and injustices that have ravaged my region for the last several decades instilled in me a passion for social justice lawyering.
Q: What motivated you to get an LL.M. degree in the US and at Berkeley Law in particular?
A: I thought it would be a rich combination after having studied in the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. Berkeley has a liberal, laid back approach, where student- teacher rapport is easy to establish, and where you can easily find an arena for free thought and intellectual growth.
Q: What’s been your favorite class here, and why?
A: My human rights clinic work, where I got to work on a real case alongside the lawyers at the Fundación Myrna Mack (FMM), a Guatemalan human rights organization representing family members of victims of forced disappearance during the civil war in Guatemala. The victims’ names appeared in a death squad dossier smuggled out from Guatemala, and the families are seeking to hold the Guatemalan state accountable for the disappearances of their loved ones and for the failure of the state to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The suit is filed in the Inter-American system - the human rights enforcement arm of the Organization of American States (OAS).
Q: What’s your favorite secret (or not-so-secret) place on campus?
A: My favorite place on campus is the faculty club, a redwood structure that kind of looks like a tree house, tucked in amid the trees of the campus. I also love the campanile at night.
Q: What memory of your time here will you carry with you forever?
A: How our LL.M. class first met each other with our name and country tags in Room 110. Having come here as ambassadors of our nations, we leave as ambassadors of this university and the education it has given us. ⇑
Matteo Mazzoni
Bologna, Italy
LL.M. Class of 2011
Q: Where are you from? Tell us something about your hometown or country that most people might not know.
A: I am from Bologna, Italy. The local University of Bologna, according to some, is the oldest of the world; founded in 1088 B.C with the school of law as its first faculty. Bologna is located at the crossing-point of the most important highways and railways in the country. Bologna is also a lively college city, and its history, art, cuisine, music and culture, have made it 2000's European Capital of Culture.
Q: Did you have any initial fears about coming to Berkeley? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?
A: My initial fears were the complexity of legal documents and the notoriously fast pace of the US’s top law schools. I really had to be patient and spend many hours reading dozens of pages every day to keep pace with my classmates. After a while my reading speed and comprehension increased, and all my fears were gone.
Q: What do you find the most challenging about studying US Law?
A: The fact that there is not a clear-cut answer on almost every issue was both frustrating and confusing at the beginning. The universal answer for lawyers should really be “it depends”. I learned how to ponder opposite arguments and outcomes, but it is really hard to understand the common law perspective on issues you thought you could easily solve back home.
Q: When you aren’t studying, what other activities do you most enjoy here?
A: I love being fit, so I dedicated some time to getting back in shape while I was in Berkeley. The RSF gym is a great facility. There I was able to lift weights, swim, and then go running at the nearby track field. You really have to take advantage of having (relatively) more free time here compared to your working days in your home country and get rid of that fat belly you have (or the American food will make it bigger).
Q: What tips can you share with future LL.M. students for having the best possible experience at Berkeley Law?
A: Get ready for one of the most exciting and intense experiences of your life. As you will hear almost everywhere around campus, people don’t sleep much here. That’s what you have to do in order to enjoy your year here as much as possible. ⇑
Elena Geveling
Moscow, Russia
LL.M. Class of 2011
Q: Tell us something about your hometown or country that most people might not know.
A: With almost a thousand years of history and a current economic boom, Moscow is a happening place with something for everyone. An interesting fact about Moscow is that it lies over seven hills. During Stalin's period, a special high-rise building was built on each of these hills, becoming new symbols of Moscow. I graduated from Moscow State University, located in one of these buildings.
Q: What do you like most about being an LL.M. student at Berkeley Law?
A: The LL.M. is a brand that signifies your belonging to a community of lawyers at the forefront of the latest developments in international law, who are agile multi-taskers able to handle complex and multifaceted issues. Being a world-class lawyer requires a world-class education, and an LL.M. degree from a leading School of Law such as Berkeley, opens doors to achieving heights in the field of international law.
Q: What extracurricular activities do you most enjoy here?
A: I liked the opportunity to attend Bankruptcy court hearings held by our Bankruptcy class professor, Judge Jellen. I specialize in bankruptcy and insolvency law in Russia and it was a great opportunity for me to compare the Russian court hearing system with the US one. The Judge invited us to his office, explained the details of the case we were going to attend, showed us around the Bankruptcy court and introduced us to the parties at the hearing. It was very interesting, a real life experience! Also I also enjoyed our trip to New York, organized by Berkeley Law’s Career Development Office, to participate in the NYU job fair and interview with partners from leading law firms.
