This year, Católica Global School of Law proudly marks the 20th anniversary of its LL.M. in International Business Law, a programme that has helped shape generations of internationally minded legal professionals and laid the foundations for what would later become the School itself.
Since its launch in 2006, the LL.M. has brought together students, faculty, practitioners, and alumni from around the world, creating a truly international learning community. Over the past two decades, the programme has continuously evolved to address the changing realities of international business and legal practice, while remaining firmly committed to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement.
Reflecting on the programme's beginnings and its remarkable journey, Professor Luís Barreto Xavier, the LL.M.'s first Academic Director and later the founding Dean of Católica Global School of Law, recalls:
"In 2006, Portuguese legal academia was largely inward-looking, with limited ties to legal practice and to the world's leading law schools. Católica's LL.M. in International Business Law became the springboard for an ambitious vision: to build a world-class centre for global legal education and research, renew legal scholarship, and attract international talent to Lisbon. As the LL.M.'s first Academic Director and, later, the founding Dean of Católica Global School of Law, I could not be prouder of what we have achieved together."
This anniversary is also an opportunity to celebrate all those who have contributed to the programme's success: the faculty and visiting professors who have enriched its academic experience, the staff who have supported its growth, the partners who have believed in its vision, and the many alumni and students who continue to strengthen its global network.
As we look to the future, Católica Global School of Law remains committed to preparing lawyers for the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interconnected world. Highlighting the programme's impact, Professor Miguel Poiares Maduro, Dean of Católica Global School of Law, highlights both its achievements and, above all, the success of its graduates:
“The IBL has been one of the most successful LLM Programmes at Católica Global School of Law. We are proud of what we have achieved but above all we are proud of the success of the many graduates from all continents and dozens of countries that IBL has trained.”
Twenty years on, the LL.M. in International Business Law stands as a testament to the vision, dedication, and collaboration of an entire community. While we celebrate this milestone, we also look forward with confidence to the next chapter in our history.
[The photograph accompanying this article captures the graduation ceremony of the programme's very first cohort.]
