As part of the accreditation process, the ABA requires law schools to make certain information available to students planning to participate in foreign programs. The following information is set forth to comply with those requirements.

An average of 50 students have participated in each of the last 10 programs at Innsbruck. There will likely be a similar enrollment in the current year. Because the curriculum contains five courses, it is probable that most classes will have an enrollment of between 10 and 30 students.

Although there is no definite limit on the number of students who may participate in the program, at some point adequate student housing might not be available and the students enrolled for a class might exceed the capacity of the largest classroom available (about 150).

Because at least one of the classrooms that will be used by the program seats 150 persons, it is unlikely that the enrollment in any course will have to be limited. There are no course prerequisites for any of the classes. Each class is taught with the assumption that the students have completed one year of American legal education.

Innsbruck Program Scholarship Information

We are proud to announce that Summer 2023 will mark the 38th year of the St. Mary’s Institute on World Legal Problems. This program is held annually in the breathtaking Innsbruck, Austria. We are proud to offer the following scholarship opportunities for students seeking to attend this summer.

You can apply for all five scholarships, but it is important to note that each scholarship has its own requirements and financial aid resources. Each scholarship offers varying financial aid amounts to a varying number of applicants. There are scholarship committees that oversee the completed applications and the scholarships are distributed to as many law students as possible.

Online applications will open in February 2023. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sister Grace Walle, F.M.I., D.Min.

Sarah Thompson Memorial Fund Scholarship: This scholarship carries on the memory of Sarah Thompson. Thompson was a third-year law student at St. Mary’s who died in a hit-and-run accident.  Thompson’s parents started this scholarship to honor Thompson since she loved her Innsbruck study abroad experience. Applicants should demonstrate financial need. Thompson was a Texas Tech University graduate and applicants may be given preference for attending Texas Tech.  

Flint Fund Scholarship: This scholarship is funded by Richard Flint, J.D., (M.A ’07), Albert Hermann Professor of Law at St. Mary’s, who has taught International Business Transactions in Innsbruck for many years. If selected, recipients must promote, plan and attend the Flint Fest BBQ Fundraiser. Recipients are also required to attend group hiking trips and/or Catholic Mass with Flint while in Innsbruck.

Clayton & Ramirez Scholarship: This scholarship is generously funded by the Clayton & Ramirez law firm. Garrett Clayton (J.D. ’06) attended Innsbruck while in law school, and the law firm wants law students — particularly those who have not previously traveled to Europe and could not otherwise afford the costs — to have the opportunity to benefit from this unique international legal experience.

Founders Fund Scholarship: This scholarship honors the professors who founded the Innsbruck program in 1986. This scholarship is designed to encourage students to attend Innsbruck so this study abroad program can continue to benefit students. Applicants should demonstrate financial need.

Ariens Family Scholarship: This scholarship has been made possible by the generous support of Michael Ariens, J.D., LL.M., Aloysius A. Leopold Professor of Law at St. Mary’s and his family. Ariens will be one of the leading directors for the program in Summer 2023. This scholarship is intended for students who have demonstrated financial need. Special consideration will be given to students who have not received an award from other Innsbruck scholarships.

(July 3 – July 19)

8 – 9:10 a.m – International Business Transactions

9:20 – 10:30 a.m. – Lawyering Abroad

10:40 – 11:50 a.m. – International Child Abduction

Exams:

10 a.m. – noon – International Business Transactions – Aug. 4

Take home – Lawyering Abroad

Take home – International Child Abduction

First Session (July 4 – July 20)
8-9:10 a.m., International Business Transactions, R. Flint
9:20-10:30 a.m., Lawyering Abroad, B. Koch
10:40-11:50 a.m., International Child Abduction based on the Hague Convention, D. Pepi

(1 Credit, South Texas Distinguished Professor of Law — Vincent Johnson, J.D.,LL.M, LL.D, St. Mary’s University School of Law)

This course will prepare students to represent a wide range of clients, including artists, museums, auction houses, online sellers and buyers, collectors, art experts, taxing authorities and heirs. Particular attention will be paid to international agreements and cross-border sales.

(1 credit, Clinical Professor of Law – Genevieve Hébert Fajardo, J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law)

International child abduction issues arise when one parent moves a child to another country without approval of the other parent or a court. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of their wrongful removal or retention, to ensure the prompt return of the children to the State of their habitual residence, and to secure protection for a parent’s rights of access. In short, the Hague Convention determines which country has jurisdiction over the child’s welfare and custody. If the nation hosting the child decides that another country has jurisdiction based on the Hague Convention, it has a duty to return the child to the country possessing jurisdiction. Students will learn the mechanics of the Hague Convention, examine U.S. legal interpretations and prepare a simulated Hague Petition to a U.S. Federal Court​

(1 Credit, Professor Bernard Koch, J.D., University of Innsbruck, Innrain)

This course introduces students to the core elements of European legal systems and to their structural dissimilarities with American legal systems. Emphasis will be placed on major differences between common law and civil law approaches. Examples will be drawn from the laws of Germany, France and other countries. Particular attention will be given to the practical aspects of lawyering, such as finding the law and communicating with foreign counsel.