Center on European Union Law
Jean Monnet Center of Excellence for the Comparative Study of EU Business Law
The Center on European Union Law at Fordham Law School promotes understanding of European Union law among students, scholars, lawyers, and policymakers. Founded in 1984, the Center was among the first academic institutions in the United States dedicated specifically to the study of European Union law and, in particular, to exploring the relationship between the United States and the European Union. From its inception, it has served as a bridge between the two legal systems, fostering dialogue, comparative research, and transatlantic cooperation at a time when such engagement was far less common than it is today.
Over four decades, the Center has grown into a vibrant hub for scholarship and exchange. It has welcomed visitors from across the European Union—including leading academics, judges, policymakers, practitioners, and students—who have contributed to a dynamic intellectual community. Through conferences, lectures, workshops, and collaborative research projects, the Center has facilitated meaningful conversations on the evolution of EU law and its interaction with U.S. law.
In 2025, the Center was designated a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence for the Comparative Study of EU Business Law for the period 2026–2028. Led by Professor Martin Gelter, the Center advances research, teaching, and public engagement on EU law with a focus on comparative EU-U.S. business law.
At a time when transatlantic cooperation is increasingly vital, the Center continues to play a crucial role in building relationships, deepening mutual understanding, and strengthening the legal and institutional ties between Europe and the United States.
Mission
The Center’s mission is to promote understanding of EU law through research, teaching, conferences, and collaboration with scholars, judges, practitioners, and policymakers. It focuses on comparative EU-U.S. business law and examines major issues such as competition law, corporate governance and capital markets, trade regulation, digital regulation, international insolvency, international tax law, corporate social responsibility, contract law, consumer protection, antidiscrimination, employment law and climate-related business law challenges.
Funded by the European Commission as a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, the Center serves as a hub for scholarship and teaching to promote a greater understanding of European Union Law in the United States and beyond. The Center supports conferences, visiting faculty, visiting scholars, and students interested in European Union Law. We aim to promote the dissemination of EU law among students, academics, and legal practitioners in the United States. Given Fordham University’s location in New York, the Center aims to capitalize on the academic resources of the region and the law school’s connection to practice.
History
Fordham Law has a longstanding commitment to European Union law. Beginning in 1962 with one of the first U.S. conferences on EU law, the Law School has hosted major international conferences, training sessions for EU officials, and academic collaborations across Europe and the United States.
The Center was formally established in 1984 and expanded under leaders including Professors Barry Hawk, Roger Goebel, Mark Patterson, and Martin Gelter. Over decades, it has hosted EU judges, scholars, and policymakers and strengthened Fordham’s international academic partnerships.
Jean Monnet Center of Excellence
In 2025, the European Commission awarded Fordham Law School Jean Monnet Center of Excellence status to support its work on comparative EU business law. The initiative supports high-impact research, visiting scholars, student engagement, and public programming that explores global regulatory developments, including the influence of EU regulation beyond Europe.
The Center examines key issues such as the balance between federalization and subsidiarity in business law and the global impact of EU regulation known as the “Brussels Effect.”
Past Events
Center on European Union Law - archive of past events
Acknowledgements
The Jean Monnet Center acknowledges financial support from the European Commission - Erasmus LS Program, Project ERASMUS-JMO-2025-HEI-TCH-RSCH- 101239744, Jean Monnet Center of Excellence for the Comparative Study of European Union Business Law at Fordham, EU_FORDHAM.