Q: What’s your favorite secret (or not-so-secret) place on campus?
A: The Hearst swimming pool, which is located on the roof of Hearst Gym and has an amazing view of the Campanile. After classes I usually come here to swim and relax. For me this is the best way to overcome stress, take a break from study and enjoy my free time.
Q: How has Berkeley Law changed you?
A: Berkeley was fuel and spirit for me. Berkeley inspired me to go further and open new doors. I see the world in different colors now and I am happy and proud to share this with the next generation of Berkeley Law students. ⇑
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Chitrrangada Singh
Chandigarh, India
LL.M. Class of 2011
Q: Did you have any initial fears about coming to Berkeley?
A: Not particularly. I would rate the fear level about the same as transferring to a new High School, nothing that can't be overcome through a friendly chat. It helps greatly if you accept your classmates as persons and not nationalities.
Q: What’s been your favorite class here, and why?
A: It has to be a tie between International Business Transactions by Professor Richard Buxbaum and International Organizations, Networks and Domestic Institutions by Professor Katerina Linos. Both classes brought out the best in me. Also, the mediation class by Professor Mary Maclain was really helpful. It was a skill-based class and I wish I had more of that in my undergraduate law degree.
Q: How has your LL.M. experience here shaped you as a lawyer?
A: As an LL.M student at Berkeley Law, I grew to respect the significance of opinions. Learning law in the US is as much about legal analysis, scholarship and performance building as about opinions. As lawyers you are not only expected to have opinions but also to be able to shape and influence those of others. Once you internalize that, you begin to respect the amount of effort that goes into having a sound opinion on an issue. This humbles you as a lawyer and you focus more on being well-prepared with your argument than about forcing debate. This is something that I am happy to bring back home with me.
Q: What tips can you share with future LL.M. students for having the best possible experience at Berkeley Law?
A: The one thing that Berkeley Law teaches you is not to sleep because all of it is going to pass by as a dream. Most LL.M. students will remember this being the best year of their lives. And it is. But what I would advise future LL.M students to do is talk. Talk to your fellow classmates, talk to your professors, talk to your grocer, your housemates, to people who live away, I-Housers, bartenders, quidditch players, research scholars, squash-partners, to all the people who make Berkeley real. You will be making friends to keep for life. ⇑
Jérôme Kommer
Mannheim, Germany
LL.M. Class of 2010
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the US, and at Berkeley Law in particular?
A: I've always been fascinated by the U.S. in general and I like the Californian life style (I spent 5 months in Orange County during high school). I love the diversity and openness.
I chose Berkeley because of its unrivaled reputation in the area of law and technology and because I just love the beautiful campus. The possibilities to learn from experienced practitioners in all fields of technology law and the scholars who write the leading books and articles in this area are just amazing.
Q: What did you like most about being a student at Berkeley Law?
A: The interaction with the other LL.M.s from all over the world was definitely the most enriching and fun experience over here. And of course being able to see the Golden Gate Bridge from campus every (non-foggy) day!
Q: What did you find the most challenging about studying US Law?
A: Adapting to the American way of teaching and discussing the law takes a while. The socratic method and the feeling after class when you ask yourself: Just how exactly am I supposed to solve this legal problem now? After a while, though, you'll figure out where to get the answers.
Q: What was your favorite class here, and why?
A: My favorite class definitely was Video Game Law. It was very challenging, not only because of the decent amount of readings for every class but also because the lawyer who was the instructor is an avid gamer himself and it is really hard to beat his high scores! He brought in a lot of practitioners, game developers, publishers, and other attorneys who work in the area, providing an invaluable insight into all facets of the industry. However, this class is just one example of many more I could have named here, too.
Q: Besides studying law, what other activities did you particularly enjoy here?
A: Watching the sunset from the Lawrence Hall of Science; having a Hefeweizen with my friends at Jupiter; traveling around California and the U.S.
Q: What has surprised you the most about living in Berkeley/the Bay Area?
A: The guy at the BART station painted all red with little horns glued to his forehead (but maybe I should have expected this in Berkeley) and the prices for European cheese at Andronico's.
Q: What advice can you share with other international students who would like to study law in the US?
