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William & Mary Law Student Finds Philosophical Quest and Practical Skills in Spain [by Erica Winter] What can U.S. lawyers learn from European lawyers? And how can U.S. law benefit from European law? Stephanie Spirer is a good example of an answer to the former question, and she is currently working on the answer to the latter.
Spirer is a second-year law student at Wil-
both sides to come to a “cross-cultural” un-
have examined international opinions on the
liam & Mary’s Marshall-Wythe School of
derstanding. This also applies in court cases,
practice, for example. And, there currently is
Law, Williamsburg, VA. She spent part of the
says Spirer, when lawyers need to under-
a proposed resolution before the U.S. House
summer of 2004 in Madrid, Spain, on William
stand the other side’s perspective.
of Representatives seeking to prevent U.S. courts from considering foreign court deci-
& Mary’s study abroad program there. The Madrid program “really enriched my legal
On a philosophical level, Spirer saw the
education,” says Spirer.
difference in how Spaniards see Americans
sions when making their own rulings.
and how Americans see ourselves, including
The side supporting the resolution says
A Spanish and political science double
opinions on the then-upcoming U.S. elec-
that the U.S. should not be bound by foreign
major, Spirer did not have the chance to
tions. Arriving in Spain soon after the March
laws and rulings, explains Spirer. The side
study abroad while an undergraduate at Ohio
11 train bombings, Spirer and fellow pro-
opposing it says that U.S. courts would not
Northern University (class of 2003). Spirer
gram participants saw the need for nations to
be bound by foreign judicial rulings and
jumped at the chance to study in Spain while
support each other in the face of tragedy, she
laws by considering them but rather that the
in law school, even though her legal career
says. Having political discussions with Span-
comparison of ideas that may be succeeding
focus is towards domestic politics and gov-
ish people showed her how connected the
elsewhere could aide in decisions here.
ernment relations, not international law.
world is and how important it is to facilitate dialogue among people internationally.
With many law schools’ international programs accepting students from other
This coming summer, Spirer will work at the Indianapolis firm of Baker & Daniels, which
Contemplating these ideas in the context of
schools, Spirer originally chose the William
has a strong government relations group.
her legal studies lead Spirer to her journal
& Mary Madrid program specifically because
Spirer will do general work at the firm. And
note topic. Spirer, a member of William &
of the ease of transferring credits and
in the fall 2005 semester, Spirer will do an
Mary’s Bill of Rights Journal, is examin-
because of the faculty. Overall, “I was really
externship with the Virginia State Legisla-
ing whether or not the U.S. Supreme Court
impressed with the professors,” she says.
ture.
should look at foreign court decisions in its own decision-making process.
Students in the program provided an “inter-
As part of the note, Spirer is looking at Fed-
they were not only studying in Spain, but also
government on a practical level, Spirer said.
eralism through a comparison of the 22nd
being taught by Spanish professors (in Eng-
It is as simple as communicating between
Amendment to the Constitution (repealing
lish). As yet another cross-cultural benefit of
different cultures. Spirer’s Spanish friends
Prohibition) and a 1978 case that went before
the program, one of the eight Spanish faculty
told her that their opinions of Americans
the European Court of Justice. She is looking
members in the program, Professor José M.
changed by meeting her, as did her perspec-
at whether this comparison can help us bet-
de Areilza, will come to William & Mary next
tive change by meeting them.
ter understand our own federalism.
spring to teach European Union Constitu-
The skill of communicating with those who
Considering foreign court decisions is a hotly
think differently can be carried into both
debated question now, says Spirer, and not
Having advised the Spanish government
political and legal career life. Two sides of
only in the realm of international relations.
during the development of the European
a contested political issue can only come to
Questions involving the death penalty for ju-
Constitution, Professor de Areilza, Academic
an understanding when an effort is made by
veniles, which is still allowed in some states,
Co-Director of the William & Mary Madrid
esting perspective,” Spirer says, because
Studying in Spain could benefit someone working in a legal career or in the U.S.
tional Foundations.
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