William & Mary invented American summer law programs abroad in 1967. Since then more than 4,300 future lawyers from law schools across the nation have studied abroad with William & Mary Law School. The alumni of these programs have carried a broadened perspective into the practice of law, business, and politics. These experiences and insights of international education are becoming increasingly important with the accelerating globalization of the law and its practice.

Since its inception in 1988, the Law School's five-week program in Madrid, Spain, has been one of the most popular programs offered by an American law school in Europe. Law students from many law schools and a limited number of Spanish law students and graduates participate each year. Courses are taught in English by Spanish law professors, most of whom have experience in American law schools and who are noted leaders in their government or private practice, and by American law professors. Courses have included The Legal System of the European Union, The Law of the World Trade Organization, International Environmental Law, Human Rights in Europe, Securities Regulation in Europe, European Internet Law, Comparative Corporations, and Introduction to Civil Law and Comparative Constitutional Law. Qualified students may also choose to extern in a Spanish law firm.