Landmark U.S. Rule of Law Program in China Marks Decade

Temple Law School Initiatives Advance Intercultural Understanding, Global
Justice

PHILADELPHIA--(Business Wire)--
This month, Temple University Beasley School of Law celebrates the 10th
anniversary of its groundbreaking Rule of Law Program in China, created with the
Chinese government`s endorsement to advance the development of the country`s
legal system and leadership in the international marketplace.

Since 1999, the Rule of Law Program - the only one of its kind - has educated
more than 900 legal professionals from both the public and private sectors in
U.S. law through several initiatives: a Beijing-based Master of Laws (LL.M.)
program in partnership with Tsinghua University School of Law, non-degree
educational programs for judges and prosecutors, AIDS and public health law
training and workshops, law drafting and implementation projects for Chinese
lawmakers, and more.

Temple`s rule of law initiatives are designed to expose Chinese legal
professionals to American principles of legal reasoning, equipping them with new
analytical and legal advocacy abilities. Participants report using U.S. law and
cases for reference in their daily decisions, and some of the graduates were
among the first in China to write opinions, thus establishing legal precedents.

"China`s emergence as a global economic and political power has brought
international attention to the country`s developing legal system," said JoAnne
A. Epps, dean of the law school. "Legal reform, from the creation of transparent
laws to their consistent application, has become a priority for the Chinese
government. Through our Rule of Law Program, Temple is proud to play a vital
role in educating the lawyers who may be called on to help shape the country`s
legal system."

The program also supports scholarly research by American and Chinese law
professors and curriculum planning for Chinese law schools in developing areas
of law. Academic conferences provide a forum for Chinese legislators,
regulators, scholars and judges to gain advice and support as they develop
China`s legal infrastructure and institutionalize the rule of law. Temple
professors were also invited to participate in drafting the country`s first
property and torts laws.

Temple`s Rule of Law Program receives support from public and private U.S.
donors, including ExxonMobil, Alcoa and DuPont, and the U.S. State Department`s
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

For more information about the Rule of Law Program, or to arrange interviews
with faculty, students or graduates, please contact Laura Feragen at
215-793-4666 or e-mail lferagen@startoplin.com.

for Temple University Beasley School of Law
Laura Feragen, 215-793-4666
lferagen@startoplin.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009