Dear Friends of Bucerius Law School,  

An excellent legal education has at its core a top rate curriculum surrounded by intellectual extracurricular activities and additional research opportunities. Bucerius educators consist of our renowned faculty and also of our wider circle of friends made up of legal practitioners from top law firms, politicians, business people, economist, journalists and others. The last two months have seen a myriad of events featuring Bucerius’ friends: an address given by former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt at a symposium for Theo Summer, a lecture by German Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger on data protection in the age of the internet, and a talk by Roman Herzog, former German President at the honorary society in his name, Phi Delta Phi.  

The opportunity to hear these distinguished politicians and other friends of Bucerius lecture is complimented by the numerous student groups and activities: the theater group and their performance of “dreck.stuck”, the Studium Generale “Students’ Day” and the numerous student initiated events and activities that were generated by it; the rowing teams and Moot Court teams striking successes. There is no shortage of opportunities to engage in – inside and outside the classroom.   Perhaps this is why we have received a record 610 applications for 116 places in the incoming class of 2010. The three-day selection process was extremely arduous – for us and for the applicants. We look forward to welcoming this exceptional group of young people to Bucerius in September. -just as we have welcomed 39 participants from 22 different countries to the 2010 Bucerius Summer Program in International Business Law. And as we say good-bye to the 2009-10 MLB graduating class, we prepare to welcome the largest MLB class to date and another incoming group of international exchange students.  

As you can see, despite the heat this summer, the Bucerius campus never stops moving. This rapid pace will be taken up yet another notch in the coming months as we prepare for our ten-year anniversary celebration in September.  

Happy reading,  

Hariolf Wenzler

CEO

The Bucerius Auditorium was packed on May 27 when German Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger (FDP), spoke on the topic “Civil Law 2.0 – Liberal Data Protection and Internet Politics". In her lecture, Minister Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger explained the meaning of the legal basis of informational self-determination, stemming from the famous Federal Courts decision regarding the early 1980s census. To push this law through in this day and age you have to take the exceptional challenges related to the internet into consideration.  From a liberal perspective, self-regulation and clarification are above all the right means. Only as a last resort should legislators intervene, the Minister said.  

Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger sees the vehement protests against the government collection of personal data, Google Streetview and social networks as an awakened consciousness among the public that should result in the establishment of a Data Protection Agency. This agency would be responsible for German data protection at an European and international level as well. The lecture was followed by an intense and very constructive discussion moderated by Kenny Koa.  

Teeth were chattering on campus – although the thermometer read over 80 degrees Fahrenheit: on July 8-10, the final selection process took place for the incoming class of 2010. 610 applicants competed for 116 places – a record number of applicants.   The first, written part of the process was held in the Hamburg Congress Center. This was followed by a 45 minute essay and speaking competency as the most important tool of the trade. This was followed by a three-hour multiple choice test. Students were then allowed to come up for air. That evening, the top 216 candidates were invited to take part in an oral interview held over the following two days. Applicants needed to show their communication and social skills, engagement and initiative. Offers were then sent out in mid-July with responses due in mid-August. Bucerius professors and staff anxiously await the entering class of the 10th anniversary year.   Scholarships will be given this year for the first time. Scholarships may be awarded to students who prove financial need and will be applied to application and travel costs as well as the cost of the English certificate. Dr. Hariolf Wenzler thanks all of those who assisted with the selection process including members of law firms, businesses, public institutions and the judiciary. 

In a speech entitled, "Agenda 2020: Germany Anew" former German President Roman Herzog addressed students at Bucerius on June 16. The renowned state attorney and politician, who is also the namesake of the Phi Delta Phi Inn, discussed the development that will take place in Germany over the next decade and in doing so brought up a wide variety of societal questions.  

The former German head of state discussed the importance of building vital economic sectors like energy and food security. In addition, he said, there must be an opportunity for demographic development and with it the nation’s educational system needs to be reworked for the future. Organizational questions especially need to be addressed, Herzog said, because, "a bureaucratic Europe is a weak Europe.”

