The University of San Diego and CETYS University in Baja California signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday that creates a fast-tracked pathway for Mexican law students to earn law degrees on both sides of the border in four and a half years. Hugo Rodriguez is a student enrolled i n the Masters Law Program at USD. He’s thrilled for the doors this will open for students who join the program. “I believe this agreement will make us stronger as attorneys here in the U.S. since the moment you go and knock on the doors and most of the law firms will check where did you study law and since USD is making this agreement with CETYS University, it will make our title stronger,” Rodriguez said. Dean for the USD School of Law, Robert Schapiro, said the LLM Degree from USD is designed to give students a basic knowledge of the broad range of U.S. Law and allow them to specialize in areas such as business and immigration law.   “We feel it will be an ideal way to equip the lawyers of the future to be able to support exchange among business and people across the border,” Schapiro said. He added that this agreement can even strengthen human relationships so important to law. “The connections between California and Mexico — and particularly Southern California — we think are vital to the economic prosperity of both regions and also to the growth of the human relationships and the shared values that are so important to both of us,” Schapiro said. Scott Carr with the San Diego County Bar Association said this program will develop better lawyers who will be equipped to navigate cross-border challenges such as trade and crime. He also hopes it will help bridge the divide between two very different legal systems in our region. “We have traffic and trade going back and forth every day, so a program like this really helps elevate the standing and stature of San Diego on an international level,” Carr said. If the students wish, once they graduate, they will be able to take the California Bar Exam to become licensed to practice law in the United States. Schapiro said the program is contemplating 30 students per year. ...read more read less