A: Be prepared to actively engage the J.D.s once you're here. You have to start the conversation! And the most important advice: Enjoy the best time in your life! ⇑
Marta Ligia Garcia
Bogotá, Colombia
Professional LL.M. Class of 2011
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the U.S?
A: There have been huge increases in the number of international relationships between public and privates companies, which look for people capable to deal with foreign clients, investors, governments, and so on. Therefore, from a lawyer’s perspective, to give the best advice and to have the greatest impact, it is necessary to study in an LL.M. program that develops your knowledge of law from an international viewpoint. In particular, I strongly believe that to provide legal services of superior quality, it is mandatory to have a comprehensive understanding not just of your own legal system. The United States provides a unique standard of education of the American legal system, due to the quality of the law schools and faculties based there.
Q: What attracted you the Professional LL.M. program at Berkeley Law?
A: Before discovering the Professional LL.M. program at Berkeley Law I thought I was going to be “left behind”. It was very difficult for me, due to personal difficulties and professional goals, to pursue an academic-year program. I wanted to be able to continue working in my law firm, which is unquestionably one of the most important law firms in Colombia. When I heard about Berkeley’s Professional LL.M. program I thought: “too much to gain and nothing to lose”. The program was especially suited for my situation, allowing me to learn the American Legal System with the most outstanding faculty in one of the best universities in the world, without interrupting my professional career. I can say with confidence that it has been the most enriching experience in my life.
Q: What advice can you share with other international students who would like to study law in the US?
A: My first advice is to have very good English skills. Writing, listening and reading abilities need to be in good shape. As an international LL.M student you are treated no differently from native English speakers. In fact, that is a great advantage of the LL.M program. Second, manage your time well starting from your first moment here, as American legal education is organized to reward this effort. Lastly, you need to be conscientious in the way you discuss your own legal system, so that you can provide a valuable perspective to your professors and classmates. ⇑
Mohammed Al-Khulaifi
Doha, Qatar
LL.M. Class of 2009
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the US, and at Berkeley Law in particular?
A: Progress in Qatar, in areas such as international trade, investment banking, and the oil and gas industries, led to my desire to pursue my graduate degrees in international business law. Specializing in this area of law will be of great benefit to my country as Qatar needs qualified people in all these areas. I chose Berkeley Law School because it has great graduate programs and a high number of prestigious professors.
Q: What did you find the most challenging about studying US Law?
A: Coming from a civil law country where we refer to the codes in most legal questions, I found that the US law system is quite complicated to study in the beginning because law professionals refer to different cases when legal questions occur. This different perspective added to my way of approaching legal problems.
Q: What was your favorite class here, and why?
A: My favorite class was Negotiation. I learnt many important skills in how to be a solid negotiator. This class is also full of practical exercises that allow the student to fully understand the process of this subject.
Q: Has your Berkeley Law LL.M. degree helped you since leaving the program? How?
Absolutely! After finishing my LL.M degree at UC Berkeley, I received many job offers in Qatar. But I decided to start another degree at UC Berkeley since I felt there remains a lot for me still to learn, and many wonderful experiences still ahead.
Q: What advice can you share with other international students who would like to study law in the US?
A: Taking into consideration the strong program, abundance of qualified professors, and the great studying atmosphere, I believe that students from all over the world should pick UC Berkeley as a graduate school for their advanced degrees. In addition, Berkeley is known for its diverse political views and freedom of ideas. For this reason, it can widen a student’s knowledge and horizons in different fields, and can positively influence his or her career and personal life. ⇑
Joseph Ohens
Lagos, Nigeria
Professional LL.M. Class of 2011
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the U.S?
A: I come from Nigeria, a Common Law country; like the U.S., most of our laws are borrowed from Britain. Therefore, the commonality of source shared by the Nigerian and U.S. legal systems was a major factor. The quality and universal high rating for legal education in the United States was another.
Q: What attracted you to the Professional LL.M. program at Berkeley Law?
A: Berkeley Law is renowned as one of the leading law schools in the world; always in the top-ten bracket of reports released annually by reputable rating agencies. I had the desire to benefit from the best legal education available in the United States; of course, with my interest in law and technology, Berkeley Law was my most preferred destination because of its pedigree. The icing on the cake was its unique Professional LL.M. program which gave me the opportunity to keep my job and simultaneously study for my LL.M. over two summers.
Q: What do you like most about being an LL.M. student at Berkeley Law?
