Temple Law School has expanded its global network with a new partnership in Mexico. In March 2022, the law school signed an agreement with the Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey (“FLDM”) that will foster collaboration and exchange among students and faculty from both law schools. Under the agreement, faculty from either school will be able to serve as visiting research scholars at the other, and FLDM students will have opportunities to study at Temple’s Philadelphia and Rome campuses.

The initiative was spearheaded by Fernando Villarreal-Gonda, FLDM’s Academic Dean and Professor of Law, and Temple Law’s Assistant Dean for Graduate and International Programs John Smagula.

The two deans have been colleagues at the American Association of Law Schools Section on Global Engagement for over 15 years and were inspired to collaborate after serving together on this year’s panel discussion exploring Professor Villareal’s empirical studies called ‘Why Enroll in a U.S. LL.M Program?’

Given the importance of cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico, this is yet another step in the trend of institutes of higher education in Mexico collaborating with their counterparts in the United States.

“We are absolutely delighted to establish this collaboration with FLDM,” said Dean Smagula about the new partnership. “The caliber of legal education offered by FLDM is well-recognized, and we know that the students will meaningfully contribute to our LL.M. Program and law school community in general, particularly in areas of cross-border issues.”

Dean Villarreal-Gonda observed, “This agreement will allow our students to study law in the United States, in English, and really distinguish themselves in a competitive legal job market in Mexico or elsewhere. This partnership demonstrates both schools’ acknowledgment that the world is rapidly internationalizing and there is so much to learn from one another. And likewise, we welcome Temple students and scholars to visit our law school as well.”

Temple hopes to welcome the first FLDM students to Philadelphia in the Fall 2022 semester.