Careers in International Law
rotate every two to three years to one of the roughly two dozen offices in L that cover different aspects of the Department’s work.
During my career I have served as a lawyer for international claims, nonproliferation, counterter- rorism, and war crimes as well as serving as a special assistant for international security affairs during a policy detail. In these various positions, L lawyers will provide legal advice on domestic and international law, review, draft and negotiate international agreements and arrangements, help policy makers implement U.S. laws, international commitments, and foreign policy initiatives, coor- dinate with lawyers in other USG agencies and foreign counterparts, and review and draft legal documents ranging from proposed legislation, regulations, and executive orders to security council resolutions and decisions of other inter- national bodies.
What most excites you about your work?
The variety, complexity, and ever changing nature of our work keeps our practice fresh and excit- ing. When I look at the front page of the paper each morning, I know that there is an L lawyer that is working every international matter that ap- pears there. There is also a deep satisfaction that comes from representing our country and help- ing to solve problems that advance the interests of the United States and its citizens, whether it is figuring out how best to remove and neutralize chemical weapons from Syria or curtailing world- wide mercury emissions. The level of collabora- tion and collegiality among L lawyers is very high and it is privilege to work with them on issues on behalf of our country.
What does a typical day or week look like for you?
This week, the projects I’ve worked on with law- yers in my office have included meeting with the climate team on upcoming negotiations, review-
ing diplomatic communications relating the de- struction of Syrian chemical weapons, briefing policy-makers on Presidential Permit applications for transborder pipelines, analyzing whether Chi- nese and other claims in the South China Sea are consistent with international law, preparing diplomatic communications relating to maritime disputes that are before the ICJ, analyzing recom- mendations relating to the Colombia River Treaty, reviewing legislation relating to an international effort to construct a fusion reactor, helping policy- makers prepare for the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council, strategizing on upcoming maritime boundary negotiations with Bahamas, and attend- ing an international conference on the future of space exploration.
What would L like to spend more time on, but can’t due to staffing constraints?
I think many of us wish we had more time to do deeper historical and other research on issues we’re working on. Because issues need to be ad- dressed in a real-world timeframe, and because L like other government offices is thinly staffed for the work we do, we need to provide the best advice we can in the timeframe we have.
Working in L seems to be very much a “learn as you go” experience, where you constantly have to adapt to new/unexpected issues. What types of prior expe- rience can make someone (relatively) more prepared for such a role?
I think internship and externship opportunities in government, NGO’s, and other areas in the public sector can provide a great exposure to the kind of advice-giving lawyering that is a large part of what we do. Litigation and other legal experience where one is called upon to provide legal guid- ance on a range of issues and changing fact pat- terns can also be helpful. Experience working or living abroad is also a plus.
ILSA Quarterly » volume 22 » issue 3 » February 2014 85
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