As we reflect on International Education Week, we’re proud to highlight the global experiences and diverse perspectives that strengthen our UConn Law community. In that spirit, we are delighted to share the journey of LLM to JD student Pearl Addo, whose path embodies resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of international education.  In addition to being a JD student, Pearl also works in the International Programs department at UConn Law as an International Professional Development and Exchange Specialist with International Programs.

Below, in her own words, Pearl reflects on the path that brought her here and the perspectives she hopes to share.

“Hi everyone! I’m Pearl Addo, an LLM to JD student at UConn School of Law.  My journey has been one of courage, faith, and determination. As the first daughter and grandchild in my family to earn a college degree, I always dreamed of becoming the first lawyer in my family — and I made that dream come true when I was called to the Bar in Ghana in 2021.

When I moved to the U.S. in 2017, I was encouraged to take a more “stable” career path in Healthcare, but I knew my calling was law. That conviction led me to the University of Ghana School of Law and eventually to UConn Law, where I earned my LLM in Energy and Environmental Law.

My time at UConn Law has been truly transformative. The coursework, field placement experience, and amazing community have shaped me both personally and professionally. Now, as an LLM to JD Advanced Standing student, I’m continuing to build on that foundation. Every challenge I’ve faced has only made me more determined to make an impact wherever I find myself.

I’m so proud to be part of a community that values inclusion, excellence, and growth — and to keep growing here at UConn Law!”

We are grateful to Pearl for sharing her inspiring story and for the strength, perspective, and purpose she brings to the UConn Law community. Her journey is a reminder of the power of determination — and of the many ways our students shape the future of law both locally and globally.

To celebrate the second day of International Education Week, we’re excited to highlight the speakers joining us for the CAIL (Connecticut Alliance of International Lawyers) Case Law Lunch on Tuesday, November 18th, from 12:30–2:00 PM. This special event brings together scholars and practitioners whose diverse perspectives enrich our understanding of comparative and international law.

Abdul-Manan Mahama (Ghana)

In his presentation, Abdul-Manan will walk us through two recent Ghanaian Supreme Court decisions—Ayishetu Abdul Kadiri v. Abdul Dwamenah (March 2025) and Mrs. Abena Pokua v. Yaw Kwakye (July 2025)—each of which plays a pivotal role in clarifying property rights within marriage.

The key takeaway from these cases is a significant shift in Ghanaian family law: spouses now have a recognized constitutional right to own property independently during marriage. In other words, property acquired during the marriage is no longer automatically presumed to belong jointly to both parties.

Through his discussion, Abdul-Manan will highlight how these rulings bring much-needed clarity and predictability to the division of property in divorce cases, striking a thoughtful balance between individual ownership rights and equitable principles in family law.

Silveira Rodolfo (Brazil)

In his presentation, Silveira will explore a fascinating Brazilian case that began with a seemingly simple scenario: What happens when the million-dollar question has no correct answer? A contestant on Brazil’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? found herself confronting exactly that dilemma. Unable to choose a right answer because none existed, she walked away with BRL 500,000—and then sued the network for the full prize she was denied the opportunity to win.

The dispute rose all the way to Brazil’s highest non-constitutional court, ultimately becoming a landmark decision on the “loss of a chance” doctrine. Through his discussion, Silveira will show how this unusual case reshaped the understanding of when a lost opportunity can itself be legally compensable.

 

 

Anamay Mishra (India)

In his presentation, Anamay will discuss the Supreme Court of India’s judgment in Amarveer Kaur v. Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd., a motor accident compensation case in which he represented the petitioner—the widow of the deceased—and ultimately secured a favorable ruling.  The central question before the Court was whether the High Court’s reduction of the compensation award violated the meaning of “compensation” under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

During the session, he will:

Explain the Facts and Procedural Background – outlining the fatal accident, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal’s award, and the High Court’s subsequent reduction.

Identify the Legal Issues – including the interpretation of “just compensation,” calculation of dependency and future prospects, and the need for consistent application of key precedents such as Pranay Sethi and Sarla Verma.

Demonstrate the Compensation Computation – presenting step-by-step how the Supreme Court recalculated the award using the multiplier method, assessing future prospects, determining personal expense deductions, and quantifying consortium and funeral expenses. He will display the compensation table used by the Court, showing how each component was reasoned and calculated.

Highlight the Judgment’s Significance – emphasizing the Court’s reaffirmation that motor accident compensation must be fair, equitable, and grounded in human dignity, while balancing legal precision with compassion.

