Maurizio Porrino
master International Arbitration
My name is Maurizio Porrino. In 2024, I graduated from EUR’s master’s programme in International Commercial Law, specialising in international arbitration. I am a Mexican lawyer from Universidad Panamericana and currently work as an associate at a boutique arbitration firm in Mexico City. My master’s thesis was titled “Assistant.exe: An Analysis of Generative Artificial Intelligence as a Tribunal Secretary in International Arbitration”.
This programme was a pivotal step in my legal career. I was always passionate about arbitration and international dispute resolution, and this master’s gave me the tools I needed to secure opportunities in this field. I was driven to this master’s specifically for its specialised approach to arbitration. My prior academic experiences with the discipline felt limited or self-taught. This master’s was the first time I comprehensively studied arbitration in an academic setting, from its most basic concepts to its most challenging and complex notions. I wanted to build a solid foundation of knowledge in this field, which was just what this programme offered.
I appreciated the faculty’s teaching style the most. All lectures were dynamic and practical, which was very welcome when studying a subject as technical as arbitration. In fact, the faculty is the master’s greatest added value. EUR’s school of law has a deep tradition with arbitration, and this connection is nurtured to this day. All faculty members are renowned practitioners and/or academics in the field. Although all lecturers have different teaching styles, everyone has interesting ‘war stories’ and vast technical knowledge. I found all lectures engaging, accessible, and in-depth.
Beyond the programme’s excellent academic aspects, this experience certainly made me grow as a person. As an international student, I was far outside my comfort zone and disconnected from the network of support that my friends and family provided. While this was intimidating at first, navigating these personal challenges massively enriched my experience in Rotterdam. Every day I interacted with new cultures and worldviews. I learned a lot from all my international friends and became much more aware of the world around me.
Finally, the master’s has a clear business focus. For me #WhereLawMeetsBusiness meant that, as students, we were encouraged to think about the entrepreneurial side of law quite often. EUR hosted several networking events and practical webinars which reminded us that legal work goes beyond textbooks.
The most important tip is to live this experience to its fullest. As law students we can sometimes become too fixated on the academic and professional aspects of a master’s. Rotterdam is a beautiful city full of interesting people and places. Make time to interact with your fellow students or wander around. You will be rewarded with amazing friends and lifelong memories.My name is Maurizio Porrino. In 2024, I graduated from EUR’s master’s programme in International Commercial Law, specialising in international arbitration. I am a Mexican lawyer from Universidad Panamericana and currently work as an associate at a boutique arbitration firm in Mexico City. My master’s thesis was titled “Assistant.exe: An Analysis of Generative Artificial Intelligence as a Tribunal Secretary in International Arbitration”.
This programme was a pivotal step in my legal career. I was always passionate about arbitration and international dispute resolution, and this master’s gave me the tools I needed to secure opportunities in this field. I was driven to this master’s specifically for its specialised approach to arbitration. My prior academic experiences with the discipline felt limited or self-taught. This master’s was the first time I comprehensively studied arbitration in an academic setting, from its most basic concepts to its most challenging and complex notions. I wanted to build a solid foundation of knowledge in this field, which was just what this programme offered.
I appreciated the faculty’s teaching style the most. All lectures were dynamic and practical, which was very welcome when studying a subject as technical as arbitration. In fact, the faculty is the master’s greatest added value. EUR’s school of law has a deep tradition with arbitration, and this connection is nurtured to this day. All faculty members are renowned practitioners and/or academics in the field. Although all lecturers have different teaching styles, everyone has interesting ‘war stories’ and vast technical knowledge. I found all lectures engaging, accessible, and in-depth.
Beyond the programme’s excellent academic aspects, this experience certainly made me grow as a person. As an international student, I was far outside my comfort zone and disconnected from the network of support that my friends and family provided. While this was intimidating at first, navigating these personal challenges massively enriched my experience in Rotterdam. Every day I interacted with new cultures and worldviews. I learned a lot from all my international friends and became much more aware of the world around me.
Finally, the master’s has a clear business focus. For me #WhereLawMeetsBusiness meant that, as students, we were encouraged to think about the entrepreneurial side of law quite often. EUR hosted several networking events and practical webinars which reminded us that legal work goes beyond textbooks.
The most important tip is to live this experience to its fullest. As law students we can sometimes become too fixated on the academic and professional aspects of a master’s. Rotterdam is a beautiful city full of interesting people and places. Make time to interact with your fellow students or wander around. You will be rewarded with amazing friends and lifelong memories.