On June 2, the first public hearing of the “Putz” case went before the Federal Supreme Court. The case received intense media attention due to the precedent it would set with regards to not allowing anyone to assist any terminally ill patient with the taking of their own life. Professor Dr. Frank Saliger, Chair for Criminal Law and 19 students who are concentrating in the Basis of Laws and Economic Law attended the hearing in Karlsruhe. On the eve of the hearing, students had the opportunity to hear from Judge Dr. Zimmermann himself and to discuss the case and ask questions. The case deliberation continued and a final decision will come at a later date.  

In July, Professor Dr. Doris König, Chair for Public Law, began the research project, "Piracy and Maritime Terrorism as Challenges for Security of Sea Commerce: Indicators, Perceptions and Commercial Options (PiraT)".  The overall concept is to do political and economic risk analysis and offer technological security reasons with legal and economic recommendations. The goal is to develop commercial options for states to build civilian strength for sea commerce security. To this extent, Bucerius law School is part of a group examining the deficits and the corresponding legal options.

The Institute for Free Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) is heading up the project with partners German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) and the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH), the Institute for Strategic Future Analysis (ISZA) at Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Foundation . More information about the project is available at www.maritimesicherheit.eu.  

Steamy New York City was the location for this year’s Agora at New York University School of Law. Doctoral candidates and academics from all over the world met in Greenwich Village during the last two weeks of June to exchange ideas about their work, to meet distinguished NYU faculty and to be inspired by the Big Apple. Financed by a scholarship from Bucerius Law School, three Bucerius PhD candidates, Alexander Wulf, Fabian Walla and Philip von der Meden were able to take part. During morning workshops, participants presented their work to an international audience; lunchtime lectures focused on social research and current projects; and afternoons offered mini-courses on topics of particular interest.  

On May 5, 2010, American Friends of Bucerius, with the German Center for Research and Innovation and RWTH Aachen University, hosted an event at the UN German House in New York. Dana Beldiman, AFB board member, visiting professor at Bucerius Law School and partner with Carroll, Burdick & McDonough LLP in San Francisco, moderated a panel on the long-standing, highly controversial debate on the patent systems in the United States and Europe.  

The discussion addressed a variety of relevant issues, including the philosophical questions associated with the patenting of genes; the relationship between exclusive intellectual property rights and technical progress; and the conflict between research collaboration and limited dissemination of knowledge. German Consul General Dr. Horst Freitag welcomed guests and three knowledgeable speakers on patent issues: Peter J. Esser, a registered patent practitioner and General Counsel in the office of the Representative of German Industry & Trade in Washington, DC; Myles W. Jackson , the Dibner Family Professor of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, who is currently working on issues of genetic privacy and the effects of intellectual property law and the patenting of human genes on research in molecular biology; and Regina Oertel, Director of Technology Transfer and Research Funding at RWTHA Aachen University in Germany.  

Although the event did not offer a solution to the discussion’s question, all panelists agreed that the current system, both in the U.S. and Europe, is functioning well but has room for improvement and unification in which developed and newly developed countries will play a significant role.

On June 17, the Bucerius Law School rowing team competed in the second FBD Rowing Challenge, an event put on by the German Sailor’s Mission of Hamburg. The competition was all too familiar: the Sozietät Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. For a while it was neck and neck, with both teams alternately taking the lead. But in the end, the Bucerius team came in fast right behind Freshfields. Despite the lackluster finish, both teams celebrated at the Rowing Club Allemannia after the race. Bratwurst and beer buoyed the team’s spirits as Dr. Klaus-Stefan Hohenstatt, Freshfields Partner and founder of the Rowing Challenge bestowed the trophy upon the winning team.   

"Understanding Wagner by Listening", was the objective of Florian Henn and Maximilian Hocke (both from the entering class of 2008), in the framework of the June 23 “Students' Day” program of Studium Generale. The two students not only had the same idea for an “Introduction to the Work of Richard Wagner”, they joined forces to put the event together. As “guest professors”, they gave an entertaining overview of the life and work of the composer in the framework of musical history. As a musical specialty, Henn and Hocke introduced the idea of the “eternal melody” and the Wagner light motive technique was illustrated with actual examples. The audience was enthusiastic and took away a new understanding and appreciation for the artist’s work in context.

