[L to R: Karen McMichael, Director of International Law Programs; Mark Poustie, Professor and Dean of the UCC School of Law; Professor Laura Little; Professor Barry McCarthy; John Smagula, Assistant Dean for Graduate & International Programs.]

University College Cork (UCC) School of Law and Temple University Beasley School of Law announced the renewal of their nearly 20-year partnership.  Since the schools’ initial agreement in 2004, Temple has hosted 37 UCC students, four during the 2021-22 school year alone. Seven of those students have earned the LL.M. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers.

Mark Poustie, Professor and Dean of the UCC School of Law, visited Temple Law on November 14th to discuss the partnership and explore ways to strengthen cooperation. “Temple is one of our strongest partnerships, and our students have long benefited from Temple’s outstanding teaching, strong faculty in business, trial advocacy, and international law, and warm welcome to our students and faculty,” he said “We look forward to many more years of collaboration. Likewise, we welcome Temple student and faculty to come to Cork.”

During his visit, Dean Poustie met with Dean Rachel Rebouché, Professors Laura Little and Barry McCarthy, Director of International Programs Karen McMichael, and Assistant Dean for Graduate & International Programs John Smagula. “We are delighted with our partnership with UCC,” said Dean Rebouché, “and we look forward to creating more opportunities for our faculty and students to visit each other’s schools and learn from each other.”

Mark Collins, LL.M. 09, Partner at McKinsey & Co., participated in the exchange during his law school experience.  “I remember my time at Temple, while on exchange from University College Cork fondly,” he said. “Aside from the excellent tuition on both legal theory and practical skills, the relationships that I built with both faculty and fellow students endure to this day.  Temple was a critical step in my professional journey.”

Karen McMichael, Director of International Law Programs at Temple, reflects on her relationship with UCC exchange students, “I have had the pleasure of advising visiting UCC law students throughout our partnership. These students are outgoing and engaged in Temple Law School life. Some found time to participate in Temple University sports while others have served as excellent legal writing class teaching assistants. I expect that this mutually beneficial academic relationship will continue to flourish in the future.”

In addition to student exchange, UCC professor Ursula Kilkelly, a powerful force on issues related to children’s rights, spent an extended time at Temple Law. Both Professor Emerita of Law Theresa Glennon and Professor Laura Little taught semester-long courses at UCC. Professor Emerita Glennon researched and wrote on periods of Irish history and Professor Little taught US Constitutional Law to Masters-level students.  

Professor Little’s support for UCC has extended well-beyond her last visit. She is now in her sixth year as a member of the Law Faculty Board of External Advisors and has been working with them since their inception.

Reflecting on this role, Professor Little notes, “We have had the privilege of a steady stream of extraordinary Cork students to add much to the academic environment and student life at Temple Law. Temple students have also benefitted greatly from a semester at UCC, learning about the European Union, the Irish legal system, and classic principles of common law.  Needless to say, they have enjoyed the best of Irish culture as well, particularly the robust traditional music scene in Cork City.”