The Summer Law Institute in Guanajuato, Mexico is administered by a consortium of four law schools that include: Southwestern Law School, Texas Tech University School of Law, Universidad de Guanajuato Facultad de Derecho, and University of New Mexico School of Law. The current Consortium was formed in 1989, and classes have been held each summer with the exception of 2009 and 2015. The program was cancelled during the 2009 summer due to an outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus. The virus proved to be far less widespread than expected. In addition, consortium members decided to take a hiatus during the 2015 summer to enhance the program model and make changes that would improve the experiences of our future students.

The Universidad de Guanajuato Facultad de Derecho is one of Mexico's leading law centers and is located in the beautiful silver-mining highlands of central Mexico. Guanajuato is a tranquil city with a population of more than 170,000. The city of Guanajuato, founded in 1548, has a European flare with its narrow cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings, and numerous colorful plazas. The city, named a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage City in 1988, is internationally known for its museums, festivals, and cultural events. It is a unique city among Mexican cities because of its historical, artistic and architectural significance, which lends credence to its motto as the "Destino Cultural de México."

The Institute offers a thorough introduction to Mexican Law and International Law subjects related to the United States and Latin America. As trade relations with Mexico and the rest of Latin America continue to expand, it is important that future practitioners have an opportunity to prepare for international legal opportunities that will continue to multiply. Mexican laws have radically changed over the last five years making it easier for foreign investors to conduct business in Mexico, and opening up areas of commerce that were previously reserved for government monopolies, especially in the areas of oil, gas and electricity. As the third largest trading partner of the United States, an understanding of the Mexican legal system, Mexican culture, and Mexican history are essential for any law student hoping to be competitive in the legal marketplace of the future. The Summer Law Institute helps provide students with a competitive edge by providing them options to study, interact and work in Mexico under the direction of professors not only from the consortium law schools, but professors, practitioners and jurists invited from throughout the United States and Mexico.

Attending the Guanajuato Summer Law Institute will enrich one's education in a myriad of ways. Participants will learn to become more independent and learn more about themselves as well as others they will meet in this exciting environment. In addition, students will have many opportunities to enhance their interpersonal and intercultural skills as well as acquire new ones.

Participating in the Institute will enhance the participant's marketability in an increasingly globalized society by improving their cultural competencies and exposing them to legal concepts that will provide a competitive edge over other graduates. Best of all, students will have a great time!

The Institute has been approved by the Accreditation Committee of the ABA Section on Legal Education.

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Consortium School Contacts

Sylvia Villalpando, M.A.
Southwestern Law School
3050 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Telephone: (213) 738-6874
Fax: (213) 383-1688
studyabroad@swlaw.edu

Stephen Black
Texas Tech University School of Law
1802 Hartford Avenue, Box 40004
Lubbock, TX 79409-0004
Telephone: (806) 834-1468
Fax: (806) 742-0901
stephen.black@ttu.edu

Dr. Eduardo Pérez Alonso
The Universidad de Guanajuato
Lascuráin de Retana No. 5, second floor; Col. Centro;
CP 36000; Guanajuato, Gto, Mexico
Telephone: 011 52 473 73 2 00 06
Fax: 011 52 473 73 2 50 51
perezalonsoeduardo@yahoo.com.mx

Daniel Ortega
The University of New Mexico
MSC11-6070
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Telephone: (505) 277-5723
Fax: (505) 277-1597
ortega@law.unm.edu