Getting into gastronomy is much more difficult than you might think it is. At least, that is what a few Bucerius students learned in the framework of a Studium Generale study project. Project participants work in a number of teams to develop an entrepreneurial concept. Students were tutored by Hamburg businessman Martin Preuninger and professional chef Alexander Tschebull of Allegria restaurant. After initial brainstorming sessions and research, teams put together final concepts complete with menus, floor plans and budgets. The students quickly learned that unexpected obstacles should be expected when starting up such an enterprise – dealing with suppliers, realtors and financers was tough. But the project, which centered about the German specialty Maultaschen, was still pressing forward successfully. 

Students' Day 2010 also featured a discussion on border issues and human rights, organized by the Amnesty International group at Bucerius. Professor Dr. Doris König moderated the event. Jelena Marie Hawellek (Amnesty International HSG) welcomed the audience and Fanny Dethloff, human rights and refugee commissioner for the north Elbe church, who spoke about her experience in refugee camps on the island of Malta. Dr. Michael Maier-Borst from the legal department of the National Department of Integration continued with an explanation of the legal status quo in asylum cases.

The unbroken reality of the theme in the third year of the world financial crisis was the topic of another Students’ Day event sponsored by political groups on campus. Following a welcome address by CEO Dr. Hariolf Wenzler, moderated Philip Faigle from ZEIT ONLINE initiated the discussion. The interesting debate started off with a disagreement over the details. FDP finance expert Dr. Hermann Otto Solms argued with Dr. Hans Reckers, former member of the board of the Bundesbank over what set the crisis into motion. Former Finance Minister Hans Eichel and Professor Dr. Herbert Schui also weighed in. Guests were invited to a cocktail party following the even during which the heated debated continued for some, while others turned their attention to the Germany-Ghana World Cup soccer game being broadcast live in the foyer.

On the Kite Boat across the Alster! It was a gorgeous summer day as the Joachim Herz Stiftung staff along with 14 scholarship recipients and Professor Clifford Larsen, Dean of the Bucerius/WHU Master of Law and Business – Joachim Herz Program, cruised the Alster lake with sweeping views of the city. Once the boats returned to the shores, the group headed to Restaurant Kajüte for dinner. Petra Herz, Chair of the Board of teh Joachim Herz Stiftung wished the scholarship recipients well in the final phase of the program and the party continued late into the at Terrace Hill beach. 

Unlike the previous Live-In Week in fall of last year, the majority of the Bucerius/WHU Master of Law and Business students had fewer classes and therefore more time to enjoy the beautiful weather and planned activities in Vallendar. The week began with dinner in Gretchen’s (beer)garten on the river Rhein. Dr. Rob Britton, former Marketing Director for American Airlines, spoke during the dinner about airline alliances. At the end of the evening, students had a chance to meet the new MBAs from WHU and take in a WHU alumni association presentation. Overall, the week allowed students time to enjoy the sites and each other – something they don’t have as much time for with their intensive academic schedule in Hamburg.  

On Saturday, June 12, the MLB und LL.B. students from Bucerius Law School, together with MBA students from the WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management, experienced what it means to be blind. During a 90 minute tour through “Dialogue in the Dark,” all students had to rely on their hearing and tactile senses. The students were split into small groups of 8-10 members and were explained some rules: “One must not have any light sources, should not open doors without permission and should listen to the guide at all times.” Every participant received a white cane and the tour started. In the first room a blind tour guide welcomed the group. The room was absolutely dark and totally empty. It was hard to determine the dimensions of the room and orientation was impossible at first. One quickly adjusted to using the white cane and following the guide’s voice.

