​International Opportunities

Global Practice

Many students identify that they are interested in pursuing a career in International Law.  But what exactly does that mean or look like?  The definition of International Law is expansive, but for career exploration purposes you can break it down generally into two categories:  "public" and "private".  It can mean working in the public sector (domestically or abroad) on legal work that is international in scope.  It can also mean working in the private sector representing international clients or in an office based outside of the United States.  For those students interested in the former, we will use the term "Public International Law" in providing career guidance.  And for those students interested in the latter, we refer you to the portions of the website tailored to private practice.  The good news is that no one career path exits for students interested in either "public" or "private" International Law.  Indeed, we encourage you to explore all avenues as you prepare for a Global Practice.

Public International Law

Public International Law is traditionally defined as the law between sovereign nation-states, especially within the context of the laws of war, peace, and security and protection of territories.  However, it has expanded to include a more diverse group of subjects and activities, development, individuals and international organizations.

The practice of Public International Law involves a wide range of activities requiring a variety of skills.  It may include human rights work, providing humanitarian aid, clerking for an international court or tribunal, working for a regional organization, advocating for local communities, building up rule of law mechanisms, drafting legislation, assisting refugee and migrant populations, implementing sustainable development goals, advising on trade policy, et at.

While pursing opportunities in this field is exciting, it can also be overwhelming.  Below you will find some information and reference resources to get you started.  We strongly recommend making an appointment with an OCP counselor to help you craft your own individual search.

Where can I practice Public International Law?

The Federal Government - There are a wide number of opportunities to practice public international law within the US government.  Some examples include:

• US Department of State (http://www.state.gov/careers)
• US Agency for International Development (USAID) (http://www.usaid.gov/careers)
• US Trade Representative (https://ustr.gov/about-us/ohcs/careers)
• Department of Agriculture (http://www.usda.gov)
• Department of Energy (http://www.energy.gov)
• Department of Justice, Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (http://www.justice.gov/criminal-opdat)
• Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of International Affairs (https://www.sec.gov/oia)
• Overseas Private Investment Corporation (http://www.opic.gov)
• Intergovernmental Organizations (IOs) - An IO is an entity created by treaty involving two or more nations.  They address a wide range of substantive issues of law, for example:  human rights, economic and social development, hunger and poverty alleviation, capacity building, environmental law, etc.  They can be organized worldwide or regionally.  Some examples include:
• United Nations (http://www.un.org or https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx)
• UN Conference on Trade and Development (http://www.unctad.org)
• UN Development Programme (http://www.undp.org)
• UNICEF (http://www.unicef.org)
• International Monetary Fund (http://www.imf.org)
  
• World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org)
• African Development Bank (http://www.afdb.org)
• Asian Development Bank (http://www.adb.org)
• European Commission (http://www.ec.europa.eu)
  
• Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (http://www.oas.org)
• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (http://www.gavi.org)
• The Global Fund (http://www.globalfund.org)
• World Health Organization (http://www.who.int)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (http://www.wipo.int)
• World Trade Organization (http://www.wto.org)

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) - There are thousands of these types of organizations worldwide.  They can be local, national or international.  They use a variety of advocacy methods and are best known for taking action in bringing human rights issues to the fore and developing legal principles that command the attention of states.  Some examples include:
• Human Rights Watch (http://www.hrw.org)
• International Rescue Committee (http://www.rescue.org)
• Amnesty International (http://www.amnesty.org)
• Center for International and Environmental Law (http://www.ciel.org)
• Center for Reproductive Rights (http://www.reproductiverights.org)
• EarthRights (http://www.earthrights.org)
• International Service for Human Rights (http://www.ishr.org)
• International Commission of Jurists (http://www.icj.org)
• International Institute for Sustainable Development (http://www.iisd.org)

• International Courts and Tribunals - International courts and tribunals are permanent judicial bodies made up of independent judges, entrusted to adjudicate international disputes on the basis of international law.  There are a wide variety of international courts and tribunals with varying degrees of relation to the UN.  Some examples include:
• African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (http://en.african-court.org)
• Court of Justice of the European Union (https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/j_6/en/)
• European Court of Human Rights (http://www.echr.coe.int)
  
• European Free Trade Agreement Court (http://www.eftacourt.int)
• Inter-American Court on Human Rights (http://www.corteidh.or.cr/index-en.cfm)
• International Court of Justice (https://www.icj-cij.org)
  
• International Criminal Court (http://www.icc-cpi.int)
  
• International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (http://itlos.org)
• World Bank International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/)
• International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (https://unictr.irmct.org/en/tribunal)
• Constitutional Court of South Africa (https://www.concourt.org.za/)

What resources are helpful when exploring the field of International Law?

• Michigan Law Resources - there are a number of excellent resources available to you right here on campus.  Make an appointment with an OCP counselor to help you craft an individualized search.  
• Symplicity (https://law-umich-csm.symplicity.com/students/)
• Public Service Network, search by "International" for a list of places where student have worked  (https://www.law.umich.edu/careers/pubintcomm/pubservnetwork/Pages/Overview.aspx)
• Local Faculty (https://www.law.umich.edu/mlawglobal/Pages/facultyandadministration.aspx)
• Internships, Externships and Study Abroad (https://www.law.umich.edu/mlawglobal/internationalopportunities/Pages/default.aspx)
• PSJD.org - Search under "Resources, Public Sector Career Paths, International" for a number of excellent guides including:
  
• Finding and Funding International Public Interest Opportunities
• Guide on International Development:  Public Service Careers and Opportunities
• Human Rights Careers
  
• Jobs with the UN & International Organizations:  A Brief Guide
• Tips for Students Seeking International Internships
• Tips for U.S. & Canadian Students Applying for Internships Abroad
• U.S. Work Eligibility for non-U.S. Citizens
• Yale Law School Guide to International Public Interest Careers
• Idealist.org
  
• Reliefweb.int
• DevNet Jobs (http://www.devnetjobs.org)
• American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/rule_of_law/)
• UN Audio Video Library of International Law - http://www.un.org/law/avl/
• American Society of International Law (ASIL) - https://www.asil.org/
  
• Careers in International Law:  A Guide to Career Paths in International Law (OCP Library)
• ASIL Video Library & YouTube Channel - There are numerous videos, but you may want to start with the following:
• Pursuing Careers in International Law - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WxyD1U8pWI
• Getting Into and Getting Ahead in International Law - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BePhWJlqo4Y
• Getting Started in International Law:  What I Wish I Had Known From the Start - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYnnareROzc