For his work as one of the leading experts in international labor law, Professor Matthew Finkin was awarded an honorary master's degree in Law by the University of Padova. The ceremony took place on March 18 in Padova, Italy. 

Finkin, who is the Swanlund Endowed Chair at Illinois, was recognized for his wide-ranging work in the field of labor law. Specifically, the University of Padova noted his work in areas such as protection of privacy in the employment relationship, the potential impact of information technologies also in relation to the employment relationship, the balance between entrepreneurial needs and protection of the worker's private sphere, and playing a fundamental role in the internationalization of labor law studies.

A full recording of the ceremony bestowing this honorary degree upon Finkin is available on YouTube.