Country of Citizenship

Philippines

Current Position

Executive Assistant to the Dean/College Secretary/Medical School Registrar/Associate Professor, University of Perpetual Help Rizal

Bio

Albert S. Alday now works for the University of Perpetual Help Rizal as the executive assistant to the dean, college secretary, Medical School registrar, and associate professor, and he has 12 years experience in higher education. Prior to joining the University full time, Albert practiced three years at a law firm focusing on intellectual property enforcement and registration for international clients. Albert holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines, Bachelor of Laws from the University of Perpetual Help Rizal, and a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Theology from Amer College of Metaphysical Theology.

Why I chose the Executive LL.M. Program

“The program lends flexibility and opportunity to busy professionals like me who aspire for a rewarding and promising career in the corporate world without sacrificing sufficient exposure to the basic tenets of International Business Law.”

Country of Citizenship

Honduras

Current Position

Chief Legal Counselor for Ficohsa Financial Group

Bio

Ernesto Alfonso Carrasco Castro is the Chief Legal Counselor for Ficohsa Financial Group, which includes three banks in the Central American region, an insurance company, a currency exchange company, a banking representative office in Florida and Ficohsa Express a remittances office with operations in six states of the US. His practice includes banking law, insurance law, trust law and corporate law. He holds a Bachelor of Law from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras and a MBA from Monterrey Technological Institute.

Why I chose the Executive LL.M. Program

“I came to BU, because of its prestige, its unique executive program and inspired on the need for advanced training in US Law for international lawyers.”

Country of Citizenship

U.S.A.

Bio

The Honorable Keila D. Cosme served on the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. She received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Sociology from Boston University in 1990, and her Juris Doctorate from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1994. Prior to her time on the court, Judge Cosme was the managing partner of Cosme, D'Angelo and Szollosi Co., L.P.A., in Toledo, Ohio, and she practiced in the areas of corporate counseling, commercial litigation and labor and employment.

What interested me about the Executive LL.M. Program

“As an alumnus, the choice to apply to Boston University's program and to pursue this particular LL.M. degree was a natural extension of both where I have been, and where I seek to go. Boston University's LL.M. program presented a unique opportunity to expand my career towards the world of international business law while providing a solid foundation and in-depth knowledge from a leading law school. Beyond a curriculum that is designed to accommodate my needs as a practitioner with a flexible approach to education, the short residency periods also allow me to pursue the LL.M. without leaving my family and professional life behind.”

Country of Citizenship

U.S.A.

Current Position

Attorney, Davis Graham & Stubbs

Bio

Erik Estrada is an attorney with Davis Graham & Stubbs, where his practice focuses on securities regulation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and financial transactions, corporate governance, and regulatory guidance. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Denver. Before practicing law, he served as a trustee and Senior Fellow for the El Pomar Foundation and as a program officer for the Boettcher Foundation. He holds a J.D. from the University of Denver, where he was named a Chancellor's Scholar, and he holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Colorado.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

“The curriculum of this program is perfectly designed for working professionals interested in international business law. Businesses continue to seek opportunities in both domestic and international markets. Accordingly, for lawyers and other professionals that serve these businesses, they must have an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of practicing in the international realm. Boston University Law School, one of the nation's best law schools, has created another leading program that is training, equipping, and promoting lawyers who desire to have this specific skill set.”

Country of Citizenship

U.S.A.

Current Position

Partner, Amaris Development LC
Partner, Provincial Ventures LC

Bio

Jeffrey Gitto is an entrepreneur from the central Florida area. He started his first business in 1998 by co-patenting an invention that keeps socks together through the washer and dryer process. Since then, he has been involved in various ventures including commercial real estate, nightclubs, wine bars and his most recent foray into the development of green and sustainable energy production. Jeffrey decided to enroll in law school four years ago attempting to answer the many challenges the recent economic climate has presented business owners. He has since focused on the international aspects of both business and public policy, spending summers studying Public International Law at Oxford University, UK and Cultural Heritage and the Arts at the University of Sienna, Italy through the University of San Diego and Tulane Law Schools. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from University of South Florida and a J.D., cum laude, from Florida A & M School of Law. He also serves on the advisory boards of the Mennello Museum of American Art in Orlando, Florida and the Green Street Capital Corporation.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

“The course's unique structure paired with its holistic approach to the curriculum of International Business Law, initially, made it the ideal program for me. I soon after realized that there was so much more to my choice. The personal attention the professors give to each student is a direct homage to the top ranking of the University's faculty. With an excellent mix of lecture and Socratic method, coupled with concise and practical feedback from the professors, the educational experience was everything a student could want. Also, the student mixture of international attorneys provides for a robust discussion of the international case studies presented. This and so many other factors have made the program, in my opinion, an essential tool for the international practitioner. The coursework is certainly challenging, but seeing as we are a self-selecting sampling of professionals; it is achievable even in such a competitive environment.”

