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Susan Marsnik

Professor

  • Education
  • A.A., Liberal Arts, Vermillion Community College
    B.A., English Literature, University of Minnesota
    J.D., International Law, Intellectual Property, and Dispute Resolution, University of Minnesota
  • Expertise
  • International and comparative intellectual property law and international data protection law.
  • Research Interests
  • Current issues in global patent and copyright law that impact multinationals doing business across borders.

Susan J. Marsnik, JD, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in legal strategy and is serving her third term as department chair.

Marsnik is passionate about combining her years in business and legal practice with her broad international experiences to provide undergraduates, MBAs, and executives with an integrated perspective on how different legal systems impact business strategies. She has led undergraduate and graduate study abroad programs, has incorporated virtual study abroad components into classes, and regularly teaches at foreign institutions, including specialized graduate programs at European universities and as a Fulbright Specialist at Beni Suef University in Egypt.

Marsnik’s research has focused on current issues in global data privacy, patent and copyright law that impact multinationals doing business across borders. Her research is published in the American Business Law Journal, The Boston College Journal of International & Comparative Law, The Journal of Legal Studies Education, and in books published in the U.S. and U.K. Published pedagogy and teaching articles and book chapters demonstrate her commitment to innovative and effective education. In 2013 and 2022, she received the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Hoeber Memorial Award for Excellence in Research for articles published in The Journal of Legal Studies Education. In 2015, she was honored by the British Association of Law Teachers with a lifetime achievement award for contributions to legal education. Her current research explores legal, ethical, and business practices for gig economy workers using Catholic Social Teaching as framing principles for worker dignity and protection.

