This program offers the opportunity to specialize in an area that is critical to facilitating cross-border commerce and navigating the legal challenges faced by multinational corporations.
John Assefa
LL.M Student Commercial and Company Law 2023-2024
Year of graduation: August 2024
LLB (Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia)
LLM (Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
LLM specialization: International Commercial and Company Law
LLM thesis topic: Sustainability and Corporate Governance in Ethiopia and the European Union: A Comparative Perspective
The reason that motivated me to
The reason that motivated me to choose the master's program in International Commercial and Company Law was that I was deeply interested in the complexities of global trade and the legal frameworks that govern international business operations. This program offers the opportunity to specialize in an area that is critical to facilitating cross-border commerce and navigating the legal challenges faced by multinational corporations. My career goal is to work as a legal advisor in a global firm where I can apply my knowledge to influence corporate strategies and ensure compliance with international regulations mainly those related to the interplay of sustainability and corporate practices. Additionally, the opportunity to learn from highly prominent experts at Erasmus School of Law in the field was a significant factor in my decision.
After joining the master’s program in international commercial and company law, I really appreciated it. Because it covered a lot of legal topics which are highly relevant in the business world, mainly commercial law, international corporate governance law, company law and restructuring, law on carriage of goods, and so on. Moreover, with the inclusion of case studies, the program provided a deep understanding of how law intersect with global business operations. Additionally, it provided me with knowledge about the direct impact of the legal principles in the business world. The opportunity to be lectured by seasoned and prominent professors is also another appreciable thing. However, the demanding workload and fast-paced nature of the program were challenging at times, leaving little room for other activities. As a matter of expectation, I expected a broad focus on international legal frameworks, and the program has delivered this through its diverse range of international legal frameworks and global case studies.
The course ‘international corporate governance law’ was my favorite one. It gave me a deep understanding of the structure and governance of companies across various jurisdictions. it highly influenced my understanding of corporate social responsibility and accountability and highly motivated me to do my master’s thesis on the topic that comparatively assessed the interplay of sustainability and corporate governance in the corporate governance legal frameworks of Ethiopia and the European Union.
The program has strengthened my academic career of critically thinking about corporate- related legal issues and analyzing complex legal issues from diverse legal points of view. The connections I’ve made with peers and professors will be a lasting asset, providing a network of professionals with whom I can collaborate in the future.
Dear prospective students, Erasmus University Rotterdam in general and Erasmus School of Law in particular are not just centers of excellence and knowledge but also places that everyone can feel at home. So, just be a critical thinker and make your minds matter everything!