News Release

UM School of Law Receives M2 Gift

The global law firm White & Case has made a gift to support the International Arbitration Institute at the law school and creates an endowed scholarship.

By Catharine Skipp
Special to UM News

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (April 09, 2014) – Global law firm White & Case LLP has made a multi-year commitment to support the continued excellence and impact of the International Arbitration Institute at the University of Miami School of Law.

The gift is part of Momentum2: The Breakthrough Campaign of the University of Miami.
 
The International Arbitration Institute embodies the law school’s long tradition of engagement with the law of arbitration. The Institute has many programs that offer students an enriching professional experience at the epicenter of international arbitration.  The UM School of Law is recognizing White & Case’s support by naming the degree program of the Institute the “White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Degree Program.”  The arbitration specialization track currently within the International Law LL.M. program will, subject to American Bar Association acquiescence and the University of Miami Board of Trustees approval, become a stand-alone LL.M. degree.

In addition to providing important resources for the development of the LL.M. degree program, the donation funds an endowed scholarship and creates an annual lecture series that will bring leading scholars and practitioners in international arbitration to the Institute from around the world.

The firm is making this donation in honor of White & Case partner Carolyn B. Lamm, an alumna of the UM School of Law and a leading practitioner of international law and international arbitration, who also is a visiting professor in International Investment Arbitration at UM. The scholarship fund will be named the Carolyn B. Lamm/White & Case International Arbitration Endowed Scholarship Fund, and students receiving scholarship support will be known as the Carolyn B. Lamm/White & Case Scholars.

The White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. degree program is a unique and highly selective course of study taught by a leader in international arbitration, Professor Jan Paulsson, who holds the Michael Klein Distinguished Scholar Chair at the UM School of Law.

"We are committed to ensuring that White & Case's generous gift has the significant impact it deserves,” said Paulsson. “Our objective with the LL.M. degree program is to enable a small and diverse group of outstanding graduate students to grapple with fundamental questions in-depth, and in close collaboration with leading specialists. White & Case's commitment will make it possible for a series of gifted students to enroll in this ambitious program irrespective of their means. It will also allow for us to initiate a tradition of important lectures. Other donors, we hope, will follow this example, perhaps by sponsoring unique research projects, and thus to contribute to the emergence of a vibrant culture of thought leadership in this field centered on the remarkable city of Miami."

“This is a wonderful gift from a great law firm and honors an extraordinary lawyer, and will allow us to offer the best International Arbitration LL.M. in the world,” said UM School of Law Dean Patricia D. White.

The International Arbitration Practice at White & Case has more than 150 practitioners in offices around the world who appear in all of the major arbitral institutions worldwide and advise clients operating under virtually any substantive law and in both the common and civil law systems.  The firm’s Miami office, opened more than 25 years ago, serves clients in Florida and throughout the world, and acts as the hub of White & Case’s practice in Latin America.

“White & Case is a pioneer in international arbitration and we are committed to playing a leadership role as the importance of international dispute resolution continues to expand,” said Hugh Verrier, Chairman of White & Case. “We are particularly pleased to have this opportunity to honor Carolyn, who is one of the most distinguished lawyers in her field. Combining her leadership and the resources of the Institute has the potential to powerfully affect the evolution and importance of international arbitration in the Americas.” 

Lamm, J.D.’73, is a partner at White & Case and Co-Chair of its International Arbitration Practice for the Americas. She is currently a member of the firm’s Strategic Growth Council and previously served as a member of the firm’s Partnership Committee. Lamm’s practice concentrates in international dispute resolution through international arbitration, litigation and international trade remedies. She sits as an arbitrator in cases before several arbitral institutions, including the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the American Arbitration Association / International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA/ICDR). She has been recognized repeatedly as one of the leading lawyers in America and for her worldwide professional expertise in international arbitration. Lamm is a past president of the American Bar Association and of the District of Columbia Bar.  While she was a student at the UM School of Law, Lamm was one of only 10 women in her class. She married her classmate, Peter Halle, J.D.’73. They have two sons, Alexander and Daniel, both graduates of the University.

“White & Case and the University of Miami are exceptional institutions. I am honored and profoundly touched by the support of White & Case. This gift is special to me as a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, and I am very pleased to give back in a way that helps to build its future,” said Lamm.  “UM opened the doors of opportunity for me, and it is very exciting to contribute to the development of the Institute. I am very excited about the dynamic law school and student body today. It is truly on the cutting edge.”

White & Case partners will also serve as professors and collaborators at the Institute.  "Miami is a gateway to Latin America and fast-growing base for arbitration hearings," commented White & Case partner and head of Latin American arbitration Jonathan C. Hamilton, who will teach international contract negotiations as a visiting professor.  "This unique initiative brings together the best of UM, White & Case and Miami for the advancement of arbitration in the Americas and beyond.”

Catharine Skipp can be reached at 305-284-9810.

Braman Miller Center for Jewish Student Life
From l-r, UM President Donna E. Shalala, Michael Klein Distinguished Scholar Chair Jan Paulsson, Law School Dean Patricia D. White and UM alumna Carolyn B. Lamm.
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