ASU Masterclass – Understanding the Structure of the U.S. Legal System from a Practical Perspective

Continuing the ASU Masterclass – Understanding US Legal Culture, students majoring in Law and Economic Law were introduced to in-depth content on the structure and origins of the United States legal system. Through the lecture delivered by MBA. Huỳnh Thị Như Hiếu, students were guided with a systematic approach, from foundational structures to the practical functioning of the law.

The United States legal system is built upon a federal model of governance, a distinctive structure that clearly defines the division of powers between the federal government and individual states.

During the session, MBA. Huỳnh Thị Như Hiếu helped students clarify the core principles of the U.S. legal system:

• The Constitution holds supreme authority within the legal system
• States have the power to enact their own laws, provided they do not conflict with federal law
• Federal law prevails in cases of conflict
• Legal systems must be understood through logical and structured analysis, as law is the result of power distribution and coordination

  

In addition, under the lecturer’s guidance, students explored the operational mechanisms of the three branches of government:

• Legislative branch – enacts laws
• Executive branch – implements laws
• Judicial branch – interprets and develops the law

The structured and coherent presentation enabled students not only to understand what the law is, but also how it functions in practice.

The classroom atmosphere remained highly interactive, with students actively asking questions, analyzing issues, and connecting theoretical knowledge with practical contexts under the lecturer’s guidance.

CONCLUSION

The session delivered by MBA. Huỳnh Thị Như Hiếu provided students with a solid foundation in systematic legal thinking regarding the United States legal system. This serves as an important starting point, enabling students to further explore more advanced topics in international law.