Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - International Dispute Resolution

Class of 2023/2024

Leanne Torrato

 

1. Why have you decided to pursue a Master of Laws degree abroad?

I decided to pursue an LL.M. abroad to broaden and elevate my legal expertise. I practiced law for seven years in the Philippines, where I explored various areas of law and worked in different roles, including as a law firm associate and in-house counsel. Over time, the cases I handled started to feel repetitive, and I sought a new challenge in an emerging field in my country-- arbitration. The LL.M. offered me the opportunity to gain fresh knowledge, skills, and global perspectives, which I could bring back to enrich the legal practice in the Philippines.

 

2. How was the application process? Was it demanding?

The application process was straightforward, though time-consuming, especially when drafting my motivation letter. I spent considerable time refining it to leave a strong impression on the admissions committee. The other requirements, such as my CV, transcript of records, and recommendation letters, were expected for LL.M. applications. The process of submitting the application documents was seamless as it was done entirely online.

 

3. What was the decisive reason for you to apply for the IDR LL.M. at Humboldt University of Berlin?

I learned about the IDR LL.M. at Humboldt through a friend who completed the program a few years ago. The curriculum, which balances theoretical and practical components taught by experts in international arbitration and dispute resolution, caught my attention. Additionally, friends who lived in Germany spoke highly of Humboldt University. A significant factor was also the affordability—since I funded my studies through personal savings, Berlin's tuition and living expenses were more attractive compared to other European countries or the U.S.

 

4. Reflecting on your experience, how would you describe the diversity of perspectives and backgrounds among fellow students?

The 2023–2024 IDR LL.M. cohort was incredibly diverse, with students from all over the world. This diversity enriched classroom discussion as we learned about each other’s legal systems and gained new insights by exploring how our cultures influenced legal practices in our respective jurisdictions.

 

5. How did you enjoy living and studying in Berlin?

To be honest, I loved Berlin during the summer, but the winter was tough for someone like me, coming from a tropical country. The darkness and cold were challenging, but I found comfort in the Staatsbibliothek, my favorite hideaway in Berlin. I also have fond memories of visiting winter markets with friends, enjoying Glühwein, and soaking in the festive atmosphere.

 

6. Which modules did you like the most and why?

My favorite modules were International Arbitration, taught by Professor Dr. Gerhard Wagner, and International Investment Law and Arbitration, taught by Dr. Tillman Braun and Laura Halonen. International Arbitration reminded me of my early years as a litigator, strategizing based on procedural rules. Meanwhile, International Investment Law was closely aligned with my background in public international law, offering a perfect blend of my passions and my professional practice.

 

7. Balancing the various components of the LL.M. curriculum can be demanding. Could you share your time management technique or approach that helped you excel academically and make the most of your experience?

I made it a point to read all assigned materials before class and compiled a list of questions from the readings. Often, the lectures answered my questions, but if not, I would ask them afterward. Self-study was crucial to succeed in this LL.M. program, and staying ahead of the readings allowed me to engage more effectively in discussions.

 

8. Can you share a particular group activity, workshop, project, or research topic that you found especially engaging, and how it contributed to your professional growth?

The cross-examination workshop with Dr. Markus Burianski at White & Case in Berlin stood out. As a litigator, I was used to a more aggressive style of cross-examination in my jurisdiction, but this workshop demonstrated how it’s approached in arbitration—focusing on cultural differences and techniques. This practical experience, where we performed cross-examinations, will be invaluable as I handle arbitration cases in the future.

 

9. What are some of the highlights of the IDR LL.M. adventure in Berlin?

One of the highlights was our Diwali celebration, hosted by our three Indian classmates. It was our first official batch event, and it brought together students from various countries, cultures, and religions. The night was filled with amazing food, music, and stories, making it a memorable celebration of diversity and friendship.

 

10. How did you manage to do an internship while working on your thesis and preparing for exams?

I created a strict schedule for myself and disciplined myself to stick to it, even on days when motivation was low. There’s no easy way around it—discipline is key. Another important factor was having a strong support system in my batch; we leaned on each other during challenging times.

 

11. What are your plans after graduation and going into 2025?

I’ve returned to the Philippines and rejoined my previous firm. I’m aiming to finalize my certification as an Alternative Dispute Resolution practitioner before the end of the year and plan to be more active in the arbitration community. I’m also involved in the Moot Alumni Association as a regional representative and will participate in activities promoting the Vis Moot.

 

12. Would you recommend the IDR LL.M. to other young lawyers? Why?

Absolutely. Attending the IDR LL.M. in Berlin was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It fostered both academic and personal growth. Berlin is an incredible place to explore cultures freely, and the program itself adds immense value to one’s practice. I’d recommend it to both young and seasoned lawyers, as it provides a fresh perspective and opens doors to a global legal environment.

