Steffen Pedersen, LLM ’24: An Education By Land, A Career By Sea

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An avid reader and world traveler, Steffen Pedersen has worked his entire legal career as a maritime lawyer in international law firms. Currently, he is working as a maritime arbitrator with a keen interest in deep sea mining. He is also a frequently published author and panelist on the topic of international arbitration and mediation, with a focus on East and South-East Asia. Steffen decided to pursue his LLM in Comparative Law at Haub Law to open the door to more opportunities in the United States in his career as an international arbitrator.

What brought you to the United States, can you tell us about your background?

I am Danish, I was born in Denmark, but grew up internationally, in London and Hong Kong. So, ironically, I am qualified as a Hong Kong and English lawyer, but not a Danish lawyer. Thus far, I have worked my entire legal career as a maritime lawyer in international law firms in East Asia in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. I studied Mandarin specifically with the intention of working in East Asia as at that time it was obvious that this was the growth area in the world and local language skills would become more and more important. Life always has other plans. My wife is Korean, but she grew up in the United States and that brought us here. We have adorable, but crazy children, who are 11 and 5. We have lived in the United States since January 2022.

What drove you to pursue an LLM at Haub Law?

I did not know a lot about graduate schools when I initially started applying, but as I did my research, a number of factors attracted me to Haub Law. The entire application process was seamless, the campus is very conveniently located for me, and it is the number one ranked law school in environmental law, which gave me the chance to learn about new areas while making myself more marketable.

Once you entered the program, how did you find the LLM experience at Haub Law?

Haub Law is a flexible, easy-going school and I really enjoyed studying there. It was a different experience as an almost 50 year old, whereas many students are younger – the juxtaposition between our thinking was interesting. I absolutely loved my International Environmental Law class with Professor Smita Narula. It was a great experience and she is a masterful teacher. I also enjoyed Constitutional Law immensely; this was a completely new area for me and I found it really intriguing.

Would you encourage others who are thinking about it to pursue an LLM?

Absolutely, just do it. You only live once. Regret the things you've done, not the ones you haven't. I am confident that my LLM will bolster my career and pave the way for me to remain marketable to employers moving forward. To have studied at a top tier institution such as Haub Law that has a premiere reputation in environmental law is invaluable especially with the discernible change in global consciousness on the importance of environmental issues.

I am confident that my LLM will bolster my career and pave the way for me to remain marketable to employers moving forward.

What are you currently pursuing career wise?

I am working as a maritime arbitrator. I have a keen interest in deep sea mining in particular, it is a very unique and niche area. I am planning to take the NY Bar Exam as soon as possible, which for me will likely be February 2025, as I have hearings in London in June and July of 2024 which prevent me studying for the July exam. From there, I hope to start pursuing arbitration appointments in the United States. I also signed up to take the Marshall Islands bar exam before COVID struck. I am still waiting to do that and hope to find the time soon.