MSL

Master of Studies in Law Alumnus Spotlight: Abdulrahman Al Jaabari

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 15:15:50 +0000

Master of Studies in Law Alumnus Spotlight: Abdulrahman Al Jaabari Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/20/2017 - 09:15

Abdulrahman Al Jaabari is proof that ethics and compliance careers are in demand across the globe. From Abu Dhabi to ��«��Ƶ, Al Jaabari took his decade-long business career to the next level with a Master of Studies in Law degree in Ethics and Compliance from the University of Colorado Law School.

Al Jaabari’s story is unique in that he came to the MSL program with nearly five years’ experience in the compliance industry and more than 10 in the business world. Then a senior assistant manager in compliance at Mubadala Development Company, a private equity company in Abu Dhabi, he wanted to expand his knowledge of ethics and compliance. His company sponsored his completion of the one-year MSL degree.

“A Master’s degree in Ethics and Compliance was a natural fit for me, and there aren’t many programs out there like the MSL degree at Colorado Law,” Al Jaabari said. “I like that it is not a generic MSL, but specific to exactly what I do—ethics and compliance.”

Taking classes alongside JD students also provided unique advantages, he said.

“Being in classes with JD students gave me a sense of being a law school student without the three-year commitment,” he said. “Half of the team I work with is comprised of lawyers, and so it was also extremely helpful to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the lawyers I work with.”

Following completion of the program, Al Jaabari returned to Abu Dhabi to continue work with Mubadala and grow in his role as a compliance professional. He is now the Compliance Counsel for the company.

“Earning a master’s degree was always on my radar, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do,” he said. “I considered an MBA, but that seemed too broad. When the MSL degree popped up on my radar, I was intrigued by the fact that it was just one year and thought that sounded feasible.”

Al Jaabari graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in political science. He went to work as an investment professional with First Gulf Bank. Later, he joined the aerospace division at Mubadala.

Five years into his role at Mubadala, he was asked to help implement regulatory measures in the company’s aerospace subsidiaries. He enjoyed the work, and increasingly became involved in internal investigations.

Al Jaabari said that the MSL degree helps him stand out in a growing field.

“The MSL degree reflects a level of expertise that provides a competitive advantage as the compliance field continues to grow. The degree adds to my professional credibility and instills deeper confidence in my expertise and capabilities.” Of his promotion to Compliance Counsel at Mubadala following his completion of the MSL degree, Al Jaabari says that “the MSL program gave me the opportunity to build on my knowledge and apply it in a different environment, which has helped me advance and evolve my skills and the application of them at work.”

Al Jaabari found tremendous camaraderie and support in both his classmates and the faculty at Colorado Law. He and his classmates in the MSL Class of 2017 were a supportive, tight-knit cohort, which Al Jaabari says served as an excellent support system. The guidance of the faculty was also immensely helpful, both in and out of the classroom. “The professors were integral in making it an excellent experience for all of us,” he said. “They regularly checked in to see how we were doing and to ask how they could help us and support us through any challenges.”

Questions for Abdul

What were your favorite classes in the MSL program?

The compliance capstone class, taught by Professor John Francis, gave us the opportunity to deliver on projects and present our work product to the class. For example, we developed a company code of conduct and presented it to a mock board of directors, which was the rest of the class. It was a simulation of what it’s like in the real world, and we all learned from each other as classmates.

The legal ethics class taught by Professor Melanie Kay allowed us to step back from what we do day-to-day as compliance professionals and focus on the larger moral obligation we face.

Additionally, Professor Amy Bauer’s Introduction to U.S. Law really prepared us for the classes we would be taking alongside JD students.

What do you enjoy about working in the ethics and compliance profession?

You are helping people to do the right thing.
It’s rewarding. You get the opportunity to fix a problem and steer them toward doing the right thing.
The profession makes the world a better and safer place, both directly and indirectly.

What would you tell a prospective MSL student?

If you want a way to get your foot in the door in one of the fastest-growing job markets in the world, join this program and get on board. Ethics and compliance is an area where you can help others, your company, and have exposure into many areas. The MSL degree is a fast track into a position in this industry.

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Master of Studies in Law Student Spotlight: Brianna Rice

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 19:17:35 +0000

Master of Studies in Law Student Spotlight: Brianna Rice Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/01/2017 - 12:17

When Brianna Rice pictured her postgraduate future two years ago, she had no doubt that law school would play a role. However, it wasn’t until she was accepted to the University of Colorado Law School’s Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program that she realized her law school journey might look slightly different than she originally imagined.

