working it out in a law firm half way around the world

June 5^th:

Today we had just the one class with Justice Holland and then Professor Meadows and Goldberg organized a tour and information session with an Italian law firm!

The lawyer we met with has been practicing law for about 5 years and works under well-respected Professor and his law firm.  She walked us through the law firm so we could get a feel for what it was like to work there.  The rooms were so open and airy.  This particular law firm focuses also on research for an understanding of the ever-changing law in particular the code system that was re-vamped 8 years ago.  This law firm is a corporate, managerial focused law firm.  It was very refreshing and encouraging to hear of a firm that focuses on growing its younger associates and future lawyers of its country.  While there we spoke with 3 students who were getting ready to take the equivalent of the bar and were interning at the law firm.  These students were in charge of studying and learning about the changes that had occurred after the review of the code in 2003 and informing the practicing lawyers what these changes were; what they meant; and how they affected the firm’s work.

She explained the legal system in Italy and how they worked on a day-to-day basis.  She also explained the Italian nuisances on getting things through the system.  It was interesting to learn that even though the Italian system in a Civil system whereas the American system is a Common law system, there where still some parallel grievances about how things were run.  However, the Italian law system takes MUCH longer than the US system.  For example, a case that would get decided in the US in about 90 days, can take up to 10 years in Italy!  We learned that often times a case takes to long to be decided on and reaches a limitation on time and gets dismissed.  She was very helpful as well as eager to answer any and all questions the students had about Italian law and a typical say as a lawyer in Italy.  IT was cool to see the similarities and learn of differences between the systems and how law offices work.