About Me
Name
Benjamin Moret
Prior Education
Université de Lausanne (baccalauréat universitaire en droit, 2016); Université de Fribourg (master of law, 2018).
Before Ann Arbor
I lived in the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland.
Before My LLM Year
I was a senior associate at Lenz & Staehelin, one of Switzerland’s leading law firms, where I advised corporate clients on issues ranging from governance and employment matters to competition/antitrust investigations.
What Makes Me Different From My Classmates
Coming to Michigan Law was a shared project with my wife, who is pursuing a doctorate involving empirical legal methods. As one of the very few top US law schools with a center dedicated to this field, Michigan was a perfect fit for her, too.
My Time at Michigan Law
Why I Chose Michigan Law
As a practicing attorney, I wanted to do my LLM at a law school that is not only renowned for the strength of its legal scholarship, but also places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, particularly in the area of business law. Michigan Law distinguished itself in this regard, with many classes tailored to my interests and taught by experienced practitioners.
The small LLM cohort also means that you truly get to know each of your classmates and receive exceptional support from the Law School throughout the year.
What Makes Michigan Law Special
One feature of Michigan Law that stood out to me is the diversity of professional paths within its student body. Of course, like at other elite law schools, there are many JDs who will go to New York to work as corporate lawyers at large law firms. But Michigan Law also has a vibrant public interest community, alongside future litigators, in-house lawyers, and entrepreneurs.
My Favorite Classes
I particularly enjoyed Professor Knox’s Business Planning class on counseling startups. But, if I had to pick one, it would be Internal Investigations with Professor Lynch; it’s incredible that the University’s vice president and general counsel takes the time to teach.
What Surprised Me Most About Michigan Law
The sincere interest and availability of the professors for their students. It’s one thing to hear about it, but it’s another to experience it.
The mini-seminars are a perfect example of this: students meet with a professor over a semester or even a full year—often over dinner at the professor’s home—to discuss some law-related topics in an informal setting. The mini-seminar I took with Professor Seinfeld, where we read books written by members of the faculty, was one of the highlights of my year. In addition to the conversations being incredibly rewarding and the food always delicious, Professor Seinfeld’s enthusiasm in sharing these moments with his students was obvious.
What the “Michigan Difference” Means to Me
Above all, the sense of community. Whether in the Law School or in Ann Arbor more generally, you feel a constant sense of pride and belonging. As the chant goes: It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine!
The Best Things About Ann Arbor
Its size. Ann Arbor is big enough to have many great shops, cultural offerings, and restaurants—from Weber’s for a romantic dinner to Frita Batidos for a tasty Cuban burger. But it’s still very much a university town in which you feel part of a community: wherever you are, you will always see people wearing the University’s colors, whether because they are affiliated with the University or fans of its sports teams.
And if you want to explore the country or travel abroad, there is a major airport only 30 minutes away.
If I Could Time Travel, I Would Give Myself This Advice at the Start of My LLM Year
Don’t wait. Time flies, and if there’s anything you want to do during your LLM year—be active in an association, visit places, connect with professors—start doing it in the first semester.
Extracurricular Activities
I participated in the Pro Bono Expungement Screening Clinic organized by the Michigan Advocacy Program, which helps remove old convictions from publicly available criminal records. In the United States, convictions typically remain on your record indefinitely and can make it very difficult to get a job or find an apartment—even if the offense is very minor or dozens of years old.
Fun Stuff
My Favorite Way to De-stress
Biking around Ann Arbor. The bike lane network is excellent and there are beautiful trails in and around the city.
Favorite Book
The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
Favorite Movie
The Social Network.
Favorite TV Show
The Americans.
Favorite Musical Artist
The National.
Favorite Beverage
Black coffee.
Favorite Food From Home
Raclette.
Favorite Food in the United States
Chicken-fried steak.