A: What I like most as an LL.M. student at Berkeley Law is the invaluable opportunity to be in the same class with lawyers and legal scholars from different parts of the world. Nineteen countries are represented in my class making it a melting-pot of varying experiences and backgrounds. Therefore, apart from the primary academic benefit derivable, the LL.M. class also serves as a forum for global networking for international lawyers and scholars.
Q: Besides studying law, what other activities do you particularly enjoy here?
A: I enjoy playing soccer with a bunch of international students from Europe, Asia and South America as well as touring the Bay Area, San Francisco, and embarking on some interesting adventures to San Diego and Los Angeles. Our visits to U.S. District and Appeal Courts in San Francisco, to hear cases first hand, have been very interesting, too.
Q: What has surprised you most about living in the Bay Area?
A: Berkeley’s weather never stops surprising me! At a time when some other parts of the United States are literally burning at well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Berkeley remains surprisingly cool and temperate in the summer! It makes life much more pleasant than I ever envisaged. Summer can never be better elsewhere! ⇑
Rie Matsumura
Tokyo, Japan
LL.M. Class of 2010
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the US, and at Berkeley Law in particular?
A: I wanted to know more about international law in order to gain better expertise for work, and to prepare for revising current Japanese law. I chose Berkeley because my primary interest is in criminal justice law. Unlike most other law schools in the US, Berkeley Law has a rich Criminal Justice Program including centers, clinics, and many criminal law courses. Also, Berkeley Law has a thesis track option for the LL.M., and I wanted to research the current US legal system in-depth. Although it was tougher than I expected, it was really nice to be able to conduct customized research on subjects that match my interests, which I would not have been able to do in the coursework track. I really appreciated my adviser, and am grateful to Berkeley Law for such a great opportunity.
Q: What has been your favorite class here, and why?
A: Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice, with Prof. Weisselberg. It was a seminar about interrogation. It matched my interests and the professor was really nice. I learned a lot from the reading material, and in the seminar I could exchange opinions with American students. It helped me to think about my way of working and Japanese law, and the professor’s advice was really informative. Even though it was tough for me to voice my opinions in front of JD students, especially at the beginning, eventually I really enjoyed participating in the seminar.
Q: Besides studying law, what other activities did you particularly enjoy here?
A: Being under the sun! Just walking under the sun is very relaxing. Talking with friends from a lot of countries I've never been to is also fun. ⇑
Conradin Cramer
Basel, Switzerland
Professional LL.M. Class of 2011
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the U.S?
A: I wanted to become familiarized with Common Law and to improve my language skills - and I wanted to spend a great time in an international surrounding.
Q: What attracted you to the Professional LL.M. program at Berkeley Law?
A: I was looking for an alternative to a full year program in order to not have to leave behind my work and my clients for a whole year. Besides, the attraction of having two summers in California does not need much more explanation, does it?
Q: What do you like most about being an LL.M. student at Berkeley Law?
A: I like having the chance to get in touch with interesting and interested people from around the world.
Q: What has been your favorite class here, and why?
A: So far my favorite class is Introduction to U.S. Law because it gives me a general understanding of the main principles of American legal thinking.
Q: Who has been your favorite professor here, and why?
A: It is difficult to single out one professor. I was inspired by Professor Guzman who is very good, and - what I find very important - a humorous teacher.
Q: What do you find the most challenging about studying US Law?
A: The legal thinking in the United States differs more from my European approach than I had thought before.
Q: What advice can you share with other international students who would like to study law in the US?
A: Look forward to a great experience and be open minded! ⇑
Beatriz Veiga Carvalho
São Paulo, Brazil
Professional LL.M. Class of 2010
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the US, and at Berkeley Law in particular?
A: In Brazil, I work in the life science areas, as well as with civil and commercial litigation. I have constant contact with foreign clients, mainly multinational companies based in the US, as well as with American law firms. Therefore, pursing a LL.M. degree was essential for the development of my career. The opportunity to study abroad and to learn more about the US Law will give me tools to better understand my clients.
In addition, learning how American lawyers think and approach problems – which is certainly very different from how civil law lawyers do it – will help me in all my other cases and professional challenges, even the ones that do not involve an American party.
Q: What attracted you to the Professional LL.M. program at Berkeley Law?
