OPIA

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…

Use of non-legal strategies to advocate for clients or a cause. Can also refer to high-level administration or management duties.

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…

A lobbyist is paid by an organization to promote the organization’s positions to federal and state legislatures and, less frequently, to administrative agencies. Lobbyists may…

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…

Lawyers often play a major role in the development, negotiation, and drafting of new legislation or amendments to existing legislation. Both legislative staffers and elected…

Legal writing refers generally to the analysis of fact patterns and presentation of arguments in legal memos and briefs. The vast majority of legal internships…

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…

HLS Programs and Offices OPIA offers many resources for students interested in international public service work. Many of our advisers have expertise in international work, including: international…

The bidding period for the 2023 Fall V-PIIP Virtual Interviews closes on August 21st at noon.

The 2024 Fall V-PIIP Resume Collection bidding deadline is September 12 at noon. Review the  Step-by-Step Guide to V-PIIP Bidding in Symplicity CSM for instructions on how to upload your materials and bid through the V-PIIP Resume Collection program.