Program and Event

Commercial Law Specialist Visits Laos

Commercial law specialist Michael Weissman and interpreter Mr. Soulivanh Sithprasay

Fulbright Senior Specialist Michael Weissman, an attorney at the Chicago-based law firm of Holland and Knight, LLP, came to Laos in August 2008 to work on curriculum development and commercial law training programs for the National University’s Faculty of Law.  Mr. Weissman is a specialist in commercial law, with a practice devoted to financial and business transactions, particularly in the banking sector. He is also an adjunct professor at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where he has been teaching since 2001.  

Meeting with staff from the Faculty of Law, Mr. Weissman helped assess the current curriculum and resources used at the National University of Laos to teach the basics of commercial and contract law. He then discussed training needs and possible new materials and new topics to include in their programs. Mr. Weissman also conducted a one-day workshop with the Lao Bar Association on identifying and evaluating different parts of contracts used by foreign investors and private sector businesses.