Eric McElwain
Coordinator of International Programs and Lecturer in Law
B.A., J.D., University of Houston
LL.M., University of the Pacific, McGeorge
E-mail Professor McElwain
Tel: 916.739.7230
After obtaining his J.D., Professor McElwain spent more than 10 years as a corporate oil and gas attorney in Houston. He also worked for a time as a private practitioner in Texas, specializing in immigration law. Immediately before joining Pacific McGeorge, McElwain was an associate with the firm of Dobson & Sinisi in Milan, Italy, concentrating on international business transactions. As Coordinator of International Programs, he oversees the LL.M. in Transnational Business Practice and the Summer Program in Salzburg, Austria.
Course: Appellate and International Advocacy
Curriculum Vitae:
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Sacramento, California 1991 to Present
Lecturer in Law 1994 to present
Organize, create course materials and co-teach course in International Advocacy. Supervise eleven student teaching assistants and five teaching adjuncts who meet weekly with students in small group workshops. Created and taught course in Concepts of American Business Law. Serve as Faculty Advisor for the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Team and the Willem Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. Served as Regional Administrator for, organized and oversaw 2000 Pacific Region Jessup International Moot Court Competition held at McGeorge School of Law.
International Directory of International Programs 2003 to present
Direct and administer the school’s summer law program in Salzburg, Austria for over 100 students annually. Act as primary administrator for three international graduate law programs. Recruit and admit students, develop budgets, develop curriculum, and hire faculty for all international programs. Develop and administer student and faculty exchange programs with foreign law schools. Provide academic and career counseling to international students and to law students interested in pursuing careers in international law. Work on special international projects for the law school Dean and the Associate Dean for International Studies, including developing new international programs and drafting grant proposals. With funding from U.S. Embassy in Santiago, helped create training programs to teach trial advocacy skills to Chilean prosecutors and public defenders. Helped develop new summer abroad program for American and Chinese law students held in Suzhou, China. With Congressional funding, creating a consortium of law schools to host Russian law students for one year of study in the United States.
Career Advisor 1998 to 2002
Organized, oversaw and conducted special programs for students including: the annual public interest job fair bringing over twenty employers to campus to meet informally with students; the Alumni Mentor Program, pairing students with alumni who talk to them about the realities of law practice and help them beginning building professional contacts; the Mock Interview Program, allowing students to practice interviewing skills with volunteer alumni; the AA Day in the Life@ Speaker Series, bringing alumni in various practice areas to campus to talk with students about careers in their areas of specialty. Met with and advised students daily about career planning, networking, preparing resumes and cover letters and interviewing skills. Reviewed and commented on students= professional marketing materials. Drafted and prepared informational handouts for students and pertinent articles about career development for publication.
Associate Director of International Programs 1991 to 1998
Organized, oversaw and administered summer international legal study program in Salzburg, Austria for 100 students annually. Co-administered graduate law program for approximately 40 American and foreign law graduates annually leading to LL.M. in Transnational Business Practice degree. Placed LL.M. students in internships with law firms or public agencies in 30 countries. Organized and selected curriculum and instructors for both programs. Recruited students and intern hosts both domestically and internationally. Advised and counseled students on careers in international law.
Dobson & Sinisi
Milan, Italy 1990 to 1991
Associate Attorney
Negotiated and drafted international joint venture, licensing and acquisition agreements. Advised on tax and other aspects of international transactions. Helped structure a billion dollar joint venture in Italy for a large American telecommunications company.
Private Law Practice
Houston, Texas 1986 to 1989
Built a one-attorney office from start-up to $12,000 per month gross within six months.
Various Oil and Gas Exploration Companies
Houston, Texas 1975 to 1986
Landman and In-House Attorney
Negotiated and drafted oil and gas leases, joint venture agreements and exploration contracts. Obtained title clearances and unitized drilling tracts. Managed a six-person department with responsibility for all producing wells.
EDUCATION
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, California
Master of Laws in Transnational Business Practice (1990)
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Juris Doctor (1974)
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (1969)
PUBLICATIONS
International Advocacy, problem and course materials re-written annually and published by McGeorge School of Law for use in International Advocacy course, 2000 - 2003.
Career Strategies for International LL.M. Students, booklet published by National Assn. for Law Placement, Fall 2000 (Chair of Drafting Committee and Chief Author).
“Careers in International Law”, The Student Lawyer (January 1994).
Book Review of The Economic Transformation of Eastern Europe, Views from Within by Bernard S. Katz and Libby Rittenberg, The Transnational Lawyer, Fall 1993.
“Becoming International”, International Lawyers’ Newsletter (January/ February 1992).
“Franchising Agreements and Competition Rules in Italy”, Corporate Counsel’s International Newsletter (November 1, 1991)
PERSONAL
Member: State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, National Association of Foreign Student Advisors.
Fluent in Spanish and Italian.
Served on City of Placerville (CA) Planning Commission, 1999-2000.
