The Law Faculty of UCLy proposes a new diploma, which is focused on the digital field. This online LL.M. Digital Law and Technology offers a specific training for international students and professionals lawyers. With this diploma, the law graduate will have an expertise in the digital and technological transformation of our society.
Could you tell us more about the LL.M. Digital Law and Technology?
This LL.M. is designed to train students on fast developing areas of law, challenged by the digital transformation of the economy.
It is innovative because it focuses on issues linked to that digital transformation. Transformation in which the law is either in the making or where existing rules have had to adapt to apply to new scenarios and new products. It is an exciting program of study as the law is constantly evolving!
Thus, four axis structured the program: Intellectual Property, privacy, contract and consumer law and regulation of artificial intelligence. This is the type of expertise that you would expect from a lawyer practicing either in a law department specialized in digital law and technology sector or in-house lawyers in tech firms.
The LL.M. is taught entirely remotely and asynchronously. An integration weekend in Lyon will be organized in Lyon if the crisis allows it! It is also entirely taught in English.
Why did the Law Faculty of UCLy decide to teach an online LL.M.?
There is a growing demand worldwide for online training. There are several reasons for this:
- First of all, online training allows students to combine work and studies. Students can start their careers early and/or work to finance their studies. At the same time, they can develop their expertise and improve their career prospects. There is a genuine demand for online training programs and relatively little offer.
- Secondly, there is also a strong demand for training from law professionals already practicing. Lawyers need to constantly update their knowledge. This means training in new practice areas to better service the business needs of their clients. Online training is ideally suited to this and is more easily compatible with a working life.
- Thirdly, the Covid crisis has not had an entirely negative impact on education! Indeed, our experience of the last 12 months has shown that there are different ways of teaching. We’ve also gone through our very own digital transformation. In the end, we believe that this crisis will have a positive impact on our pedagogy and engagement with students. Experience has shown us that it is possible to teach successfully to students remotely.
Finally, in the current crisis, it is difficult to plan with certainty the next couple of years – and may be more! Online training gets rid of the obstacles that may come in the way of students’ education such as travel restrictions, sudden quarantine requirements abroad or at home, or occasional resurgence of the pandemic.
The online LL.M. Digital Law and Technology allows students to plan and to continue their education with certainty.
What are the main strengths of this program, combining digital and law?
The LL.M. is resolutely turned towards the future, in its delivery and its content.
The digital solution for the delivery of the course allows greater flexibility for students. Whatever their reasons for studying online – be it to work alongside or because of the covid crisis - students can envisage the next 12 months with serenity. We are not asking them to take a risk on the evolution of the sanitary crisis.
The courses content is also very much on trend. These are competences and knowledge that is sought after by employers and where there are still relatively few courses.
The likely diverse background of our students will also be a strength for our diploma. It will enrich the discussions in class and opens the possibility of conducting comparative analysis across jurisdictions. This should enhance the quality of discussions and exchanges between students and teachers.
What are the opportunities (jobs, studies,...) after graduation?
The program is designed with practice of the law in mind. We would expect our students to seek employment as in-house counsel in legal departments of firms, active in the digital and technology sector. Also, they can continue their studies with a view to qualify as lawyers in their jurisdiction.
In an increasingly digital environment, what advice would you give to a future lawyer?
Digital innovation and the tech revolution have created exciting opportunities for lawyers who can get involved and participate in these new industries. It is a challenging environment, where the law is tested and evolves all the time. If you choose to get involved you will not be bored!
Even if you do not intend to work for the next unicorn or tech start-up, the legal issues raised by the digital transformation of the economy are pervasive. They affect all sectors of the economy. I am thinking here, for instance, of GDPR or sales concluded online. As a young lawyer, you cannot ignore it.
Come and train with us!
There is a strong demand for lawyers in this sector with relatively little expertise. It is definitely a growth sector in the world of legal services.
Our LL.M. degrees
This Online LL.M. Digital Law and Technology (University Diploma) is open to post-graduate students and professionals, taught exclusively in English, online, full-time or part-time study possible.
This English taught program is opened to law graduates wishing to develop a career in international business law.
LL.M. in European and International Trade & Investment Law covers major existing negotiated European and multilateral trade and investment agreements and their interaction with the WTO with a particular focus on the European Union.