Practice Settings

Because the type of work varies from one agency and one country to another, highlighted below and in the narratives section, are some examples of…

IGOs are typically organized by their membership and by their purpose. For example, the UN is called a global organization because all countries are allowed…

Many students seek government work, particularly in the international arena, because of the greater likelihood that they will be given an enormous amount of responsibility…

There are opportunities to gain international experience and to learn about international issues throughout law school. There are also opportunities to obtain summer internships, particularly…

Basic Skills and Specialized Knowledge There is no one size or formula that fits all international careers so in selecting your academic program you should…

Just as there is no easy way to define international law, it is just as difficult to define the skills required for an international practitioner…

Many students enter law school with a passion for a particular issue or set of issues, such as education or civil rights. Others develop a…

Public defenders represent indigent defendants in criminal cases.  Public defender offices exist at the federal, state, and local levels; there are also specialized offices that provide legal…

A prosecutor is the government attorney who charges and tries cases against individuals accused of crimes.  Prosecutors’ offices exist at the federal, state, and local…

Plaintiffs’ firms are private, for-profit law firms that represent individuals and groups seeking to redress injuries, commonly in the fields of workers’ rights, consumer rights,…

Obtaining post-law school positions with international NGOs is very complex; more so than landing a job with a domestic nonprofit and dramatically more complicated than…

If possible, obtain a summer job at an NGO. The difficulty for many students is that most international NGOs will not be able to pay.

What issues most engage you? Human Rights? Environment? Democracy Building? Law Reform? Economic Development? Health? Religious Freedom? Women’s Rights? Reproductive Rights? Children’s Rights? Foreign Relations?…

It may require perseverance and an entrepreneurial spirit to break into the career area of your choice. Embarking on a public international career is to…

International Criminal Law Though criminal tribunals fall under the auspices of the UN, the opportunities available to attorneys in these courts are unique compared to…

Nonprofit organizations are nongovernmental groups that specialize in the problems of particular populations or specific sets of issues. Types of advocacy can vary dramatically, depending…

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are typically mission-driven advocacy or service organizations in the nonprofit sector. There are large and small NGOs operating around the world and…

Maame A.F. Ewusi-Mensah YLS ‘01 International Human Rights and Private Practice I knew when I came to law school that international human rights law was…

Chi Mgbako HLS ‘05 International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Office of the Prosecutor The following is an excerpt taken from two letters Ms. Mgbako wrote…

Antonio L. Cortes YLS ’89 Koror State Government, Republic of Palau Beginning three years after graduating from Yale Law School, I was fortunate to spend…

Julia Harrington, HLS ’95 Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa I decided to go to law school after working for a year in…

There is no question that international positions can alter one’s lifestyle more so than domestic government positions. International work can require long hours, and several…

What types of NGOs exist? NGOs generally fall under one of two categories: international NGOs (INGOs) and “local” NGOs. In the former category are large…

International Public Interest Work in U.S. Governments The opportunities in government for international work are very diverse, as global issues span many different types of…

The term intergovernmental organization (IGO) refers to an entity created by treaty, involving two or more nations, to work in good faith, on issues of…

An exciting way to practice international law is to create your own practice concerning an issue of your choice. An entrepreneur in any profession, whether…

Either start or deepen your exploration of the breadth and depth of public interest careers. Practice Settings Types of work environments, offices,…

The NGO world is vast and the work varied. Like any job search, you first need to figure out where you want to work through…

In recent years, interest in international government service has increased dramatically with applicants seeking opportunities in greater numbers than ever before, both at home and…

The world of international public interest law is vast and the settings and practices are diverse. The decision to embark on an international career comes…

Public service practice takes place in legal services and law reform organizations, as well as in government agencies at all levels. It encompasses charities, educational…

International law is one of the fastest growing legal fields. The types of public service work and practice settings vary widely. The US Government hires…

The work done by public interest lawyers covers a broad range of activities. For some people, the type of work/the way they work is one…

Typically, students begin their search with summer internships. Although it is always helpful to know where you are heading in a career search, it is…

Government lawyers work at the federal, state and local level, in every state and city in the country (as well as internationally), and across almost…

The nature of a judicial clerkship depends on the court’s level and the individual judges. At the highest levels, such as the U.S. Supreme Court,…

Increasingly, students are taking time between college and law school, and this time offers a great opportunity to live, and hopefully work, abroad. Any international…

There are a variety of international courses offered at HLS, and your course load should reflect a general background in public international law, conflict of…