BITS Law School, Mumbai, under the aegis of BITS Pilani, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the USC Gould School of Law, University of Southern California.
The initiative will pave the way for students to pursue Master of Laws (LLM) programs, while also exploring the development of innovative dual degree offerings such as a Bachelor of Laws–Juris Doctor (LLB–JD).
The collaboration will enable faculty and student exchanges, provide access to international curricula, and exposure to diverse legal systems and perspectives.
The partnership is also aimed at collaborative research, co-teaching initiatives, and a dynamic Summer School hosted at USC Gould in Los Angeles.
A fireside chat followed the MoU signing ceremony, featuring Prof Franita Tolson, Prof D Daniel Sokol, and Prof Ashish Bharadwaj.
The discussion covered emerging specialisations in legal education—such as artificial intelligence and antitrust law—the impact of technology on legal systems, and the evolving role of student communities. The speakers also explored how law schools must rethink pedagogy to prepare students for future roles in a fast-changing world.
Speaking on the partnership, Founding Dean, BITS Law School, Prof Ashish Bharadwaj said
“We are proud to partner with USC Gould School of Law. This collaboration is rooted in shared values and a mutual commitment to building future-ready legal education. With overlapping strengths in technology, media, and entertainment law, this partnership will equip students to navigate complex legal challenges in rapidly evolving sectors."
Speaking on the goals of the MoU, Dean USC Gould School of Law, Prof Franita Tolson said,
"We are excited to expand our global footprint through this institutional partnership with BITSLAW. Together, we aim to foster collaborative research, faculty exchanges, and dynamic pathways for students, including a specialised programme that will allow students completing their final year at BITS Law School to enrol in one of our on-campus LL.M. programmes.”
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