Aine Adachi LL.M. ’25, Loren Ben David ’25, Taqbir Huda LL.M. ’25, and Sean O’Connell ’25 represented Harvard Law School this year at the 2025 Salzburg Global Cutler Fellows Program. Launched in 2012, as part of the Salzburg Global Seminar, the program brings together students from 14 leading U.S. law schools to foster skills and forge connections through their common interest in international law. Mark Wu, Henry L. Stimson Professor of Law, serves as the program’s academic chair and accompanied the students from HLS.
The 2025 program, “International Law: Comparative Voices and Viewpoints,” convened in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 20-22. In advance of the opening session, each fellow prepared a research paper on an emerging issue in public or private international law. Then, during the intensive conference, the students and a committee of law professors reviewed each paper in a workshop setting and offered advice on how to refine the work for possible publication.
In their papers, the Harvard Law students examined extraterritoriality and its implications for transnational legal justice; the intersection of international humanitarian law and international human rights law during the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq; the right to reparation for human rights violations and the ensuing remedial obligations of the state; and the impact of international financial institutions on the adoption of banking standards in developing countries.
O’Connell appreciated the opportunity to share his paper on banking standards with other law students interested in international law and with law professors who have specific expertise in international law and economics. “When you are focusing on a very specialized topic, getting such a broad range of feedback is particularly useful in pointing out areas where there might be gaps in your research, suggesting a different way to approach a problem or argument, or helping you improve your writing style,” he said.
This year’s program also included several panels, on topics ranging from “Achieving Human Rights and Sustainable Development under International Law: African Perspectives” to “International Law under the Second Trump Administration,” as well as a Knowledge Café, where the fellows found opportunities to discuss personal goals and potential career paths with mentors engaged in public service.
Several Harvard Law alumni participated as speakers and mentors, including Raymond Atuguba S.J.D. ’04, John B. Bellinger III ’86, Katrin Kuhlmann ’96, Barbara Medrado ’19, Muna Ndulo LL.M. ’71, and Gomiluk Otokwala LL.M. ’10.
“What was striking to me is that there are a lot of passionate and level-headed people who understand the criticisms of international law, but also believe in its spirit and promise. Despite current trends, that gives me hope,” says Adachi.
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