Master of Laws degree

Georgia Law Alumni Spotlight: Gordon Oduor (LL.M. ’20) reflects on the importance of contributing to the “global village”

Today, we welcome a guest post by Gordon Oduor, a member of the University of Georgia School of Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) class of 2020. Oduor, who was recently named a Senior Associate in International Arbitration for Baker McKenzie in their Johannesburg, South Africa office, received a Fulbright grant for his LL.M. degree at Georgia Law. He is a first-generation university student and an honors graduate of the University of Nairobi Law School. He also holds a diploma in Business Administration with distinction from the Institute of Advanced Technology. Oduor, who is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb), wrote a thesis on international arbitration in eastern and southern Africa under the supervision of former Dean and Talmadge Chair of Law Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge. Oduor is currently an adjunct professor of international arbitration at Strathmore Law School in Nairobi, a Member of the African Arbitration Association, a member of the International Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the ICC Kenya Commission on Arbitration and ADR.

Oduor’s reflections are part of the Dean Rusk International Law Center’s ongoing Alumni Spotlight series, through which we highlight the achievements of the Georgia Law community’s internationally-inclined alumni. Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.

What organizations, journals, clinics, or extra-curricular activities had the greatest impact on your experience at Georgia Law? Was there a class, professor, mentor, or administrator who had a lasting impact on you? How so?

I was involved with international law activities through the Dean Rusk International Law Center, and this re-affirmed my drive for a foot into international private law practice, especially international arbitration. The other members of my LL.M. cohort and the program’s administrative team, especially Dr. Laura Tate Kagel and Ms. Mandy Dixon, were also very supportive and provided the necessary resources for me to thrive in my pursuit of a career in international arbitration. In particular, I enjoyed attending the Atlanta International Arbitration Society (AtlAS) annual conference. I also completed a thesis focusing on COMESA International Arbitration Court under the supervision of former Dean and Talmadge Chair of Law Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge.

How has international law or global engagement shaped your career? Why do you think global perspectives are important for today’s legal professionals?

The world has shrunk into a global village: we now have a greater sense of interdependence and collaboration that is necessary to keep humanity going. To give perspective, I deal with commercial & investment disputes with parties from different jurisdictions, states, and countries. To effectively do my work, I often need to collaborate with a team made up of individuals in Johannesburg, New Yok City, London, and Dubai.

What is your advice for current law students?

Keep at it! It all comes together at some point; resilience is key!

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The application for the LL.M. Class of 2028 is now open; for information or to apply for LL.M. studies, visit our website and attend an upcoming recruiting event.

Have a professional achievement, new role, award, or other milestone you’d like to share? Complete this Google Form to be considered for an upcoming Dean Rusk International Law Center Alumni Spotlight.

Welcoming the Master of Laws (LL.M.) Class of 2027 to Georgia Law

With the Fall 2026 semester in full swing, the Dean Rusk International Law Center is proud to welcome another class of talented lawyers, now studying for our University of Georgia School of Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree.

This group of thirteen hails from thirteen countries representing five continents, including Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, China, Germany, Dominican Republic, Belarus, Australia, South Korea, Switzerland, Chile, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. Among them are lawyers specializing in a wide range of fields including criminal law, intellectual property, cross-border compliance, mergers and acquisitions, international development, corporate law, administrative law, constitutional law, international arbitration, and contracts.

They are pictured above. From the left to right – top row: Shane Thomas, Oliver Csizi, Karim Aziz; middle row: Alyssa Kim, Alperen Avsar, Katharina Banondari, Manjing Cai; bottom row: Reny Del Jesús Mazara, Javiera McKane, Marta Lizer, Alina Herasimovich, Karyna Vepretska; not pictured: Wan Lee

This Class of 2027 joins a tradition that began at the University of Georgia School of Law in the early 1970s, when a Belgian lawyer became the first foreign-trained practitioner to earn a Georgia Law LL.M. degree. In the ensuing five decades, the law school and its Dean Rusk International Law Center have produced over 600 LL.M. graduates, with ties to nearly 100 countries and every continent in the world.

Side by side with J.D. candidates, LL.M.s follow a flexible curriculum tailored to their own career goals – goals that may include preparation to sit for a U.S. bar examination, or pursuit of coursework affording advancement in their home country’s legal profession or academic institutions.

The application for the LL.M. Class of 2028 is now open; for information or to apply for LL.M. studies, visit our website and attend an upcoming recruiting event.

Georgia Law LL.M. student Samuel Kuo admitted as a Fellow to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

University of Georgia School of Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) student Samuel Kuo was recently admitted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb).

Fellowship is the highest level of membership in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), and as a Fellow, Kuo is now part of a distinguished group of experienced dispute resolution practitioners and eligible to join the CIArb’s, and other arbitral institutions’, dispute panels of neutrals. CIArb is a global professional organization with over 15,000 members worldwide that represents the interests of alternative dispute resolution practitioners. The headquarters are located in London and the institute was founded in 1915. Its North America Branch has over 400 members and the closest chapter to the University of Georgia geographically is Atlanta.

Kuo, who is from Taiwan and the United Kingdom, received his bachelor of laws degree with upper second class honors from the University of York in the United Kingdom. During his law studies he held a variety of editorial positions and served in leadership positions, including international societies representative, secretary of the University of York International Students’ Association and mock parliament leader. In addition to completing several legal internships, he worked in the marketing department at Gunnercooke LLP in Manchester, England. Kuo serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues (JLERI) and is a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) and received a Michael Mustill Scholar of Gray’s Inn and the International Dispute Resolution Centre scholarship to undertake further study in international arbitration. Prior to his LL.M. studies, Mr. Kuo served as a moot arbitrator at the 31st Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and the 21st Vis East Moot as well as several pre-moots.

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at Georgia Law offers foreign law graduates opportunities to learn about the U.S. legal system, deepen knowledge of an area of specialization, and explore new legal interests. To learn more and to apply, visit our website.

Georgia Law LL.M. student completes senator term with 36th Student Government Association

University of Georgia School of Law LL.M. student Varinia Mina Bogliotti recently completed her term as a Senator for the 36th Student Government Association Administration. Bogliotti represented the law school throughout the academic year alongside undergraduate and graduate students from UGA’s 18 colleges and schools.

As an SGA senator, Bogliotti co-sponsored several proclamations and co-authored a bill creating a new Senate committee focusing on evolving and time-specific matters in each administration.

Reflecting on her year-long term as a Senator, Bogliotti stated:

It was an enriching experience that has significantly impacted my life and broadened my perspective. The opportunity to work with a diverse team of senators was invaluable. The diversity brought a wealth of ideas and skills to the table, which greatly enhanced the goals of the Senate. The senators’ resilience, warmth, and optimism were truly inspiring, as was the tangible impact of our work.

For more information about the LL.M. program and to apply, please visit our website.