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Growing up in South Africa, Mnotho Ngcobo, ’22, always knew he wanted to work in the U.S., though he was unsure of whether he wanted to pursue a profession in the field of law or education. As a Mizzou Law LLM graduate, and newly appointed assistant professor of law at the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Ngcobo found a way to do both.
“I used to tell my friends to enjoy our time together because one day, I’d leave for the U.S.,” Ngcobo said. “When applying for college, I chose between a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Education, knowing I wanted to do both but couldn’t. In my final year of undergrad, I realized I could combine my passions by teaching law. That’s when I started planning my career path, knowing I’d need a master’s degree to achieve my goals.”
After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law in his native South Africa, Ngcobo moved to Columbia to complete his LLM in Dispute Resolution. It was a decision that Ngcobo credits for helping customize his legal education.
“As an LLM student at Mizzou, I could attend some JD classes of my choice, which is one of the best aspects of Mizzou’s LLM program,” Ngcobo said. “It isn’t just centered around alternative dispute resolution (ADR); you can add courses that align with your future plans. I chose Labor Law and an overview of the U.S. legal system, among others. This flexibility has been invaluable in my new role at the University of Louisville, enabling me to teach a variety of U.S. law courses with ease.”
Ngcobo credits the inclusive community within the walls of Hulston Hall with creating an environment conducive to student success.
“The faculty and staff at Mizzou were incredible, with an open-door policy that made everyone approachable and helpful,” Ngcobo said. “Despite being a large school, it felt like a close-knit community. There were activities that facilitated engagement between students and faculty outside the classroom, which was important for building relationships. Mizzou excels at balancing academic studies with student involvement and support, which research shows leads to student success.”
Following his graduation from Mizzou, Ngcobo moved to India where he spent a year as a law lecturer at O.P. Jindal Global University, the top-ranked law school in India. In 2023, he returned home to South Africa where he served as a lecturer at North-West University before accepting an assistant professorship at the University of Louisville this past summer.
In less than three years, Ngcobo has written several peer-reviewed papers in top law journals, with more forthcoming. His ongoing projects include the examination of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission principles to address contemporary conflicts. This includes a case study of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and another on the legal and ethical implications of AI in clinical decision-making.
On top of his work on the faculty at Louisville, Ngcobo is pursuing a PhD in law at the University of South Africa. As for advice he has for those considering following in his footsteps in the Mizzou Law LLM program?
“My advice is to go for it. The program is fantastic, with faculty and staff dedicated to helping you prepare for your career.”