newsletter - Bucerius Law School

NEWSLETTER
Inhouse News for Alumni and Friends of the Bucerius Law School
September 2007 page 1
EDITORIAL
Dear Friends of the Bucerius Law School,
A summer without stable weather and – alas – without
the FIFA World Cup! This is the land and city that we
know and love. Hamburg and Bucerius Law School are
always a treat when we are blessed with summer
weather. Whoever spends time on our campus or returns
to it after traveling will be well entertained. The same
applies to this newsletter. The reader can learn about the
sailing cup and the first MLB graduation ceremony, where
participants from all over the world were awarded their
master degree. Merchandising introduced a new collection
line. The ZEIT-Stiftung’s week long “Schülercampus
Jura 2007“ turned fifty soon-to-be high school graduates
into an enthusiastic study group. Students, staff and professors
of the Bucerius Law School actively participated in
the Schülercampus inspiring the young participants. The
China programs in Beijing, Shanghai und Souzhou are in
full swing. For the first time, a training course to specialize
in tax law was held at the Law School. It was organized
by the “Deutsches Anwaltsinstitut” (German Legal
Institute). Our School remains full of life. In spite of the
hard work on essays for the state examination, dissertations
and exam preparatory courses, there is a festive
spirit on the campus. The newsletter, in my opinion,
represents this. While all this is happening, we are already
rushing on to the next events, especially looking forward
to the festive reception of the new entering class.
I hope our readers share my enjoyment in reading the
newsletter.
Yours,
Karsten Schmidt
President
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FIRST MASTER OF LAW AND BUSINESS GRADUATES!
Avoka Awenlinbilla, Ghana
Nadia Derar, Egypt
Laila El Shentenawi, Egypt
Rodrigo Hart, Peru
Ana Kersevan, Slovenia
Tamás Kolnhofer, Hungary
Fabian Lieschke, Germany
Allen Lin, USA
Shobhan M.P., India
Neema Mwingu, Tanzania
Euridice Palma, Mexico
Vaneeta Patnaik, India
Manpreet Sabharwal, England
Maximilian Schwaiger, Germany
Stefan Stefanov, Bulgaria
Fanuel Uugwanga, Namibia
Alexander Wulf, Germany
Dongzhen Yu, P.R. China
Weijun Zeng, P.R. China
Ziwei Zhu, P.R. China

NEWSLETTER
Inhouse News for Alumni and Friends of the Bucerius Law School
September 2007 page 2
FIRST MASTER GRADUATES
First MLB Class Honored
by Maite Anna Bäurle, Marketing und Student Services MLB Program
On Tuesday, August 28, 2007, the Bucerius Law School
and the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management
awarded the first class of the Master of Law and Business
Program (“MLB“) their degrees. The 20 graduates were
honored in the auditorium of the Bucerius Law School.
The graduates were visibly proud of their newly awarded
degrees. As tradition dictates, the caps were thrown into
the air at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Hariolf Wenzler, CEO of both the Bucerius Law School and
the Master of Law and Business Program, narrated the
ceremony. Karsten Schmidt, President of the Bucerius
Law School, Klaus Brockhoff, Chairman of the WHU Board
of Trustees and Wenzler were clearly pleased with the
development of the program from the beginning vision to
the first graduation ceremony. Rainer Heydenreich, Vice-
Chairman of the UBS Deutschland AG, not only congratulated
the graduates but also their families, who had arrived
from all corners of the world. He expressed the wish
that one day, he would see his children on the same
stage. During his keynote speech, Andreas Nick, Managing
Director and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Sal.
Oppenheim jr. & Cie. KgaA, discussed the interplay of law
and business in a global context during his keynote
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2007 STARTED
speech. He further emphasized the necessity of accepting
social responsibility in both professional and private life.
Clifford Larsen, Dean of the MLB and UBS Professor of
Law, recognized the people responsible for successfully
implementing the underlying concept of the Program: The
Boards of Trustees, sponsors, lecturers, staff, parents
and, of course, the students. Markus Rudolf, Program
Director and Dresdner Bank Professor of Finance, charmingly
outlined special characteristic traits of the “pioneers“
from 14 countries. Fabian Lieschke, student representative
for the MLB class, also referred to the intercultural
exchange. This cultural exchange is evident in the
MLB Image Film that was produced especially for this
program. Before the 45 participants of the “Class of 2008“
(from 27 countries) were called onto the stage, Lieschke
appealed to them to continue to foster the special nature
of the program. After a year of intensive study, experiences
gained during the required internship and a master’s
thesis, diverse futures are open to the graduates:
Some have already signed employment contracts in Germany
or abroad, others will return – at more favorable
conditions - to their previous employers, still others will
continue on the academic path and start their Ph.D. studies.
The Bucerius Law School hopes that the alumni will
stay in touch with each other and the universities through
the respective alumni organizations, and also looks forward
to the new MLB class!
On August 30, 2007 the sixth International
Exchange Program started with
69 guest students from 16 countries.
They come from Argentina, Australia,
Canada, China, Great Britain, Israel,
Italy, India, Greece, New Zealand, the
Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea,
Sweden, Turkey and the USA.
The International Program began with
its traditional two-day Orientation Program,
not only a time during which visa
matters, city registration and academic
advising were addressed, but also an