A: The Professional LL.M. program at Berkeley Law is really unique. The possibility of earning an LL.M. degree without having to put my career completely on hold was one of the best advantages. In addition, I noticed that Berkeley Law had created a program that was really focused on the needs of LL.M. students: learning the basics of US Law and also having the opportunity of deepening our knowledge in specific areas, such as IP and corporations.
Q: What do you like most about being an LL.M. student at Berkeley Law?
A: It is great to have the opportunity to study in one of the best universities in the US. We have excellent and extremely accessible professors. Having the chance to study with people from virtually all over the world is also amazing. It puts our longstanding ideas and concepts into a completely new perspective.
Q: What has been your favorite class here, and why?
A: I was able to take some great courses, but I would have to say that Constitutional Law was one of my favorites. Primarily because we had the opportunity to study some of the most fundamental cases in US Law. Secondly, I think this class best explored the distinctions among different legal systems. All the students were able to explain how their countries would approach very similar questions differently. In the end, I was able not only to learn more about US Law, but also to enrich my legal culture. ⇑
Chengwei (Alex) Liu
Beijing, China
LL.M. Class of 2010
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the US, and at Berkeley Law in particular?
A: As a corporate lawyer focused on cross-border M&As and IPOs in the US, I wanted to acquire an international background and learn from the developed market rules of the US. I chose Boalt Hall not only because of its top ranking among US law schools, but because I was attracted by its great location in the Bay Area of sunny California.
Q: What do you find the most challenging about studying US Law?
A: To me, the biggest challenge seems to be collecting and studying the court decisions relevant to a given subject. There is always too much to read, and time seldom seems sufficient to complete the assignments before the next class begins. But don't be too concerned, you can always learn something even you cannot finish everything.
Q: What has been your favorite class here, and why?
A: Constructing the Corporate Deal taught by Prof. Michael Ross in Spring 2010 is my favorite class. It is transaction practice-oriented, which has not been emphasized in the litigation-focused US law courses. This class is very helpful for my practice career, and it opens a door for me to the complicated M&A legal framework of the US capital market.
Q: What advice can you share with other international students who would like to study law in the US?
A: Think clearly about what you desire most when choosing your classes. For example, if you would like to enhance your language skills for better communication, small classes are better; if you would like to guarantee a good job after graduation, maybe you should take technology-related classes, as there will be many opportunities in this field, in which Boalt Hall is top-ranked.
Finally, do spare some of your time to go to parties to enjoy talking with your new friends, and to enjoy sunny California. ⇑
Maria Jose Rojas
Santiago, Chile
LL.M. Class of 2010
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M. degree in the US, and at Berkeley Law in particular?
A: Because I like to study and I thought that it was time to start again. I was working in a law firm for around 5 years and I needed to deepen my knowledge of Antitrust and Constitutional Law. I chose Berkeley because of what I knew about the free speech movement during the 60's, about the city and also because of the prestige of the University, and I think that I was not wrong.
Q: What do you like most about being a student at Berkeley Law?
A: I like the fact that I know that I am in one of the best universities in the world with access to an infinity of resources, from the library which is a very nice place to study, to the Recreational Sports Facilities, where you can practice all kind of sports. Also, the diversity of people that you meet, and the events planned by the University where you can meet important political actors of the world and share different points of view.
Q: What has been your favorite class here, and why?
A: My favorite classes here have been Advanced Torts and First Amendment, because the professors are able to capture the attention of all the students and to make them talk and participate in class, achieving interesting discussions about the topics. Also, because in my country both subjects are treated very differently in our law.
Q: Besides studying law, what other activities do you particularly enjoy here?
A: I very much enjoy riding my bike around Berkeley, to the Marina, to the hills and to take some nice hikes. Also, I like having so many places near Berkeley to get away during the weekends or day trips, such as Point Reyes, Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Monterey, Carmel, Muir Woods, etc. The good thing is that almost all year you have nice weather to enjoy outdoor activities.
I also enjoy the diversity of restaurants here in Berkeley that has allowed me to better know the food of other countries. My favorite thing, however, is to explore the bookstores on Telegraph (such as Moe's Books) where you can find almost any book you need.
Q: What advice can you share with other international students who would like to study law in the US?
A: I would advise them not to be scared to come alone to the US, and also to try to find a balance between studies and other activities. It is only one year that goes very fast, and the fact is, studying law is a very little part of the LL.M. At the end, your friends and the activities and experiences that you share with them are what you are going to remember forever. ⇑
