Each year approximately 1,800 delegates from 110 countries, representing top academic institutions, governments, global banks and large professional firms, are invited to converge for eight days on Jesus College campus to participate in Cambridge University's International Symposium on Economic Crime, which just completed its 35th year. Texas A&M University School of Law was one of the organizing institutions for this year's event, held September 3-10 with the theme "Preventing and Controlling Economic Crime in the Modern World – whose responsibility and are they really up to it?"
Four Aggie Law students had the unique opportunity to attend the Cambridge Symposium with Professor
William Byrnes, Texas A&M University School of Law Associate Dean for Special Projects. Byrnes moderated and chaired the "
Tax Compliance and Tax Privacy: A U.S. Perspective" panel at the symposium.
"The Cambridge Economic Crime Summit provided me with an unparalleled opportunity to network and engage in interactive discussions with thousands of delegates from all across the world," said
Madeline Pricer, Texas A&M Law third-year student.
Pricer continued, "Furthermore, the symposium allowed me to discover advanced techniques to combat white-collar crimes, terrorism financing and more — all of which I hope to implement into my legal career in government prosecution. I highly recommend any law students that are interested in economic crime at the state, federal or international level to contact Professor Byrnes about this sector of law."
Shelby Sterling, Aggie third-year law student, remarked, "The Cambridge Economic Crime Symposium has opened my eyes to new opportunities that I otherwise would not have been exposed to, including learning about issues in new areas of law from different global perspectives, networking with leading professionals, and leveraging my law degree to prevent terrorism financing and asset forfeiture."
"Our Aggie law students are able to undertake my
risk program, positioning them as the top candidates for careers in the prosecution of globally organized crimes, human trafficking, and terrorism networks," said Byrnes.
"It is a unique opportunity for the students to engage with the professional leaders and hiring agents of governments, large financial institutions and professional firms seeking to prevent money laundering," continued Byrnes.
"Over the weeklong symposium, I meaningfully interacted with over 1,700 professionals and forged lasting relationships with individuals from around the world," added Sterling. "I am ecstatically looking forward to returning to the symposium next year and potentially working overseas post-graduation. I strongly urge Aggie law students to reach out to Professor Byrnes to explore this legal arena."
Byrnes fosters other opportunities for Aggie law students to network and advance in international financial law and risk management.
Katherine Anne-Grawl Kim, Texas A&M '14, and third-year law student, is the managing editor of Byrnes'
Money Laundering, Asset Forfeiture & Recovery, and Compliance – A Global Guide, a primary legal analysis reference for professionals published by Lexis.
"Students like Kate are afforded an opportunity to highlight their analysis and writing ability through a practical training of editing and potentially authorship of new topic areas under my guidance," said Byrnes.
Texas A&M Law students attending the Cambridge Symposium include:
Graduate and international students are welcome to undertake the
risk-specific program curriculum as an LL.M. or an M.Jur. for nonlawyers.