NEWSLETTER
Inhouse News for Alumni and Friends of the Bucerius Law School
September 2007 page 3
important opportunity for guest students and the German
students to get acquainted.
For the International Program this year, we have the privilege
to welcome the following guest professors and legal
practitioners: Yesim Atamer (Istanbul Bilgi University),
Stathis Banakas (Lecturer in Law, University of East Anglia
Norwich Law School), John Barceló III. (Cornell University),
Dana Beldiman (Santa Clara University and Carroll Burdick
and McDonough LLP), Tobias Bender (Graf von Westphalen
LLP), Thomas Bruha (Professor of Law, University
of Hamburg), David Clark (Willamette University), James
Hanks (Venable LLP), Peter Hay (Professor of Law, Emory
University), Lars Kirchhoff (Ade, Gläßer, Kirchhoff, Olbrisch
– Kanzlei für Mediation), Robert Mundheim (Shearman
Sterling LLP). Stefan Oeter (Professor of Law, University of
Hamburg), Amos Shapira (Tel Aviv University).
The German Law Survey Course is being held by Bucerius
Law School faculty members Michael Fehling, Florian
Faust, Hermann Pünder, Karsten Thorn, Birgit Weitemeyer
and visiting lecturer Lutz Eidam (University of Frankfurt).
Furthermore, the Bucerius professors Karsten Thorn, Axel
Kämmerer are teaching their LL.B. courses in English
allowing the exchange students to participate in their
courses.
During their semester at Bucerius students will have the
option to take part in a series of extracurricular activities,
such as a five-day study trip to Berlin and Potsdam,
guided walking tours through Hamburg and Luebeck, a
visit of the former Concentration Camp Neuengamme, a
visit to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
and two guided tours through the current exhibitions of
the Bucerius Art Forum.
We warmly welcome the international exchange students
and wish them an academically and personally enhancing
time at Bucerius and in Hamburg.
RESEARCH AND ACADEMIA
SEMINARS IN CHINA
Bucerius Law School in Suzhou and Beijing
For the fourth consecutive year, the Bucerius Law
School has offered advanced legal training courses in
China. The “Workshop in international business transactions
with Chinese characteristics“ was held in Suzhou
from July 16 to August 3, 2007. The seminar is a joint
offering of the Bucerius Law School, Cornell Law School
(Ithaca, USA) and the Kenneth Wang Law School (Suzhou,
China). Law school students from China, the USA and
Europe worked together in multinational teams. The
teams represented the interests of hypothetical Chinese,
US American and European clients in various fictitious
business transactions.
During the summer seminar offered by the Bucerius Law
School in Beijing, 39 selected lawyers and junior scholars
from Chinese and international law faculties, law firms
and businesses received additional training in commercial
law. The seminar was held from August 6 to August 15,
2007. The local partner, the Institute of Law of the Chinese
Academy of Social Sciences (“CASS”), also advises
the Chinese Government in matters regarding the development
of legal practices and laws.
There is great demand for qualified Chinese lawyers who
speak English and are knowledgeable about international

NEWSLETTER
Inhouse News for Alumni and Friends of the Bucerius Law School
September 2007 page 4
commercial law. Said lawyers are highly desired by many
of the local companies and law firms. Through the initial
sponsorship of the ZEIT Foundation, the summer school in
Beijing has developed into a competitive educational
training opportunity on the Chinese market.
DOCTORATES COMPLETED
Dissertation in Legal Risks for Insolvency
Administrators
After successfully completing his oral examinations on
July 27, 2007, a doctorate was conferred on Frank Biermann
for a dissertation on the legal risks of being an
insolvency administrator. His dissertation was supervised
by Professor Erich Samson.
Topics dealt with in the dissertation include, among other
things, the question of the transfer of special criminal
responsibilities to the insolvency administrator pursuant
to paragraph 14 of the German penal code as well as
inquiry into the culpability of the administrator. For instance,
the facts of the case are checked by testing for
suspected embezzlement.
Dissertation in Corporate Right of Co-
Determination
After successfully completing his oral examinations on
July 24, 2007, a doctorate was conferred on Mathias Bock
for his dissertation on the corporate right of codetermination
in the Societas Europaea (“SE”). After the
European lawmakers adopted the SE as the first limited
liability company form based on European law, a number
of pressing problems arise in the area of codetermination.
The form of co-determination known in
Germany is met with refusal aboard. Albeit codetermination
must still be applied according to the statutes
of the SE even and especially when foreign and
German founding partners are represented in the SE. This
is true as far as no alternative agreements have been
reached between the employers and employees. The
author further explores whether or not the forced transfer
of co-determination to the SE represents a violation of
European contract law, in particular the right of establishment
contained in section 43 of the EC. As the founding
of a SE represents a cross-border case in the opinion
of the author, he considers it a breach of European Contract
Law. He sees the legal basis for such an infringement
as being contained in the German co-determination
laws and supports the harmonization of the standards by
moving from equal representation (50 %) to the more
commonly applied one-third representation. One-third
representation is widely accepted in Europe. The dissertation
was supervised by Professor Matthias Jacobs (Chair
for Civil Law, Labor Law and Law of Civil Procedure).
STUDENT LIFE
THIRD PLACE IN SAILING
Presidential Cup of the Hamburg Universities
by Yorck Frese, Student
O ver the past years, the Presidential Cup of the Hamburg
universities has become a fixed component of
sailing activities in the summer. “Hochschulsport” provides
the sailboats that the Hamburg universities and
their faculties use to compete against each other on the
Alster; whereas at least one team member must be a
member of the executive board of the university.