Offer Comparative Insight – briefly comparing Indian compensation principles with U.S. tort law, illustrating how Indian jurisprudence aligns with broader international approaches to restorative justice.

Through this case, Anamay will discuss the evolving judicial approach in India toward victims’ rights and insurer liability, while drawing meaningful parallels with U.S. tort principles.

Guliko Matcharashvili (Georgia)

In her presentation, Guliko will examine the Constitutional Court of Georgia’s landmark decision on non-citizens’ access to free public education, focusing on Darbinian and Others v. Parliament of Georgia (Case No. 2/3/540, 2014). The case highlights the Court’s evolving role in enforcing social rights and its willingness to scrutinize state policies that restrict access to essential public services.

The dispute was brought by foreign nationals residing in Georgia, who challenged specific provisions of The Law on General Education. The challenged norms did two key things:

A. They set an exhaustive list of those eligible for free public education, effectively excluding non-citizens (Paragraph 7 of Article 22).

B. They established rules for obtaining a state-funded education voucher for foreign nationals and stateless persons—but only if the applicant first paid a fixed fee into the state budget (Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 221).

The petitioners argued that these provisions violated their constitutional rights, specifically Article 14 (equality before the law) and Article 35(1) and (3) (the right to education).

In presenting this case, Guliko will illustrate how the Constitutional Court confronted fundamental questions about equality, inclusion, and the state’s responsibility to guarantee access to education—especially for those who fall outside traditional citizenship categories.

We invite you to join us for the CAIL Case Law Lunch and hear these speakers share their compelling international legal perspectives. It’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and engage with global ideas firsthand!

This past Sunday, almost all Americans took part in the familiar ritual of changing the time on their clocks. Every year, we “spring ahead” in the spring (though it often still feels like winter) and “fall back” in the fall.

While the extra hour of sleep in the fall can feel like a small gift, the transition isn’t always easy. The earlier sunsets can make evenings feel shorter and darker, often leaving people feeling more tired or out of sync as daylight fades sooner. Each year, as we adjust to the change, many find themselves wondering why we continue to shift between standard time and daylight time. As with many things, there’s a law behind the entire process.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) was first introduced in the United States in 1918. The system has undergone multiple adjustments since then, with the most significant federal framework established under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, Public 89-387. Over the decades, Congress has amended the policy several times — primarily to modify the start and end dates of DST — culminating in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58 which set the current schedule. The United States Code currently outlines time in Title 15 §§ 260-67.

Oversight of Daylight Saving Time and the nation’s time zones falls under the U.S. Department of Transportation. Today, every state except Hawaii and most of Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) observes DST. The U.S. territories — American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — also do not participate. Under federal law, states may choose to opt out of observing Daylight Saving Time through legislative action. However, they cannot choose to remain on daylight saving time permanently without an act of Congress.

Over the past seven years, 19 states have passed legislation supporting year-round Daylight Saving Time, contingent on federal approval — and, in some cases, similar action by neighboring states. However, because current federal law prohibits permanent DST, Congress must act before any state can officially make the change.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 2025, at least 30 states considered or are considering DST legislation. For more information on Daylight Savings Time, check out the 2020 report from Congressional Research Service, which also provides an overview of several studies examining the effects of Daylight Saving Time on safety, energy consumption, and public health.

As Halloween approaches, it’s not just ghosts and goblins that come out to play — the spirit of curiosity and legal research awakens as well.  While many are preparing for trick-or-treating and costume parties, legal professionals can embrace the season by refreshing their research skills and exploring the intersections of law and Halloween.

For those looking to dig into spooky scholarship, HeinOnline offers a Halloween-themed blog post, Behind the Bindings: Tricks and Treats in the Law Journal Library,  which uncovers research tips sure to summon fascinating (and perhaps ghostly) findings.  HeinOnline also conjured up 5 creepy court cases that will make your skin crawl.

Additionally, Cleveland State University Law’s  Top Ten Spookiest Law Review Articles provides a curated selection of works that explore the more haunting aspects of legal scholarship — a perfect read for the brave at heart.

For a lighter take on the season, Tanya Johnson’s  popular blog post, Happy Halloween! Legal-Themed Costumes for You and Your Pet, offers creative ideas that blend law and Halloween spirit in fun, imaginative ways.

May this Halloween season inspire both curiosity and scholarly exploration.

Happy Halloween!