Expanding the law school’s global engagement efforts, USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson traveled to Asia in September, hosting a series of events in Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen ties with alumni across the region.
The trip, which generated local media coverage, included alumni receptions, lunchtime discussions and meetings with some of Asia’s most influential law firms. Nearly 200 Gould alumni — including graduates from the earliest classes of the Master of Laws (LLM) program — attended the law school alumni receptions, organized in collaboration with the USC international offices.
The programs provided an opportunity for Tolson to share her collaborative vision for the future of the law school, as well as explore new opportunities for engagement.
“Each year, our graduate and international programs attract talented students from over 40 countries across 5 continents worldwide,” Tolson said in her address. “USC Gould now offers more than 10 customized master’s degrees and over 15 graduate certificates, in addition to our JD degree.”
She added, “As part of my strategic vision, I’m excited to concentrate on several student-centered priorities — expanding our student scholarship program; expanding experiential learning opportunities; deepening Gould’s faculty expertise; continuing to upgrade our current physical facilities; and launching new graduate programs that further our legacy as innovators in legal education.”
During her stop in Shanghai, Tolson was interviewed by several major news outlets in China, including YiCai, The Economic Observer and JieMian, discussing changes to legal education and the legal profession in the light of new digital technology and AI. The news stories topped 11 million impressions.
In addition, USC Senior Counsel and USC Gould Lecturer in Law Steve Yamaguchi and USC Gould’s Graduate and International Programs Assistant Director of Admissions Stefani Lee joined the dean on the week-long Asia visit.
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