Five questions with Lukas Hecht, visiting scholar from Germany
Lukas Hecht is a doctoral research assistant at the University of Bremen in Bremen, Germany. Hecht will be with KU Law until April 25, conducting research for his Ph.D. on the relationship between professional sports leagues and antitrust law. Professor Stephen Ware is serving as his faculty advisor during his stay.
Why did you choose to come to KU Law? How did you learn about our program and establish contact?
When I was considering conducting research for my Ph.D. in the United States, my supervising professor in Bremen suggested that we contact Professor Ware, whom we had the pleasure of meeting at the June 2024 International Conference on “Informed Consent to Dispute Resolution Agreements” hosted by my home faculty in Bremen. Professor Ware was happy to invite me to KU Law for a short stay and to be my faculty liaison.
What are your professional goals for your time at KU Law? What will be your next career steps after your time here?
I am currently working on my dissertation on the relationship between professional sports leagues and antitrust, or as we call it in the EU, competition law. When the European Court of Justice ruled against FIFA/UEFA in relation to their predatory actions against a proposed rival sports league similar in structure to the Major Leagues of North America, I knew that I wanted to include a comparative law chapter in my dissertation. In order to research this chapter, I am grateful to have access to your wonderful Wheat Law Library.
When I finish the monograph for my Ph.D. by the end of this year, I will begin a two-year legal clerkship in order to obtain the second legal state examination required to practice law in Germany.
How does the academic and research environment at KU Law differ from your home institution?
I would say the differences are huge. Just looking at the student-faculty ratio, Bremen currently has 15 tenured professors, a handful of adjunct professors and about 30 doctoral candidates responsible for about 1,200 students. However, the very traditional legal education in Germany does not require a bachelor’s degree, so it is not uncommon for about a third of the students to drop out before taking the first state legal exam.
When considering the university as a whole, it is unusual for universities to be concentrated on one campus, including student housing. In addition, college sports do not exist in Germany.
What are your favorite things about Lawrence? What about your home do you miss the most?
Lawrence is an amazing city with friendly people who create a welcoming atmosphere. I mostly miss my friends and family.
What advice would you offer to other scholars who may want to do research abroad?
First, I would generally advise scholars to do research abroad. The insights gained from a foreign law school and university are beneficial, regardless of the personal research findings gained from a stay abroad. Second, I would encourage scholars to plan ahead. My spontaneous and sort of “last-minute visit” to KU Law was accompanied by a few sleepless nights wondering if everything would work out.