As a student in Colorado Law’s one-year MSL in Ethics and Compliance program, Rice takes classes designed specifically to introduce non-JD students to the American legal system and legal research, writing, and analysis. In addition, she takes required and elective classes that are part of the law school curriculum alongside JD students.

Working with readily accessible faculty and a small cohort of MSL classmates, Rice felt right at home at Colorado Law, where she could get a law school experience without the three-year commitment.

She will graduate in May prepared to enter the booming field of ethics and compliance. She even has a full-time job lined up at the international company ON Semiconductor. Working under the compliance officer and risk management officer, she will train the company’s compliance liaisons around the world about different risks that occur in their field. The rest of the year, she will work out of ON Semiconductor’s headquarters in Phoenix.

Rice didn’t always know she would end up here, though. As a criminal justice and criminology major at Metro State University, she had never heard of ethics and compliance as a potential career—let alone the fact that risk and compliance staff are some of the most sought-after professionals worldwide.

When she was wait-listed at her top law school, she began researching other options with the hope of preparing herself for a future JD. She came across Colorado Law’s MSL program, and with no LSAT or entrance exam required, Rice was able to apply immediately.

“I didn’t want to wait to continue my education. When I came across the MSL, I realized it would be a good foot in the door,” Rice said. “Once I started the program, I fell in love with ethics and compliance. I decided that I didn’t want to go to law school after all and that this was the field for me.”

“If you’re interested in law, or any type of career in the legal field, this program is the best way to get the experience,” she continued. “Not only are there plentiful job opportunities after you graduate, but you get the experience of being in law school. The MSL degree is a great way to further your education and learn so much about a field that is booming.”

Five Questions for Brianna

What has been your favorite class?

My favorite class was Legislation and Regulation with Professor Helen Norton alongside JD students. It’s really interesting to see how many different perspectives go into making the laws—whether it’s the court or the agencies. It’s going to be super useful in the future to know how laws are made, no matter what industry I’m working in.

How did Colorado Law help you in your job search?

My first semester as an MSL student, I was invited by Professor Amy Bauer to attend the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Consortium Summit in Salt Lake City part of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at Colorado Law. It was there that I met Sonny Cave (’85), executive vice president, general counsel, chief compliance & ethics officer, chief risk officer, and corporate secretary of ON Semiconductor. I spoke with him about externship opportunities, which ultimately led to the creation of a full-time position, which I was offered and accepted!

The professors were also an incredible resource. They have set up a bunch of interviews for my classmates to help them find externships. Professor Bauer and Professor John Francis met with me several times before the interview ON Semiconductor to help with my resume and interview prep. Each helped me enormously.

What do you like about the ethics and compliance field?

How much you can do within the ethics and compliance industry. From research to training—it’s such a diverse industry. It’s fun to see how all the parts tie together to create systems so that scandals don’t happen in companies.

It’s an easy field to be passionate about. At the Summit, I heard people in the field talk about how much they love what they do. It’s really comforting knowing that this is a job and industry you can feel good about.

What was the best experience of your time at Colorado Law?

Attending the Summit. It was eye-opening for me. That’s when it hit me how many different ways the skills I’m learning can go—there were people from every industry there. It made me realize that I can take this degree anywhere. From health care to finance to the semiconductor industry—every industry, companies big and small, need some type of compliance. I didn’t realize until the Summit how true that was.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would like to eventually run the compliance team of a company. This would involve having everyone trained, putting systems into place, and creating training manuals.

We are now accepting applications for the MSL in Ethics and Compliance program for fall 2017. Learn more and apply here.

An interview with Master of Studies in Law (MSL) graduate Brianna Rice.

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Ethics and Compliance Initiatives Move Forward

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:20:02 +0000

Ethics and Compliance Initiatives Move Forward Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/16/2015 - 10:20

The University of Colorado Law School underscored its commitment to being a national innovator in the field of ethics and compliance with the announcement that John Francis, a partner at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, will join Colorado Law as a Scholar in Residence, leading the newly established Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program in ethics and compliance. Colorado Law also announced today that Sonny Cave (’85), chief compliance and ethics officer at ON Semiconductor, has endowed a fund at Colorado Law to support ethics and compliance programming.

"With John Francis and Sonny Cave's leadership, Colorado Law is building on an already powerful foundation of ethics and compliance programming," said Dean Phil Weiser. "In John Francis, we are bringing a seasoned professional who has long supported Colorado Law as an adjunct professor, member of our health care law program advisory committee, and mentor to drive our efforts in ethics and compliance and support our MSL students. With Sonny Cave, we have an alumnus who is leading by example, demonstrating his engagement in and commitment to supporting Colorado Law's excellence in this field."

