by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
One local attorney has been hosting law students from around the world for nearly a decade and his latest visitor was from the Federal Republic of Germany.
Marie Fahlbusch, 20, of Munster, is a law student attending the Universitat Munster and chose Florida and attorney William Kent for her study abroad. The law may be a part of her genetic makeup as both of her parents are attorneys — her mother is a prosecutor and father is a bankruptcy lawyer in Germany. Both Kent and attorney Suzanne Bass have helped keep Fahlbusch’s schedule busy during her time in America and the student is very interested in the practice of law here.
“We don’t have jury trials in Germany, so that was really interesting to see,” said Fahlbusch. “I have also never been in a jail and that was interesting as well.”
Kent and Bass have filled the law student’s schedule with a trip to court to sit in on a murder trial, shadowing Kent as he talked to clients at the Baker County jail, a day in the State Attorney’s Office, a trip to federal court and witnessing proceedings in Family and Juvenile Court. Fahlbusch has also assisted Kent on some appeal work.
“When I was 17 I went to Germany on a work exchange,” said Kent. “So many people were so kind to me in Germany, I wanted to give something back.”
The Universitat Munster has just over 37,000 students and Fahlbusch is a part of the 1,900 that are studying abroad.
“They have a different system of education,” said Kent. “They go straight to law school and progress through a six-year program. They don’t go through undergrad and then go to law school.”
Kent enlisted the help of Bass to host Fahlbusch while she visited Jacksonville.
“It’s been a great experience to host Marie,” said Bass. “When they stay with you, they become a part of your life.”
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