Russian Delegation Visits the University of Oklahoma College of Law

NORMAN – The University of Oklahoma College of Law together with Judge Stephen Friot, United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, hosted six Russian lawyers who specialize in criminal law on Monday as part of the Open World Program.  A diverse group of faculty from the College of Law and the College of Arts and Sciences participated in the day long program.  This is an U.S. exchange program designed to establish professional relationships between up-and-coming leaders of post-Soviet countries and Americans dedicated to showcasing U.S. values and democratic institutions.  The theme of the program was jury trials.    

“OU Law is committed to expanding the global reach of its education,” said Brian McCall, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  “By hosting the Russian Delegation, we were able to bring another part of the international legal system to our students, faculty, and the wider university.  It was also an incredible opportunity for us to present an important aspect of our legal system to Russian legal professionals who are working to shape the nature of jury trials in the Russian system.”     

The Russian Delegation started their day with breakfast in the Sneed Lounge followed by a tour of the College of Law.  They participated in a Fireside Chat with Former Dean Andrew Coats regarding American Jury Trials.  Over lunch, the visiting attorneys gave a presentation on Russian Laws on Jury Trials to OU Law students and faculty.  A variety of other sessions focused on topics such as jury trial training in American legal education and the historical development of jury trials in the Western legal tradition.