Sunday, June 8 to Thursday, July 10, 2025

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International Business and Trade Summer Law Program in Kraków Poland

Catholic University's joint venture with the Jagiellonian University in Kraków provides students with intensive training in law of the European Union and global aspects of modern trade, comparative perspectives on regulated industries and antitrust laws in the U.S. and the EU, international business transactions, and other substantive areas of law. Classes are conducted in English at the 14th-century Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Unlike most summer abroad programs, a number of English-speaking law students from Polish universities also participate. The Polish and American students attend classes together and participate in all co-curricular activities together. This cross-cultural aspect of the Kraków program is unique and has resulted in many lasting friendships and business contacts.

June 28-29, 2024

United States and Central Europe Connection Weekend: US and EU Perspectives on ESG: Towards a sustainable world or a dangerous utopia?

On June 28-29, 2024, the US-CEE Connection Weekend: US and EU Perspectives on ESG: Towards a sustainable world or a dangerous utopia? took place in the Jagiellonian University’s beautiful Collegium Novum, just off the main square, with a Friday reception and Saturday lunch in other historic Kraków venues. The event was sponsored by the Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, and Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

The conference brought a host of lawyers, business people, and government officials to consider the past, present, and future potential and challenges of ESG and sustainability. The opening keynote lecture was presented by Prof. Jacek Jastrzębski, Chair of the KNF Board (Polish Financial Supervision Authority), and Associate Professor at University of Warsaw. Prof. Jacek Jastrzębski’s talk was followed by a panel that addressed multiple perspectives on defining sustainability including philosophical, religious, and international law perspectives on sustainable development. Panelists also consider overarching questions like what is/should be encompassed in ESG, purposes sought to be served, and relative effectiveness of contemplated approaches in achieving those goals.

The next morning, panels included a dialogue between the Honorable Phyllis C. Borzi, Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security of the US Department of Labor (2009–2017) and Catholic Law Board of Visitors, and Jack Murphy, Director of the Catholic Law Securities Law Program, on the question of Where is responsibility for and interest in ESG investment located in the US government? Differing EU and US Approaches to Promoting ESG goals. Several panels followed covering differing EU and US approaches to promoting ESG goals; competing visions of corporate interests and ESG goals; and legal and business perspectives on practice challenges in meeting ESG requirements.

Among distinguished speakers were The Honorable Hester M. Peirce, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner; Annette Capretta, Chief Counsel, Investment Company Institute (ICI) Global, Washington, D.C.; Jacek Jastrzębski, Chair of the KNF Board (Polish Financial Supervision Authority) and Associate Professor at University of Warsaw; Beata Tylman-Nowakowska, Director of Primary Market Department, Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW); and Małgorzata Szewc, Vice President of the Management Board, Polish Association of Listed Companies (SEG).

Jagiellonian University Faculty of Law and Administration and The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law have partnered in legal education since 1992. More than 2,100 lawyers from the US, Poland, and third countries have graduated from one of the three CUA Law cooperative programs with UJ.

This event was supported by a grant from the Faculty of Law and Administration under the Strategic Programme Excellence Initiative at Jagiellonian University.

Kraków, a Historic University Town and a Major Center of International Business and Trade

Experience first-hand a country in transition. Ravaged by two world wars, Poland suffered tremendously throughout the course of the 20th century. World War II was particularly damaging, as Poland's historically strong Jewish population was almost wholly annihilated in the Holocaust. With the fall of the Third Reich, Poland effectively lost its independence once again, becoming a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union. By the turn of the 21st century, Poland was a market-based democracy, abundant in products of all kinds, and a member of both NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the European Union (EU).

Kraków experienced significant globalization in the past 20 years, and today, is a city center with a thriving base for international businesses with a focus on outsourcing. Despite its growth as an emerging free market economy and European leader, Kraków retains its old world charm. Kraków's center, known as Rynek Glowny Market Square, spans approximately ten acres, and is by far the largest city plaza in Europe. The Rynek Glowny is teemed with busy cafes, clubs, restaurants, shopping, antiques and endless curiosities for locals and visitors to explore. As a city on UNESCO's World Natural and Cultural Heritage list, Kraków is one of Europe's vibrant masterpieces known for with its architectural beauty and cultural heritage.

The Jagiellonian University

Catholic Law's International Business and Trade Summer Law Program is hosted in cooperation with the Jagiellonian University, which was founded in the 14th century and is one of Europe's most prestigious universities. It counts among its distinguished alumni the renaissance scientist Nicholas Copernicus and Pope John Paul II. The university's law faculty is regarded as one of the finest in Central Europe. With more than 40,000 students attending the Jagiellonian University, Kraków is in many ways the quintessential college town. During the summer, many students can be found at the university taking classes and working around the city. June and July are the busiest months in Kraków for cultural and music festivals, including historic and traditional religious celebrations, month-long jazz and opera music festivals, and numerous other theatrical and musical events happening almost daily in the market square.

"I had never been to Poland before and wasn't sure what to expect. Not only did I learn a lot about comparative international law, I also discovered the beauty of the Polish culture and people. Thanks to the many memories and friendships made, I will always look back fondly upon my time in Poland. And I count the days until I can return again!"- Andrea Bautista '10

Cultural and Professional exchange through international study

The Summer Law Program in Kraków—HIGHLIGHTS

  • Poland is an ideal setting for our summer law program with its focus on law of the European Union and international business and trade law. Students can build a summer experience of their choice by using the modular schedule that offers many options to organize one's summer abroad.
  • The academic program, scheduled from June 8 to July 10, 2025, features four two-credit courses: Law of the European Union, International Investment Law. The Implications of the U.S. Supreme Court on Separation of Powers for International Business, and Complex Civil Litigation in the U.S. for Global Businesses.
  • Optional externships with top law firms and other legal organization are available in Warsaw and Kraków. Externship are taken for academic credit and begin as early as May 19 through August 9. Students must enroll in the online course called Becoming an International Lawyer for one credit and in Legal Externship for one, two, or three credits to coincide with the number of hours of work at the placement. Students earn one credit for every 60 hours of work at the externship placement. Catholic Law students may satisfy a portion of the J.D. degree requirement for experiential learning by taking part in an arranged externship through the summer program.
  • Since the inception of the Program, Polish law students have participated in the program and they offer a unique comparative legal perspective. A strong alumni network is the outcome of the numerous personal and professional relationships forged between the Americans and Poles. We are grateful to our Polish alumni for providing externship placements for our American student participants.

The Kraków Summer Law Program from The Catholic University of America, is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.