NEWSLETTER
Inhouse News for Alumni and Friends of the Bucerius Law School
September 2007 page 5
This year the Bucerius Law School team was the defending
champion with Hariolf Wenzler for the first time as
captain. He is the CEO of Bucerius Law School since 2007.
The wind was blowing around two to three beaufort, the
rain clouds circumvented the Alster, making it a perfect
day for sailing.
After an exciting race, Bucerius Law School finished third.
They will be back again next year after having trained
intensely on perhaps their own Law School sailboat?
Bucerius Law School’s Sailing Team
BUCERIUS EDUCATION GMBH
ILEC Certificates Awarded
by Natja Rühl, Program Manager
On August 6, 2007, the certificates for the International
Legal English Certificate („ILEC“) test were ceremoniously
awarded in the Hamburg offices of the law firm Freshfields
Bruckhaus Deringer. The participants were seven
lawyers from the law firm as well as four of Bucerius Law
School’s research assistants. They had all attended the inhouse
seminar
“Legal English and Contract Drafting“ offered by the Bucerius
Education GmbH. According to the recently released
results, the German candidates passed the test with flying
colors. ILEC examines the English legal language
knowledge that lawyers working in an international field
need in their daily professional lives. The test takes four
hours. The four basic language skills were tested: listening,
reading, speaking and writing. ILEC certifies language
skills at the level B2 or C1 in accordance with the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages
(“CEFR”). James Faulkner, Director Bucerius Law
School Legal Language Program, taught the preparatory
classes and administered the test.
IMPORTANT DATES
Events held at the Bucerius Law School
SEPTEMBER
• On Friday, September 28, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., the
Commencement Ceremony for the entering class
of 2007 will take place at the Hamburg Chamber of
Commerce. As in the past year, all of those who have
passed their First State Examination or obtained their
doctorate or their post-doctorate qualification will be
congratulated on their achievements. In addition, the
new entering class, the international students and
the Master’s Students will be welcomed. The keynote
speaker is Dr. Klaus von Dohnanyi, former Mayor of
the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The award
for juridicial excellence and notable social engagement
will be conferred. Afterwards the ZEIT-Stiftung
Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius officially inaugurates the
“Bucerius Center for Graduate Studies –
Deutsche Bank Hall“ at Bucerius Law School. For
further information, please contact Maike Lütkens,
Director, Bucerius Event, at maike.luetkens@lawschool.de.
• Likewise on Friday, September 28, 2007, friends
and sponsors of Bucerius Law School are invited to a
private opening of the Goßlerhaus in Hamburg
Blankenese at 7 p.m. For further information, please
contact Maike Lütkens, Director, Bucerius Event, at
maike.luetkens@law-school.de.

NEWSLETTER
Inhouse News for Alumni and Friends of the Bucerius Law School
September 2007 page 6
Events organized by the Institute for Foundation
Law and the Law of Non-Profit Organizations
SEPTEMBER
• On September 27, 2007, the Institute for Foundation
Law and the Law of Non-Profit Organizations
is extending an invitation to a Discussion about:
“Foundations in Europe – are we on the path to
establishing a European Foundation?“ Hanna
Surmatz, Legal Counsel in the European Foundation
Centre, Brüssel, will explore to what extent the
current initiatives might be successful in creating a
supranational European Foundation. She will also address
whether the European Commission will strive
to “coordinate“ the fiscal status of charitable organizations.
The discussion takes place in the Lovells lecture
hall at 6 p.m. Registration is possible through
Gudrun Schmid (at gudrun.schmid@law-school.de) or
by fax at (040) 3 07 06 – 275.
Editorial
Bucerius Law School
Hochschule für Rechtswissenschaft
Law School Management
Karsten Schmidt, President
Hariolf Wenzler, CEO
Doris König, Vice President
Jungiusstraße 6
20355 Hamburg
Editing and Contact:
Birte Gall
International Exchange Program, Director
birte.gall@law-school.de
Translation:
Aimee Mattimoe