Country of Citizenship

Austria

Current Position

Group Manager Law & Insurance, Compliance Officer AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft

Bio

After having finished his studies of Business Administration and also Law he worked as an assistant to the professor at the Institute for Austrian, European and Comparative Public Law, Political Science and Administrative Studies of the University of Graz for two years. Then he started working as a legal counsel, as he wanted to combine the skills he has acquired through both studies. After two years serving as Head of the Legal and Tax Department of an energy supplier he changed to AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft into the position of the Group Manager for Law & Insurance and the Compliance Officer of the company. AT&S is currently Europe's largest printed circuit board manufacturer and one of the market leaders in high-end printed circuit board technology and listed at the Vienna Stock Exchange. AT&S Group has approximately 7,500 employees worldwide. In this current position his responsibilities include, in an international business environment, general counseling of the Board and Senior Executives concerning all legal issues of the whole group, in particular contract law and corporate law, contract review, claim management and litigation, negotiations with business partners and monitoring the company's compliance with statutes.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

"I would like to further improve my knowledge in international business law in a fully-fledged program but do not have enough time to attend a nine month period abroad for an LL.M. program. This prompted me to attend the Executive LL.M. in International Business Law Program of the Boston University School of Law, as the curriculum perfectly fits to my professional needs to specialize in the core topics of international business practice in a flexible format that also allows me to fulfill my professional obligations. As my previous legal training was mainly concentrated on civil law systems it is also my expectation to comprehensively and perceptively study the legal spirit and the legal system of the common law . Ultimately, finishing this LL.M.-Program would perfectly complement my previous education and my professional experience in adding to this the international dimension of law."

Country of Citizenship

U.S.A.

Current Position

Senior Director, Air Transport & Regional Jet Business, Honeywell International Inc.

Bio

Mark Linn is currently senior director of the Air Transport & Regional Jet Business at Honeywell International, and he has 23 years of contract drafting, negotiation, and interpretation experience in government, commercial, international and domestic markets.  He manages a staff of more than 20 professionals supporting Honeywell’s Air Transport & Regional Aircraft Business.  In recent years, Mark was lead contract negotiator for over $42billion in new business opportunities for his company.  He holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Missouri.

Why I chose the Executive LL.M. Program

“I believe innovation is in large part enabled through continuous reinvention of one’s potential.  These days all of us are under the gun to be not only faster, but also more intelligent, more succinct, and more creative.  If we truly want to make a step improvement in our individual and collective contributions, then first and foremost we must expand our knowledge.  From my view, the Boston University Executive LL.M. program offers an excellent opportunity to do just that.  The program’s unique scheduling flexibility and uncompromising commitment to academic excellence certainly made it the clear choice for me.  Suffice to say, I have been extremely pleased with the coursework, exceptional classmates, and highly qualified staff.“

Country of Citizenship

Canada

Current Position

Founder and Principal of Simner Corporation, an International Arbitration
and Dispute Resolution firm

Bio

Robert Néron was an administrative judge (board member) for 11 years at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) and held the position of assistant deputy chairperson for seven years. During his tenure at the IRB, Néron adjudicated high-profile cases of individuals accused of committing war crimes or crimes against humanity. Several of his decisions have been digested and published. Néron works presently as an arbitrator for different clients including the Government of Canada as an independent adjudicator. In this position, he adjudicates damage claims for the sexual, psychological and physical abuse suffered by First Nations, Métis and Inuit people when resident as children in Canada’s former, and infamous, Indian residential school system. Néron has considerable experience in providing advice in immigration law and civil litigation, as well as in providing general advice to boards of directors, drafting commercial contracts, and working inter alia on real estate transactions.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

“The flexibility of Boston University‘s Executive LL.M. program is unique. It not only allows me to continue my arbitration and ADR practice, but it also gives me an opportunity to study with top legal scholars at one of the most prestigious and selective laws school of the US. It is without hesitation that I give my unqualified recommendation to the LL.M. Executive program to any attorney who wants a first-class legal education in International Business Law, without having to interrupt his/her legal and professional career. The challenging courses that make up the program are practical and address concrete international commercial and trade law situations.”

Country of Citizenship

Honduras

Current Position

Senior Partner, Aguilar Castillo Love

Bio

Enrique Rodriguez Burchard is the country director for Aguilar Castillo Love, practicing in banking and finance law, mergers and acquisitions, mining, energy, and corporate law. In addition to his role at Aguilar Castillo Love, he also serves as a member of the National Congress of Honduras.  Before working with Aguilar Castillo Love, Enrique served as a judge for the 4th Court for Civil Justice and taught as an adjunct professor in civil procedure, civil code, introduction to legal studies, and banking law.  He holds a Bachelor of Law from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras.

Why I chose the Executive LL.M. Program

“I came to BU attracted by its reputation, the faculty and the in-depth content of this unique program. It’s flexible -but demanding- format allows me to complete the L.LM. without leaving my job for extended period of times.”