  • Thach, S. V., Marsnik, S. J., & Rizzo, A. (2014). Accession to Trips and its engagement with the pharmaceuticals industry: Brazil and India. Journal of Global Business Issues, (8)(1), pp. 67-80
  • Marsnik, S. J., & Thompson, D. B. (2013). Using contract negotiation exercises to develop higher order thinking and strategic business skills. Journal of Legal Studies Education, (30)(2), pp. 201-248
  • Marsnik, S. J., & Thomas, R. E. (2011). Drawing a line in the patent subject matter sands: Does Europe provide a solution to the software and business method patent problem?. Boston College International and Comparative Law Review, (34)(2), pp. 227-327
  • Thach, S., & Marsnik, S. J. (2009). Patent standards under TRIPs and pharmaceutical industries in Brazil and India. Latin American Business Review, (10)(4), pp. 237-261
  • Podlas, K., & Marsnik, S. J. (2008). Building a stage for student understanding in business: Reflective learning and reflective teaching. pp. 119-132
  • Thach, S., & Marsnik, S. J. (2005). External environment, trust and east-west trade. Economica, pp. 140-150
  • Vollmers, S. M., Vollmers, A. C., & Marsnik, S. J. (2005). Caveat emptor? the consideration of economic, ethical, and biblical perspectives in determining legal alternatives. Journal of Biblical Integration: Business Cases with a Christian Worldview, pp. 29-45
  • Marsnik, S. J. (2004). A delicate balance upset: A preliminary survey of exceptions and limitations in U.S. and European Union digital copyright law. International Business Law Review,
  • Podlas, K., & Marsnik, S. J. (2002). Setting the stage for understanding of international contract negotiation: Reflective teaching - reflective learning. Atlantic Law Journal,
  • George, B. C., Lynch, P., & Marsnik, S. J. (2001). U.S. Multinational employers: Navigating through the restrictions of the EU data privacy directive with the 'safe harbor' principles. American Business Law Journal, (38), pp. 735-783
  • Marsnik, S. J., & Garrison, M. J. (2016). ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIETY. In Richard W. Kolb (Ed.), Trade secrets and corporate espionage. Sage
  • Marsnik, S. J., & Lorentz, R. (2015). Managing the Legal Nexus Among Intellectual Property, Employees, and Global Trade. Who owns employee works? Pitfalls in a globally distributed work environment (pp. 226-255). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Marsnik, S. J., & Lorentz, R. M. (2015). Managing the Legal Nexus between Intellectual Property and Employees: Domestic and Global Contexts. In L.J. Oswald, M.A. Pagnattaro (Ed.), Employer or employee ownership of copyrighted works? A comparative perspective on the work-for-hire doctrine (p. 290). Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Marsnik, S. J. (2014). Simulation: Learning the law experientially. In Caroline Stevens, Richard Grimes, and Edward Phillips (Ed.), Setting the stage: Using a simulation as a first day of class exercise (pp. 87-106). Ashgate Publishing
  • Marsnik, S. J. (2013). The Changing Face of American Patent Law and its Impact on Business Strategy. In Cahoy, D.R. & Oswald, L.J (Ed.), Will the America Invents Act post-grant review improve the quality of patents? A comparison with the European Patent Office opposition (pp. 183-220). Northhampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing Inc.
  • Marsnik, S. J. (2002). Practicing in a Global Economy. The United Nations convention on contracts for the international sale of goods.
  • Marsnik, S. J. (2002). Legal systems of the world: A political, social and historical encyclopedia. Commercial law (International perspective).
  • Contribution to Legal Education Award, Association of Law Teachers, 2015
  • Ethi and Business Law Department 'Above and Beyond' Award, 2014
  • Fulbright Senior Specialists Roster, Comparative Digital Copyright and International Business Law, 2007
  • Hoeber Research Excellence Award, Journal of Legal Studies Education, 2013
  • LuAnn Dummer Center for Women, 2002
  • University of Oxford, 2004
  • University of Saint Thomas Faculty Development Research Grant, 2004
  • Academy of Legal Studies in Business
  • Association of Law Teachers
  • Legal Education Research Network
  • American Business Law Journal, Reviewer
  • International Journal of Intellectual Property
  • Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education
  • Journal of Legal Studies Education, Editor
  • Professor, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, Saint Paul / Minneapolis (2013 - present)
  • Admitted to Practice/Professional Licensure, Supreme Court of Minnesota, St. Paul (1994 - present)
  • Admitted to Practice/Professional Licensure, U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, Minneapolis (1994 - present)
  • Visiting Professor, Universite de Caen, Institut d'Administration des Enterprises, (2007 - present)
  • Visiting Professor J-Term, Universite de Caen, Institut d'Administration des Enterprises, Caen (2007 - present)
  • Visiting Professor, University of Portsmouth - College of Business, School of Law,, Portsmouth (2013 - 2016)
  • Ethics and Business Law Department Chair, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, Saint Paul / Minneapolis (2014 - 2016)
  • Associate Professor, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (2003 - 2013)
  • Ethics and Business Law Department Chair, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, Saint Paul / Minneapolis (2003 - 2007)
  • Chair, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (2003 - 2007)
  • Visiting Professor, Universite de Caen, Institut d'Administration des Enterprises, Caen (2005 - 2006)
  • Second Marker, University of Manchester - Manchester Business School Worldwide, Gwynedd (2005 - 2006)
  • Invited Faculty, Universite de Poitiers, Poitiers (2004 - 2004)
  • Visiting Associate Professor, University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis (2004 - 2004)
  • Guest Faculty, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest (2003 - 2003)
  • Assistant Professor, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (1999 - 2003)
  • Visiting Lecturer, Novosibirsk State University, Akademgorodok (2003 - 2003)
  • Lecturer & Grader, National Practice Institute, Minneapolis (2001 - 2002)
  • Guest Lecturer, University of London, Kings College, London (2001 - 2001)
  • Presenter, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow (2001 - 2001)
  • Interim Chair, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (2001 - 2001)
  • Visiting Speaker, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire Law School, Preston (2001 - 2001)
  • Guest Lecturer, The Open University Law Programme, Milton Keynes (2001 - 2001)
  • Instructor, Upper Midwest Association for Intercultural Education, London/Dublin (2001 - 2001)
  • Guest Lecturer, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul (2000 - 2000)
  • Guest Lecturer, Franklin College, Grimsby (2000 - 2000)
  • Visiting Professor, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (1999 - 1999)
  • Director of Attorney Marketing, Co-Counsel, Inc., Minneapolis (1997 - 1999)
  • Adjunct Professor, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (1996 - 1998)
  • Director of Attorney Placement, Co-Counsel, Inc., Minneapolis (1997 - 1998)
  • Associate Attorney, Jacobson, Harwood, Bennett & Erickson, P.A., Minneapolis (1994 - 1997)
  • Guest Lecturer, University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (1997 - 1997)
  • Student Representative and Trainer, LEXIS/NEXIS, Minneapolis (1992 - 1994)
  • Student Director, University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis (1993 - 1994)
  • Summer Associate, Jacobson, Harwood, Bennett & Erickson, P.A., Minneapolis (1992 - 1992)
  • District Manager, Addison Wesley Publishing Company, Minneapolis (1990 - 1991)
  • Marketing Director, The University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis (1988 - 1990)
  • Eastern Regional Sales Manager, West Educational Publishing, St. Paul (1987 - 1988)
  • Field Manager, West Educational Publishing, St. Paul (1985 - 1987)
  • Developmental Editor, West Educational Publishing, St. Paul (1983 - 1984)
  • Sales Representative, West Educational Publishing, St. Paul (1982 - 1983)
  • Administrative Editor, West Educational Publishing, St. Paul (1981 - 1982)