Editing ContentInternational
International Law - Public and Private
Definition - Private vs. Public
For international law in the private sector, you may find yourself working with Asian clients on a contract that is going to be completed in the US or you may be working with a US company that wants to open operations in South American. In either case, there is no private international law that will cover the transaction - some country=s law will apply. One BYU alum remarked that doing private international just ment he had to take a call from China at 2:00 am.
Public international is different. Although there is no overseeing government, the UN and various treaties have resulted in a human rights and criminal system of laws, although their application may be limited. Employers may include the federal government, non-governmental organizations (NGO) or an inter-governmental agency such as the United Nations. In public international you have several areas to choose from: activism, academic/research, and government/diplomacy. You also need to decide if you want to work in the field or at headquarters.
Marketing Yourself
· Your resume must show a strong interest in and commitment to international law.
· You should pursue an international externship during your first summer. You can do this by
participating in one of several international externship programs including:
· International By Request Program
· The Three Full-summer Externships
· Fellowships with the Center for Law and Religious Studies
· Take all international law classes offered.
· Get involved with international groups, such as the International Law & Management
Review, and the International Society.
· Be the best US attorney you can and develop a specialty or expertise. This is particularly
important for attorneys interested in private international law.
· Be sure to develop a knowledge of international law, particularly if you are looking at public
international.
· Emphasize your language skills.
Web Resources
ABA Rule of Law Initiative (http://www.abanet.org/rol/)
The Rule of Law Initiative is a public service project of the American Bar Association dedicated to promoting rule of law around the world. They believe that rule of law promotion is the most effective long-term antidote to the pressing problems facing the world community today, including poverty, economic stagnation, and conflict.
American Foreign Service Association (http://www.afsa.org/)
The AFSA is a professional association whose members include current and retired members of the US Foreign Service.
American Society of International Law(http://www.asil.org/index.cfm)
ASIL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational membership organization founded in 1906 and chartered by Congress in 1950. The mission of the American Society of International Law is to foster the study of international law and to promote the establishment and maintenance of international relations on the basis of law and justice.
Central Intelligence Agency (https://www.cia.gov/)
The homepage for the US Central Intelligence Agency.
The Department of Defense (http://www.defense.gov/)
The homepage for the US Department of Defense.
Export-Import Bank of the United States (http://www.exim.gov/index.cfm)
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.
Foreign Policy Association (http://www.fpa.org/)
The Foreign Policy Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the American public to learn more about the world. Founded in 1918, the Foreign Policy Association serves as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding of, and providing informed opinions on global issues. Through its balanced, nonpartisan programs and publications, the FPA encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process.
The Hague (www.thehague.nl)
The Hague is an actual city in Holland and is home to more that 150 international legal organizations. To find information on these organization go to: www.thehague.nl. Then click on City of Peace & Justice/International City/International Organizations. The web pages will provide you with information about international organizations, NGO=s (Non-governmental Organizations), European organizations, and the Hague Justice Portal.
Internships USA (http://www.internships-usa.com/) (contact the CSO for the passwords)
The internships are categorizes by employer type. Categories that might be of interest to students interested in international work include: Internships in International Affairs, The Human Rights Internship, The Women's Rights Internship and Washington Internships in Law and Policy.
International Bar Association (www.ibanet.org)
The International Bar Association (IBA), established in 1947, is the world’s leading organization of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. The IBA influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession throughout the world. It has a membership of more than 40,000 individual lawyers and 197 bar associations and law societies spanning all continents. It has considerable expertise in providing assistance to the global legal community.
International Center for Law and Religious Studies (http://www.iclrs.org/iclrs/)
The BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies works with scholars, government leaders, non-governmental groups, and religious organizations to promote religious liberty and study the relations between governments and religious organizations.
The International Criminal Court (http://www.icc-cpi.int/)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC is based on a treaty, joined by 104 countries.
International Development Law Organization (www.idlo.int)
IDLO was founded in 1983 by a group of lawyers working in international development agencies in Africa. Troubled by the imbalances they saw in trade, commercial and development assistance negotiations, they sought to prepare legal professionals in developing countries to better protect and promote their societies’ interests.
International Society (http://www.ldsinternationalsociety.org)
Society members are members or friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have international interests.
This law firm directory allows you to search by country as well. Be sure to do an “advanced search”.
Another law firm directory that allows for searching by country. Be careful: the directory is predominately NALP membership which means many firms, particularly smaller ones, are missing.
A directory of non-governmental organizations.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (http://www.opic.gov)
OPIC is the U.S. Government’s development finance institution. It mobilizes private capital to help solve critical world challenges and in doing so, advances U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC works with the U.S. private sector, it helps U.S. businesses gain footholds in emerging markets catalyzing revenues, jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad.
The Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) (http://www.publicinternationallaw.org/)
The PILPG is a non-profit organization, which operates as a global pro bono law firm providing free legal assistance to states and governments involved in conflicts. To date, PILPG has advised over two dozen states and governments on the legal aspects of peace negotiations and post-conflict constitution drafting, and over two dozen states and War Crimes Tribunals in Europe, Asia and Africa concerning the protection of human rights, self-determination, and the prosecution of war crimes.
The United Nations (http://www.un.org/)
Easy to get to career page with extensive list of jobs with the UN. Just be patient after you apply.
US Agency for International Development (http://www.usaid.gov/)
U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world. USAID has been the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms.
US International Trade Commission (http://usitc.gov/index.htm)
The United States International Trade Commission is an independent, quasijudicial Federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade.
US Institute of Peace (www.usip.org/)
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) provides the analysis, training and tools that help to prevent, manage and end violent international conflicts, promote stability and professionalize the field of peacebuilding.
US State Department (http://www.state.gov/)
According to the website, the U.S. Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency whose mission of diplomacy begins in Washington, DC, where Foreign Service, Civil Service, and student employees are hired to work at offices in the United States and at nearly 265 posts abroad.
US Trade and Development Agency (http://www.ustda.gov/)
The USTDA helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.
US Trade Representative (http://www.ustr.gov/)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property(IP) system.
The World Trade Organization (http://www.wto.org)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
Government Consultants and Contractors Working in the International Arena
§ Booz Allen: www.boozallen.com/
§ PAE: www.paegroup.com/
§ Checchi: www.checchiconsulting.com/
§ DPK: www.dpkconsulting.com/
§ DevEx: www.devex.com/
Hardcopy Resources
Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries (CSO)
Just what it sounds like: directory information for US firms operating overseas.
Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the United States (Reserve HG 4057.D56)
Another “just what it sounds like”: foreign firms operating in the US.
Foreign Representatives Yellow Book (Reference Desk E 154.5.F67)
List of U.S. offices of foreign nations, foreign press and intergovernmental organizations.
International Law List (Reserve K 68.I58 2005)
Listings of lawyers in the world for the purpose of collaborative aid.
Internships in International Affairs (Reserve KF 266.I57)
A listing of internships with various international organizations such as the UN, WIPO, and WTO as well as many public interest and human rights agencies. This is a great source to just see what organizations are out there.
Martindale International Law Directory (Reserve K 68.M37)
Hardcopy Martindale directory for firms located overseas.