Country of Citizenship

Germany

Current Position

Attorney-at-law and Senior Associate at Mayer Brown LLP

Bio

Thomas Schubert works for the law firm Mayer Brown LLP in Germany. He specializes in corporate law, M&A, restructuring and compliance. In the course of his practice, he represents domestic and international clients from various industries including automotive, logistics and renewable energy. After having studied in Germany and Spain, Thomas earned his law degree from the University of Dresden. During his educational period, he spent time in Brussels working for European Union institutions and in Prague to get an impression of legal work in Eastern Europe. He was admitted to the bar in 2005 and started his career at White & Case LLP working in corporate law and litigation. To concentrate on advising U.S. clients on cross border issues, Thomas moved to Berlin in 2006 to start working for his current firm.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

"I was looking for a program that suits a working professional who wants to extend his knowledge about the U.S. legal system, however, I cannot leave work for several months to pursue studies abroad. What is special about the Executive LL.M. at Boston University is that it is not designed as mere distance-learning; it offers one the opportunity to attend courses in Boston, MA, with very concentrated lectures in small classes during a period of several weeks. Furthermore, I liked the mixture of learning the necessary basics in U.S. law and then focusing on U.S. trans-border transactions and related issues. After having been to Boston and attending the courses, all my expectations have not only been met, but exceeded. It is just a great program!"

Country of Citizenship

China

Current Position

Deputy Chief Contract Officer, Sinohydro Corporation Limited

Bio

Peng Shenying is currently the deputy chief contract officer for Sinohydro Corporation Limited. His work is currently focused on the management of risk and commercial projects, and he has over 15 years of international project management experience. He received his Bachelors in Scientific and Technical English from China University of Geosciences in 1989 and his Master of Science in Project Management from UMIST in 2003.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

“What interested me the most about the LL.M. Program is its flexibility of timing to finish and, of course, its mixture of subjects which are very practical... and can improve the performance of my duties for the company.”

Country of Citizenship

Costa Rica

Current Position

Associate Attorney, Facio Abogados

Bio

Fabiola Soler Bonilla is an associate attorney at Facio Abogados with 11 years experience as a Costa Rican attorney and notary public. Fabiola's practice includes corporate law, real estate law, and drafting of contracts for national and international business transactions. Previously, she managed local operations for a California-based firm with a staff of twenty-five professionals. She holds a Licentiate degree in Law from the University of Costa Rica and has been a member of the Costa Rican bar association since 2000.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

“For years, I had been searching for a top tier University program in my practice areas and fields of interest, which offered a flexible schedule that allowed for parts of it to be completed online, without missing out on the quality and learning experience of a full-time LL.M. program. As soon as I read about the BU Executive LL.M. in International Business Law before its launch date, I felt that it was built-to-suit my personal and professional needs. The 2011 Green Session has been both challenging and rewarding, with extraordinary professors, staff and peers. This program's design, teaching format and curriculum are brilliance and technology united.”

Country of Citizenship

Indonesia

Current Position

Partner, Alfredo Associates

Bio

Marini Sulaeman holds a Bachelor of Laws from Universitas Katolik Atmajaya and Master of Laws from Universitas Indonesia; both are in Jakarta- Indonesia. She is a partner at Alfredo Associates Advocates & Legal Consultants in Jakarta. Her career as a trial lawyer began in 2003 when she worked for one of the biggest and busiest litigation firm in Indonesia O.C. Kaligis & Associates. Here she was exposed to wide variety of cases, from civil, bankruptcy to white collar crimes. Prior to her appointment with her current law firm, she was working for Foreign Ministry of Republic of Indonesia and was assigned to Indonesian Consulate General in Malaysia.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

“This is the perfect program for any professionals that wish to pursue higher education in law but may not be able to leave their job for a long period of time. The program has everything to offer. It has unique design and scheduling options, highly qualified faculties and BU is one of the best education institutions in the world, I believe I have made the right decision by joining this program...”

Country of Citizenship

Russian Federation

Current Position

Managing Counsel, Contracts & Dispute Resolution, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd., a joint venture between Gazprom, Shell, Mitsui and Mitsubishi, Sakhain-2 oil & gas project operator

Bio

Roman Tofert holds an LL.B degree in Jurisprudence from the Sakhalin State University, a former successor of the Far East State University in Sakhalin. He has over 11 years PQE in civil, contract, commercial, litigation and shipping areas of law. Currently he manages a team of lawyers dealing with contractual and contentious matters for Sakhalin Energy Investment Company , which operates the world's largest integrated oil and gas project in the far East of Russia. With a view of widening his expertise in legal matters relating to international business transactions, Roman decided to continue his legal education at BU Law.

What interested me most about the Executive LL.M. Program

“The program is ideally tailored to those practitioners whose working and family commitments make it challenging to take a fully-fledged LL.M. I committed to both. The program gives me an opportunity to broaden my expertise and learn more of what I have been doing as a lawyer for years, to look at the aspects of law from another perspective, to equip myself with more practical tools to master my professional skills and gain new to become even more efficient and successful. One will hardly find the program that will be that flexible in giving a chance to take as many subjects as one is able to take without any harm to the quality and time by way of carousel format this program is based on. The quality of BU's teaching methods is known well beyond the boundaries of U.S. and makes it a big privilege to become a part of its alumni's club.”