Insper has established an unprecedented partnership with Notre Dame Law School, one of the most renowned in the United States. The agreement includes student and faculty exchanges, research collaborations, and joint events, reinforcing Insper's commitment to an international excellence in legal education.

 

“This partnership has two very significant aspects: first, the direct impact on students, and second, the academic exchange between faculty, with faculty exchange and joint research,” explains Professor Flavia Piazza, Associate Dean for International Development at Insper. “We already have a Notre Dame professor (Paul Miller) scheduled to teach at Insper in 2026, as well as an Insper professor (Rafael Belem de Lima) who will travel there next year.” Additionally, a conference on legal research is planned, further strengthening the collaboration between the institutions.

 

On March 10, Insper welcomed Professor G. Marcus Cole, Dean of Notre Dame Law School, for a roundtable discussion with the Academic Unit and the external audience. The meeting discussed the challenges and opportunities brought by technological changes in the global legal market and marked the celebration of the signing of the agreement.

 

 

Careful Selection

 

According to Professor Pedro Cantisano, Notre Dame Law School conducted a rigorous selection process to define its partners in Brazil, choosing only two institutions: one in Rio de Janeiro and the other in São Paulo. In the case of Insper, the decision came after a visit from the Notre Dame Dean of International Programs, who evaluated the program, the academic projects, and the interdisciplinarity of Insper. "They were impressed with how we integrate Law with other areas, such as Data and Decision Sciences, which is still uncommon in traditional legal education," Cantisano points out. This differentiation impressed the Notre Dame team, leading to further meetings and the final deliberation that confirmed Insper as the exclusive partner in São Paulo. According to Cantisano, beyond being selected, Insper also chose Notre Dame for its international relevance. Among the practical benefits of the partnership, Cantisano highlights the exchange of students and professors. “Our students will be able to spend a semester at Notre Dame, a valuable opportunity for academic and professional development. He also emphasizes the exchange of faculty as part of a broader program of academic collaboration. 

 

Professor Ivar Hartmann, who visited the University of Notre Dame campus in October 2023 and participated in the initial meetings that culminated in the signing of the partnership, underscores the agreement’s significance. “Rafael Belem will teach Constitutional Decisions to Notre Dame students as a visiting professor—not just as a visiting researcher. And this involvement will be funded by the American university itself, which reinforces the prestige of our faculty.” Founded in 1842, Notre Dame is a private Catholic university located in South Bend, Indiana. Hartmann highlights that the Notre Dame Law School holds a prominent position in the international academic legal landscape—according to the U.S. News & World Report ranking, the most used in the United States to assess law schools, Notre Dame was tied for 20th place in 2024, among more than 100 institutions in that country listed in the ranking.

 

 

Opportunities for students

 

From the seventh semester on, Insper students will be able to take courses at Notre Dame, earning credits for their undergraduate education in Brazil. Additionally, they will have the option to use these credits to enter the LL.M. (Master of Laws) program at the American university. “Insper's curriculum structure facilitates this type of exchange,” Hartmann explains. “Unlike most law schools in Brazil, which have five years of required courses, Insper organizes its curriculum so that from the seventh semester on, students can take elective courses. This allows a semester abroad not to delay the completion of the program.” Regarding the differences between the legal systems of Brazil and the United States, Hartmann comments: “Despite the differences, there are many common principles in areas like Constitutional Law, Taxation and Business. And the international experience can be a differentiator both for those who wish to operate globally and for those who will pursue careers in Brazil.” Professor Cantisano highlights other advantages: contact with an influential legal system globally, the opportunity to study with a highly qualified faculty, and the strengthening of the curriculum for those who wish to apply for a LL.M. in the United States.

 

 

New connections

 

Professor Diego Werneck Arguelhes emphasizes that this partnership demonstrates a new interest of the university in the region. “The University of Notre Dame has a historical connection with Latin America, but until now, its Law School was not as engaged with this connection. For us, it is very relevant to be part of this initial group of partners.” Another important aspect of the collaboration is the possibility of bringing new perspectives to the study of Law. “In the United States, law schools tend to be very internally focused, as they are part of a highly institutionalized and competitive legal market. However, over the last three decades, the best schools have started to look increasingly outward. This differentiates them from schools with a more local reputation. Notre Dame's interest in connecting with Insper and other foreign institutions reflects this openness to a more globalized debate on legal topics.” In addition to undergraduate exchanges, the partnership could open doors for students interested in advancing their studies abroad. “Notre Dame hosts many foreign students for programs such as the LL.M. and also has a Doctoral Program in Law,” says Arguelhes. “In the future, as the collaboration strengthens, this connection may facilitate Insper students’ entry into these programs, especially those interested in human rights. It is, without a doubt, an excellent place for this kind of education.”

 

 

A step beyond

 

Currently, Insper maintains over 130 international partnerships. “In recent years, our focus has been on qualifying these collaborations, with programs like progressive degrees, which allow students to continue their studies abroad,” says Professor Flavia Piazza. In the field of Law, in addition to Notre Dame, Insper has similar agreements for LL.M. with Temple University, Fordham University, the University of Southern California, and Chicago-Kent College of Law. “The partnership with Notre Dame goes further, involving from the outset the exchange of professors and joint research,” she concludes.