Personal Statement for LLM Admission
I write to support my application for the LLM program in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law offered by your esteemed University. I developed a genuine interest in intellectual property law during my third year of Bachelors’s degree at the University of Québec in Montréal. This is where I attended the copyright courses given by Professor Normand Tamaro, the lawyer of the artist Claude Robinson before the Supreme Court of Canada that contributed to broadening the scope of the Canadian Copyright Act. After my graduation, I desired to gain international experience to better understand the emerging issues in intellectual property worldwide. My rewarding experience in China enhanced my outstanding insight into the global intellectual property issues at stake in a shifting market. I also have the opportunity to attend international meetings such as INTA and MARQUES. I met many respected practitioners, for example, Mr. Ricardo Fisher – the Trademark Practice Leader at Arent Fox LLP – and Mrs. Anne Marie Bowler – founding partner of the New York-based law firm Gabay & Bowler. They tremendously inspired and cultivated my intellectual curiosity to strengthen my knowledge of the American legal framework.
The profound history and traditions of Fordham University make it a great place to study the structure and the exciting dynamics of American Law. This LLM program in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law will substantially enrich my knowledge in fundamental and advanced issues in copyright, trademark and patent laws, but also in a few cutting-edge fields such as cybercrime, information privacy law and Internet regulation that turn out to be key topics in today’s digital information society. Moreover, the guidance of Professor Hugh Hansen will be invaluable concerning his unique expertise on how courts, agencies, congress, and the private sector relate with intellectual property law to parse its intricacies. Studying at the Fordham School of Law in New York would represent a personal and professional achievement. Indeed, the University hosts one of the most prominent and best-attended conferences in the IP field and the Annual Fordham IP Conference. As well, the prestigious student-run organizations, including the Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal that contributes to foster intellectual dialogues amongst students on critical legal issues in art, entertainment, and intellectual property laws.
After my graduation, I would like to pursue my legal career in the United States and apply for the Bar examination in New York. I am particularly interested in intellectual property litigation, with an emphasis on trademark and copyright laws. Besides, I would also appreciate assisting foreign companies seeking to expand their business in the US market, especially in the wines and spirits industry. Wines and spirits own a captivating history combined with ancestral know-how, which contributes to creating authentic products. The United States represents a leading but highly competitive market for this industry, compelling the companies to adapt their commercial strategies in compliance with the laws and regulations.
Throughout my legal career, I would actively contribute to the global understanding of intellectual property laws by participating in international conferences to learn and debate with renowned professionals. In this perspective, the Fordham IP Institute is the best place to work on substantive IP projects and continue to develop a critical approach to the importance of intellectual property rights in our societies nowadays. Indeed, the protection of intellectual property rights is crucial to foster innovation. Still, it shall also be understood regarding the evolution of the laws and the technological changes to identify better the challenges the practitioners may face
shortly.
I genuinely believe that this LLM program represents a unique opportunity to enrich my knowledge in intellectual property and information technology laws. Besides, sharing ideas and opinions with students, academics, and professionals with various backgrounds to mutually benefit from each other’s experiences. Talking with several Fordham alumni during the Alumni & Friends Reception in Shanghai definitively convinced me that this program would significantly enhance my legal career to achieve my professional goals.