Student Opportunities
Students who are interested in global and international law should also consult the list of WashULaw International Opportunities and the International and Comparative Law Academic Area of Interest page.
Harris Institute Post-Doc Fellow
Between 2017 and 2020, the Harris Institute jointly convened the ICC Scholars Forum to provide academics who work on and teach about the International Criminal Court a space to gather and discuss some of the common challenges in teaching or doing research about the ICC.
As part of the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute staff, the Fellow assists with the academic projects of the Institute, including the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative and the Gun Violence in the US Initiative, as well as assists with the Harris Institute speaker series, the International Humanitarian Law Dialogs, the World Peace Through Law Award, and other Harris Institute activities and events. The Fellow also supervises JD students working with the ICC Legal Tools project, the Crimes Against Humanity Research Project, the Gun Violence and Human Rights Project, and other projects.
Crimes against Humanity Research Project
Research assistants are regularly recruited to support the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative and Professor Leila Sadat in her work as the Special Advisor on Crimes against Humanity (CAH) to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. As part of the CAH Research Project, students assist the Office of the Prosecutor with researching and analyzing cases on CAH issues.
Dagen-Legomsky Fellowship Program
Through the generous support of the late Margaret and Irvin Dagen, in honor of Professor Stephen H. Legomsky, the Dagen-Legomsky Fellowship Program provides JD students with financial support to engage in exciting and meaningful summer work or study in international public interest law. The Dagen-Legomsky Academy Fellowship Award covers the registration/tuition fee for students to enroll in the three-week summer public interest programs at The Hague Academy and the Xiamen Academy of International Law and provides the selected student(s) a stipend to cover economy airfare, accommodation, and other related expenses for the duration of the program. The Dagen-Legomsky Public Interest Fellowship Award provides students financial support for public interest work abroad during the summer.
Call for applicants for the Dagen-Legomsky Fellowship Program is announced in late fall on the Intranet and via email to the Harris Institute student listserve. If you would like to subscribe to the listserve, click here to email the Institute and please add “Subscribe” in the subject line.
Global Public Interest Law Internships: Africa Public Interest Law & Conflict Resolution Initiative
The Africa Public Interest Law & Conflict Resolution Initiative is a student and faculty project coordinated by Professor Karen Tokarz to advance human rights, conflict resolution, and access to justice in Africa; to foster study, research, and professional experiences in Africa for Washington University Law students and faculty; and to offer educational programs on Africa at the School of Law. Student interns work for ten weeks in the summer for legal aid and public interest law organizations, and courts and tribunals in Africa. In their placements, students engage in client interviewing and counseling, community education, negotiation and dispute resolution, human rights research and policy reporting, prison visits, trial preparation, and/or appellate brief writing. Although primary placements are in Africa, students may secure placements in other parts of the world.
International Court of Justice Traineeship Program
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has invited Washington University School of Law to nominate candidates for the Court’s annual Traineeship Program. The Program enables recent law graduates to gain experience working at the ICJ. It aims to improve participants’ understanding of international law and of the Court’s procedures by actively involving them in the work of the Court and allowing them to build on their experience under the supervision of a judge. Participation in the Program is open only to a select group of universities around the world, and the invitation to our School of Law reflects the strength and reputation of our international law programs and training.
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court
The Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the largest moot court competition in the world. Nearly 600 law schools representing over 100 countries participate each year. Written and oral arguments are presented to a simulated International Court of Justice, the UN body which hears disputes between sovereign states.
International Justice & Conflict Resolution Externship
The International Justice and Conflict Resolution Externship provides students with the opportunity to learn international criminal law and practice, conflict resolution theory and practice, and advocacy, while interning for a semester with lawyers practicing before international courts and tribunals, international judges, and lawyers in international conflict resolution offices, government offices, and non-governmental organizations. In the externship, students gain structured, hands-on experience in international litigation, conflict resolution, and advocacy through their work under the direct supervision of international judges or attorneys, with oversight from Washington University Law faculty.
Languages at Lunch Program
The Harris Institute partners with the International Law Society and the SBA Diversity Committee to offer the Languages at Lunch Program which provides members of the WashULaw community an opportunity to practice their language skills during the lunch hour. Conversation tables are usually in French, German, and Spanish and are open to all levels of proficiency. Sessions are held in the Detjen Seminar Room (Seigle Hall 108E) from 12 to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch, refreshments will be provided! Visit the Harris Institute calendar for upcoming tables.