 

Ilgaz Duman

 

1. What was the decisive reason for you to apply for the IDR LL.M. at Humboldt University of Berlin?
I had the opportunity to observe how disputes are resolved in my home country, Turkey, but I also wanted to observe the differences in approaches of other nations and see whether these could be adapted to Turkey. Following that, I began researching universities in Europe that offer education on international dispute resolution. My main goal was to observe as many different cultures, legal systems, and approaches as possible through a single LL.M. The IDR LL.M at Humboldt University was the most suitable option for me because it offers a program that is not limited to approaches and innovations in Germany.
 

2. Reflecting on your experience, how would you describe the diversity of perspectives and the backgrounds among the follow students?
There was a great diversity among my classmates in terms of the sectors they specialized in! I believe this was because we all came from different countries. Everyone had knowledge of the legal rules in the areas that most supported their country's economy, such as Construction Law, Immigration Law, Maritime Law, and so on. Additionally, there were significant differences in terms of jurisdictions. Having classmates from both Civil Law and Common Law jurisdictions was very beneficial for examining, understanding, and discussing the procedural rules of countries we were less familiar with. Thanks to my classmates from Common Law jurisdictions, I feel I’ve gained more knowledge in this area, and since arbitration practice has largely developed under the influence of Common Law, I believe this will greatly benefit me in my future career.


3. Which modules did you like the most and why?
I absolutely loved all of them, but I believe that the most significant difference relevant to us once we enter the industry will be created by the 'Special Areas of Arbitration' module. Through this module, we had the chance to learn more about emerging areas in arbitration that are still developing and open to the workforce. This was quite beneficial for us to better understand how arbitration is being utilized in different sectors and what new lawyers are needed in these areas.
 
 
4. Balancing the various component of the LL.M. curriculum can be demanding. Could you share your time management technical or approach that helped you excel academically and make the most of your experience?
There is only one way to handle this: reviewing what was learned each week! Since this is a very intense master’s program, each week's material builds on the previous one, so studying regularly is extremely important. The best advice I can give on this is: the professors upload the readings before the class. Doing these readings before that week’s class makes it much easier to grasp what is being taught and allows you to use your study time more effectively. Additionally, completing the pre-class readings boosts your confidence in participating in class discussions, and since these discussions clarify the most important topics, they significantly accelerate learning. So, my advice is: do a weekly review and complete the pre-class readings.


5. Can you share a particular group activity, workshop, project or research topic that you found especially engaging during your time in the program, and how it contributed to your professional growth?
For our Private International Law module, we often had to resolve a hypothetical case before class, prepare a solution, and discuss it during the lesson. It is essential to accurately identify the legal issue and the legal relationship between the parties, to reach a solution. Therefore, to prepare more accurate answers, we started working in groups to draft these solutions. Before class, we were sitting together as lawyers from different jurisdictions, explaining our legal opinions, and discussing the case. After doing this a few times, I began to observe that our perspectives and knowledge about legal practices in different countries were enriched. Additionally, this made it easier for us to understand other professionals when we aspire to work in a more international environment in the future.


6. What are some of the highlights of the IDR LL.M. adventure in Berlin?
Our class was definitely very close-knit, and the friendships were incredibly strong! Despite being from different languages, religions, and nationalities, we experienced each other's different traditions and supported one another on our special days! Some of the best highlights for me were celebrating Diwali with our Indian friends, teaching our classmates traditional Turkish dances with my Turkish friends, and exploring Christmas markets together during Christmas—along with countless other activities we shared together.
 

7. How did you manage to do internship and continue with the Master Thesis and exam preparation?
Firstly, in my experience, all three aspects complemented each other. I had the chance to get feedback on my thesis topic from arbitration lawyers at the law firm I was working with, and I was also able to integrate something I learned in my ongoing courses into my internship. Additionally, in terms of time management, I made an effort not to leave any deadlines to the last minute. Before writing my master’s thesis, I started researching and reading about the topic months in advance, so during the thesis writing process, I had time to focus not only on the thesis but also on other things.
 
 
8. What are your plans for after the graduation and going into 2025?
Of course, my biggest goal is to get a job where I can gain as much experience as possible in adjudication, mediation, and arbitration! For this reason, I am currently learning German. I want to become a lawyer who can work on both English and German cases. Once I achieve this, I aim to find a job that suits me, in compliance with my IDR LL.M. and diverse work experience across various sectors. In addition, I definitely plan to have my thesis published by 2025! :)
 
 
9. Would you recommend the IDR LL.M. to other young lawyers? Why?
Yes, I recommend it, but I believe it would be a better decision to join this program after gaining some more experience rather than at the very start of your career. I was one of the youngest lawyer students in the class. So, I should give a bit of a warning: since my practical experience in arbitration was more limited compared to my classmates’ professional backgrounds, I initially felt unfamiliar with some concepts at the beginning of the program. This is a challenge that can be overcome by attending classes regularly and working a bit harder, but from my observations, those with some practical experience seemed to navigate the first few weeks more easily!