In the second room a strong smell of spices and typical noises of a Harbor created a feeling of standing in the middle of a warehouse. Not being able to see anything in the room, the sensitivity of the other senses increased. The spices smelled stronger, the surface structures of materials felt clearer and noises sounded much louder than usual. In the forth room everyone was seated on a small boat and enjoyed a ride through the harbor. The final room of the tour was a bar, where students had the chance to buy snacks or drinks and ask the tour guide further questions. The tour helped the students get a better understanding how the world might feel like for blind people and how they would get along on a daily life basis.

On May 25 Dr. Christof Fritzen, Knight of Malta and Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, was guest lecturer in the Studium Generale of the MLB Program. Dr. Fritzen is former Managing Director of Deutsche Bank and visiting lecturer to the MLB Program, teaching International Banking Transactions. After introducing the MLBs to the history and tasks of the Order of Malta, supported with personal views and experiences, Mr. Fritzen explained his responsibilities as an Ambassador of the Order. He briefly made the students familiar with the social and economic environment of Bosnia and Herzegowina and presented several projects he engaged in to improve the situation. He stressed that even little help can have great impact on improvement and encouraged the students to bear this in mind for their personal future. One very emotional story was the suffering of little Ivan. 

He was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and without expert help he would only have few more months to live. However, his family did not have sufficient financial funds to cover the expenses for the operation, travel and living expenses for the only clinic in the U.S. that could do the surgery. With the help of his personal network within the Order the Mr. Fritzen was able to make the operation possible and to save Ivan’s life. After his insightful two-hour presentation Dr. Fritzen invited the students to ask their open Questions about the Order and his role as an Ambassador.

The Bucerius Moot Court made it to the final round of the third tax law Moot Court of the Federal Finance Court. Sebastian Fornefeld, Jonas Heckmann, Clara Lienicke and Peter Stark (all from the entering class of 2006) impressed the jury with their presentation. In addition to the Bucerius team, ten other teams from the universities of Heidelberg, Kiel and Mainz also qualified. The team heads to Munich on September 23-24 to present their oral arguments in two tax law cases. The fictional court cases are brought before a jury that includes the president of the Federal Finance Court as well as representatives from economic, legal and financial sectors.  The team thanks Professor Dr. Birgit Weitemeyer, Buerius Chair for Tax Law. 

Manchester in the early 1990s: Far from the jubilation over the victory of democratic movements in Germany, South Africa, the impressionable Samantha Lane (Theresa Bachmann) and her little brother Tommy (Anna Michaut) are depressed in the industrial English city of Manchester. Abandoned by their mother and fearful of their alcoholic father, the pair is somewhat cursed from the get go. The theater piece “Dreck.Stück” follows a decade in the lives of the Lane siblings and their clique.   Students, parents and friends filled the Bucerius Moot Court on June 7th for the premier. From hopelessness and abuse to aspiration and friendship – different sides of the teenager years were played out in a way similar to the American musical „Grease“. The script was written by Simon Stehpens, Xavier Durringer, Darja Stocke and Laura de Weck and directed by Liz Rechand her assistant, Meike Klapprodt.

Alumni from the Bucerius International Exchange Program and the Bucerius Summer School who wish to apply for the one-year, interdisciplinary Bucerius/WHU Master of Law and Business - Joachim Herz (“MLB”) Program enjoy special conditions: a reduction of the tuition fee on € 19,000 instead of € 22,000. Additionally, students can apply for scholarships to cover the tuition fee. Please find further information on early admission conditions on the website www.bucerius.whu.edu or contact kathrin.petrick@law-school.de.

Editorial
Bucerius Law School
Hochschule für Rechtswissenschaft
Law School Management
Professor Dr. Dres. h.c. Karsten Schmidt (President)
Professor Dr. Michael Fehling, LL.M. (Vice President)
Dr. Hariolf Wenzler (CEO)
Jungiusstraße 6
20355 Hamburg

Translation: Jiffer Bourguignon
Editing and Contact:
Kasia Kwietniewska, Director
Clifford Chance International Office
kasia.kwietniewska@law-school.de