18th April 2025, Mumbai – BITS Law School, Mumbai, a new-age legal institution established under the aegis of BITS Pilani, an Institution of Eminence, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the USC Gould School of Law, University of Southern California. Founded over 125 years ago, USC Gould is California’s first law school and one of the most globally engaged and diverse in the United States. This strategic partnership aims to create transformative opportunities for students and faculty through a globally benchmarked academic framework. It includes pathways for BITS Law School students to pursue Master of Laws (LL.M.) programs at USC Gould, and the potential development of innovative dual degree offerings such as a Bachelor of Laws–Juris Doctor (LL.B.–J.D.).
The collaboration enables faculty and student exchanges, provides access to internationally benchmarked curricula, and offers exposure to diverse legal systems and perspectives. The partnership further envisions collaborative research, co-teaching initiatives, and a dynamic Summer School hosted at USC Gould in Los Angeles.
A thought-provoking fireside chat followed the MoU signing ceremony, featuring Professors Franita Tolson, D. Daniel Sokol, and Ashish Bharadwaj. The discussion spanned emerging specialisations in legal education—such as artificial intelligence and antitrust law—the impact of technology on legal systems, and the evolving role of student communities. The speakers also explored how law schools must rethink pedagogy to prepare students for future roles in a fast-changing world.
Speaking on the partnership, Prof. Ashish Bharadwaj, Founding Dean, BITS Law School, said: “We are proud to partner with USC Gould School of Law. This collaboration is rooted in shared values and a mutual commitment to building future-ready legal education. With overlapping strengths in technology, media, and entertainment law, this partnership will equip students to navigate complex legal challenges in rapidly evolving sectors”
Prof. Franita Tolson, Dean, USC Gould School of Law, added: “We are excited to expand our global footprint through this institutional partnership with BITSLAW. Together, we aim to foster collaborative research, faculty exchanges, and dynamic pathways for students including a specialised programme that will allow students completing their final year at BITS Law School to enrol in one of our on-campus LL.M. programmes.”
