Global commerce and trade fundamentally impact business lawyers and—through economic development—provide a vehicle to promote impact in Washington and the world.
The Global Business Law Institute builds on UW Law’s strengths in comparative law and international programs, its established global network and the active involvement of world leaders from the business community. The Institute compliments robust programs within the law school — including intellectual property, tax, sustainable international development and law and entrepreneurship — and across the University, thus providing a strong interdisciplinary foundation.
The Global Business Law Institute benefits from the UW School of Law’s longstanding global network of companies, firms and universities. Joint projects with various international universities contribute to scholarship and broaden the student experience.
The Institute positions UW Law at the center of teaching, research, scholarship, policy and practice relating to global business law.
With gratitude, the Institute would like to recognize the invaluable contribution of Jeffrey Wool, one of the founding directors of the Institute, on his stepping down from its Advisory Board. Professor Wool’s vision, energy, and passion were instrumental in the successful launch of the Institute. His commitment and vision made possible the Institute’s early — and ongoing — partnerships with the global business community, support for developing scholars and students, and thought-leadership in teaching and innovation in the areas of international commercial law and corporate compliance, among others.
Seattle’s vibrant business community — with world leaders in global manufacturing, IT, retail and electronic commerce — allows the Global Business Law Institute to draw on the region’s expertise. The industry advisory board is a key element of the Institute, and members of the board include senior legal executives from prominent companies and law firms.
On Nov. 7, 2025, the University of Washington will host the Third Annual Space Diplomacy Symposium – a one day forum uniting civil, commercial, and military voices in the race to shape humanity’s future in and through space. This gathering invites leaders, innovators, scholars and the public to engage with dialogues ranging from security and exploration to partnerships and power, portraying how diplomacy can guide collaboration – and competition – in space.
Please join us on the beautiful Seattle campus of the University of Washington for a day of reflection on diplomacy with some of the world’s premier experts and practitioners across the fields of space law and security, international affairs, and space medicine and bioethics.
To learn more about the event and register to attend please visit our website.
The Global Business Law Institute is pleased to share that the article “Exploring the Future of Global ESG – Disclosures and Reporting Requirements” was published in the Global Governance, Compliance & Integrity Yearbook 2025.
A summer visit to Singapore taught lessons in business law culture to the GBLI Fellows.
The 2023–24 GBLI Fellow shares how the fellowship impacted his personal growth and professional success.