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USC Gould announces new partnership with India’s BITS Law School

Charlotte Hastings • July 10, 2025
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Collaboration offers opportunities for students to explore international legal systems

USC Gould School of Law’s Graduate and International Programs has introduced a new partnership with Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Law School in Mumbai. This new development offers students the opportunity to study abroad and gain international experience while in law school.

From left, Anitha Cadambi, Dean Franita Tolson, Dean Ashish Bharadwaj, and Shishir Kumar Upadhyaya.

“We are thrilled to build this partnership with BITS Law School, as our connection reflects USC Gould’s belief in collaboration and education,” USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson said. “Together, we aim to foster collaborative research and dynamic pathways for students including a specialized program that will allow students completing their final year at BITS Law School to enroll in one of our on-campus LLM programs.”

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed April 16 at BITS Law School, with USC Gould Professor D. Daniel Sokol, USC Gould Senior Associate Director of Graduate & International Programs Anitha Cadambi, and Shishir Kumar Upadhyaya, director of the USC India Office, joining Tolson at the ceremony. The partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for future academic collaboration, which includes a potential dual degree (LL.B.–J.D.) program, student and faculty exchanges, collaborative teaching, research, policy initiatives, and plans for a future summer school program held at USC Gould.

From left, Dean Ashish Bharadwaj, Dean Franita Tolson, and D. Daniel Sokol.

“BITS Law School is proud to partner with the 125-year-old USC Gould School of Law. Based on shared values, this partnership will set a benchmark for how transnational legal education today should reflect the realities of the present and the future,” said BITS Law School Dean Ashish Bharadwaj. “USC Gould and BITS Law share areas of specialization in entertainment, technology, and media law. This partnership will help law students build a deeper understanding of the law in rapidly evolving fields.”

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