University of St. Thomas

When asked what one word best describes the legal studies in business major at St. Thomas, a faculty member replied, “sophisticated.”

A real student asks:

 

What are legal studies in business?

A legal studies in business faculty member responds: “Legal studies in business is a unique major that combines the study of business and law.”

A real student asks:

 

Do most majors become lawyers?

A legal studies in business faculty member responds: “Not according to our most recent data. A student survey we conducted two years ago indicated that the substantial majority of legal studies in business majors went on to business careers and that most who were considering a graduate degree were considering an M.B.A. We do have a fair number of students who have gone one to law school and to public policy administration.”

What jobs are possible with a Legal Studies in Business major?

What are recent graduates doing now?

Danielle Hansen ’04, triple major in legal studies in business, operations management and Spanish, was a finalist in the Academy of Legal Studies in Business National Student Paper Contest. Her paper investigated the United Nations’ Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and compared antidiscrimination law in the United States, Mexico and Argentina. The summer after graduation she interned at Medtronic. Her work, particularly in the area of administering and reviewing contracts, led to a full-time position. She has also worked on NAFTA compliance under Annex 401 for certificates of origin for products manufactured in Mexico.

What opportunities are there to bolster my resume while I'm in the program?

Internships. There are numerous internship opportunities in industry, the nonprofit sector and the legal profession.

Last year the department overwhelmingly recommended Mike Mulder ’06 for an internship at Paddock Labs, a local generic pharmaceuticals company. Part of what made this job appropriate for a legal studies in business major was the work with drug patents: the position required an understanding of patents and an ability to think critically in the research and analysis of materials on the PTO databases. Michael performed so well that he was hired as a business development expert.

Study abroad. The majority of the finance students who do study abroad go through the London Business Program because it is explicitly set up to not delay the graduation of business majors.  We also have had two real estate programs over J-Term in Rome and the Caribbean. These programs give students the opportunity to witness the application of finance in a context different from that in the United States.

Faculty at work

Faculty members oversee numerous independent study research projects, including projects on sports law and intellectual property.

Professor Susan Marsnik collaborated with students on the following projects:  

The Need for International Environmental Law: An Examination of the Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol Between the U.S. and Canada, with Adine Momoh (Summer 2005). Winner of the Tri-State Academy of Legal Studies in Business Student Paper Award 

Evolution of Women’s Rights in the Americas, with Danielle Hansen (Spring 2004). Selected for presentation at the 2004 Academy of Legal Studies in Business annual conference and as a runner-up for the Best Student Paper Award) 

An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Data Privacy Laws in the United States and European Union, with Brian Kalis (Spring 2003). Selected for presentation at the 2003 Academy of Legal Studies in Business annual conference, chosen for publication in the proceedings, and was a runner-up for the Best Student Paper Award.

Copyright Law and the Quest for Joining the WTO in the Russian Federation, with Jeff Kogan (Spring 2003). Selected for presentation at the 2003 Tri-State Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting, chosen for publication in the proceedings, and tied for the Best Student Paper Award.

Professor Dawn Swink collaborated on the following:

An Examination of Major Professional Sports Leagues: Current, Proposed, and Recommended Policies of Anabolic Steroid Regulation, with Mark Brandenburger (Spring 2005). Selected for presentation at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business annual conference August 2005.