Program Registration Information   

The Way of the Common Law

September 17 - 20, 2025;

University of Michigan

Join the Center for Common Law Studies on the campus of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) for a "deep-dive" foundational program in Anglo-American common law.  This unique program goes to the roots of the common law and explores its very essence -- historically, philosophically, and operationally -- thereby equipping participants to better understand and operate in the common-law context of Anglo-American societies and legal systems.

 

Topics Include: 

 

  • Anglo-American Common Law Foundations
  • American Common Law Practice
  • The Language and Logic of the Common Law
  • Common Law, Natural Law, and Socio-Cultural Tradition
  • Common Law and Constitutional Law
  • Common Law and Political Paradigms**
  • Penetrating American Case Law
  • Common Law and Economic Paradigms** (including Ford Motor Company case study)
  • Common Law and Technological Paradigms
  • Common Law and National Sovereignty

 

   ** The program will also include visits and additional presentations in nearby Detroit (including discussion of the "America First" movement which originated and was based in Detroit in the 1920s, 30s and 40s through the work of Fr. Charles Coughlin, Henry Ford, and Charles Lindbergh, and this in comparison with the "America First" movement of today under President Donald J. Trump).

Who should attend?

 

  • Persons from any country working in or having a professional interest in law, politics, culture or related fields such as history, religion or economics
  • Non-U.S. lawyers who either (a) specifically seek a very "rooted" foundation for further specialized practical studies in U.S. or British law, or (b) have an interest in comparative law
  • Other qualified persons depending on their circumstances and nexus to the subject matter

Program Format:

 

[Preliminary reading material will be emailed to participants weeks prior to the program.]

 

Wednesday, September 17:

  • Arrival & Check-in (late-afternoon and evening)
  • Welcome reception and introductory presentation (evening)

 

Thursday, September 18:

  • Classroom Seminar (9:00am-12:00; and 1:00pm-4:30)
  • Early evening cocktail and follow-up discussions
  • Optional dinner event

 

Friday, September 19:

  • Classroom Seminar (9:00am-12:00; and 1:00pm-4:00)
  • Transportation arranged to Detroit for academic presentations at venues of special relevance to program topics; followed by dinner event in Detroit.

 

Saturday, September 20:

  • Classroom Seminar continued (9:00am - 12:00)

  • Further presentations at Detroit venues of special relevance (transportation provided; afternoon).

  • Optional evening program for those staying until Sunday

 

[Additional reading materials will be given to participants near the end of the program on September 20. A Certificate will be provided to participants who complete all program requirements.  Also, a limited number of post-program short-term Research Fellowships may be available in Ann Arbor for the 7-10 days following the program.]

Program Cost:

 

$ 585  (excluding accommodations and meals)

 

Contact:

 

If interested in registering for this program, please email some information about yourself (including full name, telephone number, regular postal mailing address, educational degrees/background and professional/work background) to [email protected].

 

(For information regarding accommodations and other practical details, you may email [email protected].)

The origins of the Center for Common Law Studies go back over 25 years, throughout which CCLS has worked in cooperation with leading professors from top U.S. law schools (including Harvard, Columbia, Michigan, NYU, Penn and GW) as well as a globally-recognized Washington law institute to prepare and conduct specialized programs and seminars at the George Washington University Law School.  While those DC programs, attended by participants from over 70 countries, covered many different legal subjects, CCLS has now moved away from Washington and has refocused exclusively on the Common Law per se, taking the analysis to philosophical and historical depths not typically found at most American law schools. The Founder and former President of the globally-recognized law institute with which CCLS worked for decades in Washington, Edward M. Andries, is now the Head and Director of CCLS.  With separate advanced degrees in both law and philosophy, he has taught and published in several countries on three continents and formerly spent many years practicing law in the Washington office of a large international law firm.