The SMU Dedman Law School - a “Global Law Center” for Seven Decades

Authors

Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law

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Abstract

With his experience from the Nürenberg Trials1, SMU Law Dean Robert Storey saw the world growing smaller and smaller and the need for international cooperation greater and greater. In this context, he recognized the critical importance of developing international institutions and international law and of promoting of the rule of law and democratic values. He also recognized how little American lawyers and law students knew about these new international challenges and about the importance of building bridges among the differing legal systems in the world (i.e., the need for fostering a sound comparative law methodology). Thus, it is not by coincidence that in 1947 when Dean Storey articulated his vision of the SMU Law School as a “Legal Center”, he set about to establish a major international and comparative law program (one of the first in the country).

Publication Date

5-4-2017