Last month, Colorado Law announced the addition of a new MSL track in ethics and compliance that will provide both established professionals and newcomers to the field an opportunity to elevate their careers as ethics and compliance officers.

Francis will also teach in and help expand the school’s health law program. After joining Colorado Law, he plans to remain connected through his firm to the private corporate compliance community.

Francis brings 25 years of antitrust and health care litigation and compliance experience to Colorado Law. He has worked with leading companies across Colorado, including hospitals and health care systems, telecommunications and technology companies, and trade associations on corporate compliance initiatives.

“I am excited to join Colorado Law, an innovative leader in legal education, ethics and compliance, health care, and other fields,” Francis said. “Over the years, my firm and I have had long and deep connections to this terrific law school, and I look forward to helping build on CU’s tradition of excellence and leadership in new and emerging areas of study and professional development.”

Cave’s endowment will support programs, scholarships, and faculty to enhance learning and instruction in ethics and compliance.

Cave is executive vice president, general counsel, chief compliance & ethics officer, chief risk officer, and corporate secretary of ON Semiconductor. As the company’s founding general counsel, he manages all legal affairs, which includes compliance counseling and intellectual property development.

“Having a superior ethics and compliance program is not only fundamental to running a successful business, but is also a key competitive advantage in our unprecedented era of global commerce,” Cave said. “My goal in establishing this endowment fund is to provide students and faculty with resources and tools that will give them a substantial head start in understanding this critical area, thereby becoming our future leaders, driving even greater change in the ways we do business around the world.”

Colorado Law’s commitment to ethics and compliance programming rests on the innovative Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative, of which Colorado Law was selected as the first and only law school participant in 2014.

Pictured: John Francis (top), Sonny Cave (left)

John Francis will join Colorado Law as a Scholar in Residence, leading the newly established Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program in ethics and compliance. Sonny Cave (’85) has endowed a fund at Colorado Law to support ethics and compliance programming.

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Colorado Law Expands Master of Studies in Law Degree with New Compliance Track

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 17:30:53 +0000

Colorado Law Expands Master of Studies in Law Degree with New Compliance Track Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/02/2015 - 10:30

The University of Colorado Law School will build on its newly established, one-year, 28-credit Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree by offering a specialty track in ethics and compliance starting in August 2016. The MSL program, which launched in August 2015, enables students who hold at least an undergraduate degree to obtain legal training short of a full Juris Doctor.

"Ethics and compliance is one of the fastest-growing employment fields in the U.S. economy,” said Dean Phil Weiser. "As large corporations and nonprofit organizations become subject to more regulations, and we hear of more scandals of large firms allegedly breaking significant laws, more companies have created compliance and ethics units to ensure that they develop and preserve ethical cultures and avoid the adverse consequences that come from misdeeds.”

The new degree track will train students to become ethics and compliance professionals, also called compliance and ethics officers, who commonly work within large for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, as well as for federal and state regulators as examiners. Courses include an overview of the American legal system, legal research, writing, and analysis, and multiple substantive courses in specialized concentrations, such as privacy/cybersecurity, financial services, and healthcare.

Colorado Law created the MSL program to prepare students and professionals interested in legal-related fields but not becoming practicing lawyers. The school currently offers a specialty degree track in Patent Law, which trains prospective patent agents. Colorado Law may offer additional degree tracks in other areas in future years.

“Ethics and compliance is an emerging profession and our MSL graduates will help shape it,” said Erik Gerding, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law. “To do so, we will help equip students with the necessary intellectual tools. At Colorado Law, MSL students will not only develop substantive knowledge, but also the problem solving skills and values necessary to drive change within organizations.”

“As an ethics and compliance professional, I applaud Colorado Law for creating a program that will provide students with the tools necessary to make an immediate impact on ethics and compliance programs for a number of companies,” said Bill Brierly, chief ethics and compliance officer at CH2M, a Colorado-based, global engineering and project delivery firm. “Career opportunities in ethics and compliance are growing at a fast pace, and companies like CH2M will definitely view MSL graduates as highly qualified candidates to fill open positions.”

For more information, please contact Alan Schieve, assistant director of admissions, at 303-492-2552 or alan.schieve@colorado.edu. Additional information is also available at www.colorado.edu/law/msl.

Colorado Law will build on its one-year, 28-credit Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree by offering a specialty track in ethics and compliance.

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