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SKILL SHARPENER
Whittier Law Students Explore All Facets of International Law Through Center and Certificate Program [by Erica Winter] Doing a wide range of work within a chosen field and seeing many sides of an issue is very important, says Rachel Stevens, a second-year law student at Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, CA. “Only then can you have an educated opinion on what you believe,” she says.
Stevens and third-year student, John Cay-
Violence Against Women Act, however, there
ish judges, such as Justice Breyer. Stevens is
angyang, are currently working towards their
is a provision allowing abuse victims to apply
also helping to publicize Whittier’s study-
certificates in international law at Whit-
for citizenship on their own. Working under
abroad program in Israel and is considering
tier. They have a myriad of opportunities to
the supervision of the group’s staff attorney,
going herself.
develop their educated opinions by availing
Stevens spent the summer helping women
themselves of a wide range of international
apply for citizenship.
John Cayangyang, who has had a lifelong interest in international relations and
programs there, all housed under Whittier’s Center for International and Comparative
Contrast her last summer with this summer,
international law, is a research assistant to
Law (CICL).
and Stevens’s philosophy becomes clear.
Professor Hari Osofsky, Director of the CICL,
While it is not uncommon for law students
and aided her work getting the center up
A relatively new program, Whittier’s inter-
interested in immigration issues to work with
and running. Cayangyang helped Osofsky in
national law certificate is generating a lot
indigent immigrants, it is unusual for that
building up the young center’s programs by
of student interest. Five certificates were
same law student to then go work for those
researching which law firms in the area did
granted to law graduates in 2004, 29 will be
putting stricter limits on immigration.
international law and helping to find speakers for the center’s colloquia.
given in 2005, and so far 22 are planned for graduates in 2006.
This summer, Stevens will go to work for the Department of Homeland Security’s office
Cayangyang gave a presentation recently to
To receive the certificate in international
of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Whittier’s board of trustees on the CICL’s
law at Whittier, students must take two base
(ICE), Los Angeles. In addition to broadening
progress. “The board is very proud of us,” he
classes (International Law and Comparative
her horizons, working with ICE will give her
says; they see that Whittier’s “students have
Legal Systems), 15 elective credits in the
a clearer picture of what it is like to work for
been able to reap the benefits of the center.”
field, and attend at least 12 colloquia run at
the government, which is one of her career
the CICL. Stevens came to Whittier knowing
goals, she says.
she wanted to pursue international law. “It
“I really love every aspect of international law,” says Cayangyang, including human
was one of the reasons I came here,” she
Still, since Stevens is only in her second year,
rights, international business negotiations,
says. Stevens’ particular area of interest is
things could change; and her work at Whit-
and international peace agreements. He
immigration law. Her work demonstrates
tier has given her several options to choose
has a particular interest in the intercultural
that she practices what she preaches.
from. Currently, Stevens is a junior member
exchange that happens when international
of the Journal of Child and Family Advocacy.
negotiations or talks happen on any topic,
Last summer, Stevens worked at San Pedro
She is working on her paper, required to be
he says. Cayangyang also went to Spain on
Community Legal Services, a small nonprofit
accepted as a full member, she says, incor-
a Whittier law program there; it was “one of
organization that provides services to women
porating international law with child welfare
the best decisions I made in law school,” he
who are being abused. Many of the group’s
issues by examining child trafficking.
says.
Stevens also works as a research assistant
Cayangyang, who says he “likes to get
to Whittier Professor Michael Bazyler, a
involved,” is on Whittier’s moot court honors
One problem the women face is being held
Holocaust specialist. Her research for Pro-
board. He is the student organizer for Whit-
back from applying for citizenship by abusive
fessor Bazyler has covered many topics, she
tier Law’s recent hosting of the Interna-
husbands, explains Stevens. Under the
says, including researching the work of Jew-
tional Law Weekend--West, and is Editor of
clients are Hispanic, and some are not yet citizens.
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