The Global Quarter
Franke Fellowship in Global Business Law
The W. A. Franke Fellowship in Global Business Law allows students to participate in The Global Quarter; a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience in international business, law, and policy—available exclusively at Stanford Law School.
This is a unique opportunity for anyone interested in global business, transactional or international work, or a general counsel position. Through a combination of conceptual training and real-world exposure, Franke Fellows gain the expertise needed to navigate an increasingly globalized legal and business landscape. Through participating in The Global Quarter, Franke Fellows will earn 8 units of experiential learning while fulfilling Stanford Law School’s Pathway B requirement.
The Global Quarter is an intensive, customized quarter focused on global business law and policy, with particular emphasis on the regulation, financing and dispute resolution of international business ventures. Students selected as Franke Fellows will spend the first 7 weeks of The Global Quarter on the Stanford Law School campus taking required courses. Subjects taught on campus vary each year, but typically include courses like Comparative Corporate Law and Governance; a Global Business Law & Policy Seminar, and International Business Transactions.
Note: Students must have taken Corporations beforehand.
The last 3 weeks of The Global Quarter are spent on a Field Study Trip. Thanks to the generosity of W. A. Franke (’61), travel, lodging, and most weekday meals are covered. Past locations have included Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Tokyo), Latin America (Mexico City, Bogotá, São Paulo and Rio), and Europe (London, Oxford, Berlin, Geneva and Frankfurt).
2027
The Global Quarter will take place during the 2027 Winter Quarter. The destination is Asia—Singapore, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
An info session was held on April 23rd. The recording is available here.
Application due date: Friday, May 22nd, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
*Please note that the itinerary is subject to change.
Faculty
FAQs
During The Global Quarter, Franke Fellows are typically required to take the following courses:
- Global Corporate Governance (Milhaupt, 2 units)
- Global Business Law and Policy: LATAM (Schneider, 1 unit)
- Transnational Litigation and Arbitration (Zambrano, 2 units, mandatory)
You will likely pick one from the following offerings:
- International Trade Law (Sykes and Mavroidis, 2 units)
- Law, Geopolitics and De-Globalization (Madsen, 2 units)
Note: Courses are subject to change. Students must have taken Corporations beforehand and are advised to take Deals I and II.
Yes, students must take Corporations before beginning The Global Quarter.
Franke Fellows who take the core required courses will receive 12 units of credit for the quarter: 7 units for classes on the Stanford Law School campus and 5 units for the field study. If you have already taken one of the core courses, you may take Introduction to Finance instead.
We will select students who will benefit most from the experience, so we will consider applicants’ career and educational goals, as well as background. We are hoping for a mix of student interests and backgrounds.
Franke Fellows are responsible for their standard quarterly tuition, but Stanford Law School will cover travel, lodging, and most weekday meals.
21st century lawyers must be prepared for a transnational legal practice. This one-of–a-kind experience will give students the conceptual background, analytical tools and global exposure necessary to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. You’ll make contacts in different parts of the world and learn about dynamic regions in the world. It is terrific preparation for students interested in business law or an in-house position.
Yes, faculty will accompany students for portions of the trip.
The 2027 Global Quarter Field Study Trip is tentatively scheduled to end in mid-March.
Yes. You do not have to participate in The Global Quarter to take these courses. They will simply end early in the quarter.
Yes! Franke Fellows will receive 8 units of experiential learning and satisfy Stanford Law School’s Pathway B requirement.
Pathway B (and The Global Quarter) satisfies the experiential learning requirement for graduation.
Yes. Franke Fellows are encouraged to enroll in a clinic in a different quarter.
The application deadline is Friday, May 22nd, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
For more questions, please contact Alice Schneider, Program Director.