School of Law Engages in Remarkable Semester of Exchange with Ukraine

The University of Arkansas School of Law recently capped off a remarkable semester of outreach and exchange with Ukraine. Featuring visits by two delegations of the Ukrainian law community and a series of four digital video conferences, the law school's efforts have built a lasting, positive relationship with Ukraine and provided a model for other schools and universities hoping to build a grassroots exchange program.

Earlier in 2008, the School of Law and Freedom House received a grant from the Open World Program, which brings emerging leaders from Ukraine and other post-Soviet states to the United States, giving them firsthand exposure to the American system of participatory democracy and free enterprise. This grant allowed the School of Law to host two delegations of the Ukrainian law community.

The first delegation visited the School of Law from Oct. 17 to 25 and included Ukrainian law deans, professors, and students. While in Fayetteville, the delegation discussed pressing legal issues with a number of University of Arkansas faculty and members of the Northwest Arkansas law community. The delegation also took part in a digital video conference with Ukraine that featured a presentation by Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Emeritus Bob Smith. In addition, Chancellor G. David Gearhart hosted a reception at his residence in the delegation's honor.

The second Ukrainian delegation, consisting of five judges, visited Arkansas from Nov. 15 to 22. The judges began their visit in Little Rock, where they toured the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library and met with members of the Arkansas Supreme Court and other members of the Arkansas and Federal Judiciary. Later they had the opportunity to meet Arkansas Governor and School of Law alumnus Mike Bebee and tour the Arkansas state capitol complex. While in Fayetteville, the judges enjoyed presentations by several law school faculty members and participated in a digital video conference titled "The Judiciary's Role in Resolving the Tension Between Civil Liberties and National Security." On hand for the conference were panel experts the Honorable Jimm Hendren, United State District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas; Kitty Gay, clerk to Judge Hendren; and Don Judges, E.J. Ball Professor of Law at the School of Law.

Two other digital video conferences, co-hosted by the United States Embassy in Ukraine, took place over the course of the semester. On Sept. 30, the first conference of the series focused on professional responsibility and the current financial crises. Professor Judges and one of the newest members of the School of Law faculty, Professor D'lorah Hughes, led the discussion. The final digital video conference of the semester, "Recognition of States under International Law," was held on Dec. 9 and featured School of Law Professors Uche Ewelukwa and Sharon Foster, as well as noted Ukrainian Professor Liliana Tymchenko.

Congratulations are in order for Professor Christopher Kelley and the many others in the School of Law community who have made the law school's exchange with Ukraine such a resounding success. The spring semester promises to see the School of Law strengthen its relationship with Ukraine and offer students and professors here and in Ukraine the unique opportunity to learn from one another.

Contact:

Andy Albertson, director of communications
School of Law
(479) 575-6111, aalbert@uark.edu