It began with a simple idea: what if we ended the Temple LL.M. in Trial Advocacy program not in a classroom, but in the Eternal City? What if we could connect the dots between Ancient Roman law and modern American litigation? What if the conclusion to a year of study in evidence, advocacy, and professional identity was not an exam, but an immersive global experience?
In May 2025, that vision became a reality. For the first time ever, the LL.M. in Trial Advocacy program launched a Capstone trip to Temple’s Rome campus, welcoming eleven graduates from the Class of 2025 to four unforgettable days of legal education, professional connection, and cultural exploration.
The group included seven trial lawyers sponsored by Temple University Health System (TUHS), who handle medical malpractice litigation at some of Philadelphia’s most prominent firms: Cozen O’Connor, Blank Rome, Buchanan Ingersoll, and the Tucker Law Group. Through the generosity and vision of John C. Ryan—Executive Vice President, Chief Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for TUHS, and Chair of the Board of Visitors at Temple Rome—these students had the opportunity to connect their daily work in civil litigation to the centuries-old legal foundations that still shape our practice today.
The itinerary was nothing short of extraordinary. From a crash course in conversational Italian on Day One to rooftop aperitivos overlooking the Spanish Steps on Day Four, the Capstone trip was designed to challenge, delight, and inspire. Students explored the Roman Forum and Capitoline Museums, toured Italy’s Tax Court and the Supreme Court of Cassation, and met with practitioners at the flagship Rome office of Tonucci & Partners. A highlight of the week was the private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica—a moment of reverence and reflection that underscored the global scope of advocacy and justice.
Each day, students also had the chance to learn directly from leading legal professionals who generously joined us in Rome: Jim Smith (Vice Chair, Blank Rome), Paul Leary (Co-Vice Chair, Business Litigation, Cozen O’Connor), Matt Taylor (Chairman & CEO, Duane Morris LLP), and Hon. Annette M. Rizzo (Ret., JAMS). These leaders didn’t just give lectures—they shared stories, answered questions, mentored, and hosted the students at some of Rome’s most beloved osterias. Their presence reinforced the value of mentorship and the impact of showing up.
The week concluded with a presentation by Temple Law’s own Professor Ken Jacobsen on the organization and regulation of international sports. Immediately after, the group gathered on the rooftop terrace of the new Temple Rome campus—just steps from the Piazza di Spagna—for a celebratory apericena. There, each of the eleven LL.M. students was “crowned” with a laurel wreath, the ancient Roman symbol of triumph, honor, academic achievement, creativity, and success. This final evening brought together the themes of the week: law, learning, leadership, and legacy.
This Capstone experience was a collaborative effort between the LL.M. in Trial Advocacy Program, the Graduate & International Law Programs at Temple Law, and Temple University Health System. As Director of the LL.M. program, I had the privilege of working with Gianni Marangio (Manager of Student Activities, Orientation, and Social Media, Temple Rome) and Sabriya McWilliams (Assistant Director, Global Legal Studies, Temple Law School) planning the academic programming and many of the logistics that made this week possible. I’m deeply grateful to Temple Law Dean Rachel Rebouché, Temple Rome Dean and Vice Provost for Global Engagement Emilia Zankina, and Graduate and International Programs Assistant Dean John Smagula for their support of this inaugural LL.M. Capstone experience. However, the week would not have been possible without John Ryan’s vision and dynamic leadership—or his passion for Rome, for learning, and for the future of the legal profession.
More than anything, I’m proud of our students. They showed up curious, respectful, joyful, and ready to learn. They walked the ancient cobblestones of Rome with the hearts and minds of modern advocates. And they returned home not only as graduates, but as global lawyers, more prepared than ever to make a difference in courtrooms and communities alike.
We hope this is only the beginning. With continued support from Temple Law, TUHS, and our generous alumni partners, the Capstone in Rome can become a signature feature of the LL.M. in Trial Advocacy experience.
Because in law, as in Rome, all roads lead to learning.
