Hospitality and Tourism Law Summer Program

Hospitality and Tourism Law Program

June 10-21, 2024
Apply now!

For many years, attorneys seeking careers in hotel law faced limited options of apprenticeship in a law firm or self-directed study. With Washington, D.C. as the corporate home to the titans of the hotel industry, the Hospitality and Tourism Law Program at American University Washington College of Law is recognized for its legal education in hotel law and a directed career path.

The two-week program, is designed to meet the busy schedules of law students interested in earning academic credit during the summer and practicing attorneys. The program is also ideal for attorneys seeking careers in hotel law with law firms and in-house counsel, as well as non-traditional careers that include hotel development and general manager operations.

Please contact Director Steven Shapiro at steven.shapiro@wcl.american.edu or 301-525-4569 with questions or comments.

COURSES

The following courses will take place June 10 to 21:

cOURSE TITLE	DATE/credits	TIME
LAW 950 Hotels & Resorts: Essential Topics in Hospitality Law	June 10-11 M&Tu Credits: 1	9:00 AM-5:00 PM
LAW 951 Hotels & Resorts: Management Agreements & Franchise Agreements	June 12-13 W&Th Credits: 1	9:00 AM-5:00 PM
LAW 953 Gaming: Casinos, Sports Betting & Advanced Topics	June 17-18 M&Tu Credits: 1	9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Law 954 Hotel & Resorts: Transactions and Contract Drafting	June 20-21 Th&F Credits: 1	9:00 AM-5:00 PM

CERTIFICATE

All participants will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Legal Studies in Hospitality Law and Practice upon completion of the program.

ELIGIBILITY

The Summer Program is open to:

Foreign Attorneys for a certificate.
U.S. Practitioners for a certificate and CLE credit.
WCL & Visiting J.D. and LL.M. candidates for academic credit. Each program is a two-credit ABA course. The Mediation Program is a one-credit ABA course.

Registration

U.S. LAW STUDENTS:

Visiting J.D. and LL.M Students interested in academic credit must complete the registration form available here.
WCL J.D. or LL.M. Students who would like to take summer courses for academic credit do not require a special application. Please enroll through Eagle Service.

Registration for academic credit opens April 12, 2024 Please see the Academic Calendar for more information. Please note that per ABA Standards, J.D. candidates may register for up to two credits per week.

U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL ATTORNEYS

U.S. and International Attorneys interested in specializing and earning a certificate or CLE will have the opportunity to join other public and private professionals from geographically and professionally diverse backgrounds in enriching exchanges and make lasting connections for the future. Please register using the links below:

Hotels & Resorts: Essential Topics in Hospitality Law (LAW 950)

Hotels & Resorts: Management Agreements & Franchise Law (LAW 951)

Gaming: Casinos, Sports Betting & Advanced Topics (LAW 953)

Hotels & Resorts: Transactions and Contract Drafting (LAW 954)

LAW STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Law Students from around the world will have the opportunity to experience American-style law school learning, including the opportunity to stay on campus and earn a Certificate of Completion.

Please register using the links below:

Hotels & Resorts: Essential Topics in Hospitality Law (LAW 950)

Hotels & Resorts: Management Agreements & Franchise Law (LAW 951)

Gaming: Casinos, Sports Betting & Advanced Topics (LAW 953)

Hotels & Resorts: Transactions and Contract Drafting (LAW 954)

Apply Now

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Bringing Practical & Academic Experience to the Classroom

Message from Director Steven Shapiro

Hotel law practice has been a leading indicator and global driver as the legal market emerges from the economic downturn. Traditional legal positions are available in law firms, hotel general counsel offices, and in-house attorneys for hotel developers. Non-traditional legal positions are available as hotel general managers, acquisitions officers, and in the hotel supply chain. The Hospitality and Tourism Law summer program mixes the pragmatic, while rooted in the academic, and we want you to leave with substantive knowledge of the industry, legal and economic risks to the various parties, introductions to industry leaders, and lasting camaraderie with your classmates.

My own career began in the practice of real estate development and corporate law, before making a fundamental career change to construction and engineering, where I use my legal training every day. I invite you also to explore a rewarding career path in the hospitality and tourism industries through your participation in our summer program and get an up-close introduction to our hotel community in D.C. You can reach me at steven.shapiro@wcl.american.edu.

Comprehensive Curriculum, Practical Skills, Professional Networking

Taught by leading practitioners and industry legal experts, the Hospitality and Tourism Law Summer Program provides intensive training for students and professionals interested in pursuing a career in the hotel industry. Executives and attorneys bring practical and academic experience to the classroom, where they'll share current industry practices, themes, and trends. Site visits in Washington, D.C. to corporate hotel headquarters and to convention center hotels bring participants outside of the classroom and into the real world.

Photo Credit

Photo credit: Washington College of Law, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

"As a new attorney looking to break into the hospitality law arena, participating in WCL’s Hospitality and Tourism Law Program was the best career decision I have ever made."

Diana Ovsepian, 2014 HTL program participant