A first graduation in Nottingham for Campbell Law School LLM International Legal Studies students

In May 2024, Nottingham Law School Deputy Dean Matthew Homewood visited Raleigh, North Carolina to attend the 46th hooding and graduation ceremony of Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.  The unique collaboration between Nottingham Law School and Campbell Law School, which began back in 2017, provides an opportunity for Juris Doctor (JD) students to develop high-level research and writing skills through the completion of an LLM In International Legal Studies that they can study and graduate from alongside their JD.

Following the commencement speaker, North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, Matthew delivered a speech congratulating graduates and highlighting the shared values of the two Schools and then had the honour of bestowing six LLM degrees and hooding the graduates as part of the historic ceremony at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.

With the opportunity to graduate alongside their JD, two Campbell Law School students, Maria Alzate and Christopher Hamby, made the trip to Nottingham to join their graduation ceremony in July 2024 alongside their Nottingham Law School cohort; this is the first time  we've had Campbell graduates join us in Nottingham for our graduation ceremonies.

Asked about their experiences, Maria shared:

"The Master of Laws program at NTU, in my mind, is what one would call a ‘hidden gem’ as it is still small with big dreams of growth. I stumbled upon the program by mere chance when one of my colleagues at Campbell asked if I wanted to join them for an info session about it. During the session we learned that you could earn your Master of Laws at NLS while also working to earn your Juris Doctor at Campbell, and graduate with both at the same time. This completely sold me because traditionally one works to earn a Master of Laws after completing their Juris Doctor, adding 2 more years of schooling after the initial 3. The program itself began 2L year with the first semester dedicated to learning the ropes of the program and doing the in-depth research about a niche topic the student chooses to write about. Students have a chance to travel to Nottingham to meet their NLS advisors, the course administrator and dean, and to present and defend their thesis.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write about a topic I was passionate about with the guidance of both Campbell’s program professors and my assigned NLS advisor who helped to mold my topic and develop the discourse. After presenting in person or remotely, students work on their own time to complete their article or dissertation within a year or using both years allotted. Usually, students graduate with both degrees at Campbell’s graduation ceremony. However, my colleague and I set our sights on graduating at Nottingham in person (note that we had been advised both graduations can be done, we just opted for the latter). We each planned big trips with our families, signed up for graduation at NTU, and flew across the world—again—to attend the ceremony. The ceremony itself was incredibly special to me and my loved ones because we were embedded with all NTU students and their families who had been working to complete their LLM’s. The highlight for me was being present for the ceremonial process in the historical buildings I’d had the honor of visiting just two years prior and closing a chapter of rewarding hard work.

I hope future students choose this LLM program and consider the possibility of attending graduation in person to experience all that NTU has to offer while making memories that last a lifetime."