From Kellogg–HKUST to Northwestern Pritzker Law: A Shared Path into the MSL

Three current online Master of Science in Law students share something in common: they are all 2011 graduates of the Kellogg–HKUST Executive MBA program, a partnership between the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Bill Huang, David Day, and Doug Nairne come from different corners of Asia, and they have diverse professional backgrounds. Yet each independently felt the need to gain formal legal training, and each decided to re-up for another Northwestern degree – the Master of Science in Law (MSL) degree at Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law.

Interdisciplinary Motivations

Bill Huang is a former business development executive for the Greater APAC region at Intel Capital, based in Taiwan; David Day leads sales and account management across APAC for London Stock Exchange Group from Singapore; and Doug Nairne serves as COO of First Advantage in Hong Kong. With their many educational and professional accomplishments, and with none of them having designs on becoming a lawyer, it might seem surprising that these Kellogg MBA alums ended up studying law at Northwestern. But all three felt that studying law would enhance their professional depth and performance. And with the Law School now offering a master’s degree in law for professionals who don’t plan to be lawyers – a degree that can be completed mainly online – each found an efficient and rewarding way to engage in law study.

Bill was actively looking for an organized way to learn about law; he knew learning on the job was not enough. “I am very much into structured and supervised learning,” he explained. “I thought the MSL would be the right way for me to get exposed in a structured manner to learn about law and how law intertwines with technology and business – this intersection plays a very critical role in the technology landscape today.”

David’s work at the London Stock Exchange Group focused at the intersection of technology and financial markets and brought him into regular contact with legal issues. He knew he needed to develop his legal understanding to be able to perform at his best and he viewed the MSL as an essential next step. “It’s highly important in my industry to understand the intersection between business, technology, and law,” he said.

As a COO, Doug observed major shifts reshaping the global business landscape. “We’re seeing rapid technological developments – for example, AI and automation,” he said. These developments come with complicated legal issues. “I knew I needed to learn more so I could be a more effective leader. There was a convergence of my interest in law, my past courses, and my interest in technology that all came together.”

Building on Previous Study

All three students agreed that law study in the MSL relates to their previous MBA study, but that it also adds an element that has broadened and sharpened their professional perspective. Bill said the coursework has shifted how he approaches business challenges. “Now, when I think about the problems we face, the legal and regulatory aspects come in – and that is something that didn’t happen before,” he said. “The classes in the MSL build on the business foundation I already have and give me a better understanding of how law and technology shape the decisions we make at work.”

David noted that legal training has reshaped his mental approach. “I’ve always thought that lawyers had a great framework – how they dissect and analyze a situation. There’s a logic and structure to it,” he explained. “Incorporating that way of thinking into my own work has been incredibly useful, and combining the MSL with my other skills has allowed me to navigate in very complex environments.”

Doug trumpeted the program’s direct applicability: “Contract law, employment law, IP, privacy – it’s all applicable. You’re constantly making connections to your day-to-day work.”

Flexible and Accommodating Degree

Though Bill, David, and Doug are halfway across the world from Northwestern’s physical campus in Chicago, their experience in the MSL online program has been smooth. David notes: “The format really works for me. It gives me the flexibility to balance work and travel.” He also appreciates how well the online schedule works for international students. “For anyone in Asia, you can attend classes in your mornings. The time zones work,” he said. Doug agrees. “I find the part-time program quite doable, especially because you can adjust the number of courses you take each term – I started off modestly, but now have been able to ramp up and take more courses.”

Though they take most of their classes online, Bill and Doug have attended classes in person in Chicago, and David plans to take classes in person later this year. “When you do have the opportunity to meet in person – whether with professors or classmates – it adds real richness to the experience. You end up appreciating the in-person moments even more when most of your study is online,” said David. Doug notes the value of being exposed to classmates from industries outside his usual professional circle. “There’s a lot of diversity in the MSL – age, background, nationality, industry. That’s been enjoyable – being exposed to people from scientific and technical backgrounds I normally wouldn’t encounter.” 

Continuing the Northwestern Connection

For Bill, David, and Doug, enrolling in the MSL felt like reconnecting with an academic community they trusted from previous experience. Bill described the influence of his Kellogg–HKUST network: “I have very strong connections and affiliations with my MBA program and my classmates, and that really cemented the decision to enroll in another Northwestern degree.”

David found that joining Northwestern’s MSL program felt like a natural extension of the Kellogg–HKUST experience. “One of the reasons I was attracted to the MSL was because of the ties between Northwestern Pritzker Law and Kellogg,” he said. “It’s not just the classroom – it’s the connectivity to your classmates, adjacent programs, professors, and the broader groups.”

For Doug, the sense of community has always been a defining part of the Kellogg–HKUST experience, and by extension, Northwestern University. “The community has always been very active. It’s a very close group, and continuing those relationships now through Northwestern’s Law School has been really meaningful.” He added: “Northwestern as a whole – the branding, the rankings, the community focus – it’s really strong.”

Northwestern’s international presence has played a key role in building the MSL community and fostering connections between MSL graduates and other Northwestern alumni. Last November, several MSL faculty and staff members had the opportunity to visit with MSL students and alumni in Taiwan and Singapore; Bill was an integral part of the trip to Taiwan, and David graciously hosted the MSL group in Singapore. Both visits also featured large MSL-sponsored events for Northwestern alumni from across the University. (Learn more about these trips: recap on Taiwan and recap on Singapore.)

A Law Program for the Modern Professional 

In global, regulated, and technology-driven environments, legal knowledge is key, but gaining formal legal knowledge has not always been accessible for busy professionals. The Master of Science in Law program has been a boon for three Kellogg–HKUST alumni, who are deepening their understanding of the intersection of law, business, and technology while carrying on with their professional and personal lives in Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Their experience reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, professional growth, and the value of returning to a trusted academic partner.