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International and Comparative Law
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: SEE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY LAW
INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW PROGRAM AT GW LAW PREPARES THE NEXT GENERATION of leaders in the legal profession to work in a complex and dynamic world, one defined largely by the ability of professionals to solve problems that increasingly involve multiple jurisdictions and a range of international and comparative law issues. The program offers one of the most extensive international law curricula in the country, with more than 50 specialized courses. Students may focus their studies in the general program curricula or in one of two concentrations: (a) international human rights or (b) international arbitration, mediation, and other forms of dispute resolution.
GW Law’s approach to international law is unique. It is built upon the recognition that international and comparative law does not stand alone but rather permeates every field of law. Our Washington, D.C., location and close proximity to the State Department, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States, law firms, nonprofit organizations, and other international entities enables students to both observe and discuss the application of law, policy, and regulations with practitioners, thereby allowing them to grasp the complexity of contemporary global issues. Because of its location, the law school is able to draw on a distinguished corps of adjunct faculty members— noted practitioners, government officials, and jurists who offer seminars in their fields of specialization—and to attract distinguished scholars and lawyers from around the world. Our students have a range of opportunities to perform research; pursue externships; attend numerous events related to the field; participate in moot court competitions, clinics, and journals; and study abroad.
His Excellency George Cristian Maior, LLM ’92, Ambassador of Romania to the United States, led a recent on-campus discussion of international legal issues relating to Crimea.
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
LLM IN INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW
A minimum of 12 credits from the following courses are required,* including two (2) credits graded on the basis of research paper. For students who choose to write a thesis, Thesis and a minimum of 12 credits from the following courses are required.
Advanced International Trade Law Chinese Business Law Chinese Law and Legal Institutions Comparative Constitutional Law Comparative Law Comparative Law Seminar Comparative Public Procurement Counterterrorism Law Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the U.S. International Trade Commission Field Placement** Human Rights Lawyering Immigration Clinic Immigration Law I Immigration Law II International Arbitration International Banking and Investment Law International Business Transactions International Business Transactions Seminar International Climate Change Law International Commercial Law International and Comparative Patent Law International Copyright Law Immigration Criminal Enforcement International Criminal Law International Dispute Resolution International Environmental Law International Family Law International Finance International Human Rights Clinic International Human Rights of Women International Intellectual Property International Investment Law and Arbitration International Law International Law of Human Rights International Litigation International Money Laundering, Corruption, and Terrorism International Negotiations International Organizations International Project Finance International Taxation International Trade Law Introduction to Transactional Islamic Law Islamic Law Law of the European Union Law of the Sea Law of War Nation Building and the Rule of Law National Security Law Nuclear Nonproliferation Law and Policy Public International Law Seminar Procurement in International Development Refugee and Asylum Law Regional Protection of Human Rights Space Law Trade and Sustainable Development U.S. Export Control Law and Regulation U.S. Foreign Relations Law
*Conflict of Laws also will be available; only students with a non-U.S. law degree who plan to take the New York bar examination may count this course toward the 12 credits required in the field. **With the permission of the program director.
CONCENTRATION IN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
Students wishing to pursue a concentration in International Human Rights must complete 10 credits specifically in this area of study as a part of (and not in addition to) the credits required to complete the LLM in International and Comparative Law. Within these 10 credits, two credits of experiential learning are required, which can be obtained by pursuing related Field Placement, Moot Court, or the International Human Rights Clinic. Students also need to complete a writing requirement on a topic related to international human rights.
Courses in the GW-Oxford Summer Program in International Human Rights Law (see list of courses below) Human Rights and Environmental Protection Human Rights Lawyering Immigration Clinic Immigration Law I Immigration Law II Individual and Group Rights International Human Rights Law Clinic International Human Rights of Women International Law of Human Rights Nation Building and Rule of Law Public International Law Seminar Refugee and Asylum Law Regional Protection of Human Rights Selected Topics in Public International Law
Students wishing to pursue a concentration in International Arbitration, Mediation, and Other Forms of Dispute Resolution must complete 10 credits specifically in this area of study as a part of (and not in addition to) the credits required to complete the LLM in International and Comparative Law. Within these 10 credits, two credits of experiential learning are required, which can be obtained by pursuing related Field Placement, Moot Court, Graduate Clinical Studies, or Legal Practicum. Students also need to complete a writing requirement on a topic related to their concentration area.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Arbitration Commercial Arbitration Conflicts of Laws International Arbitration International Dispute Resolution International Investment Law and Arbitration International Litigation International Negotiations Mediation Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Negotiations
The program is held during the summer at the University of Oxford. Credit earned in these courses may be applied toward LLM program requirements in International and Comparative Law and the Concentration in International Human Rights.
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights— Law and Practice Gender, Sexuality, and International Human Rights Law Human Rights Advocacy and Dissemination Human Rights in a Digital Age Human Rights in the Marketplace Human Rights and Military Responses to Terrorism International Human Rights and Refugee Law International Rights of Women War, Peace, and Human Rights
These courses are related to, but do not count toward, the International and Comparative Law curriculum requirement.
Admiralty Art, Cultural Heritage, and the Law Seminar Conflict of Laws Disaster Law Homeland Security Law and Policy Law and Anthropology Law in Cyberspace
Most courses are offered at least once per year. Course listing is based on 2020-21 Law School Bulletin.
OXFORD–GW SUMMER PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW Complementing and enriching the program is the Oxford–GW Summer Program in International Human Rights Law, held in Oxford each summer. The program is intended to prepare students to contribute to the improvement of human rights conditions in their homelands and around the world.
IMMIGRATION CLINIC Students in the Immigration Clinic handle immigration law matters under faculty supervision. Because the clinic’s clients come from all over the world, cultural sensitivity is essential and diverse language skills are welcome.
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CLINIC The International Human Rights Clinic introduces students to the practice of law in the cross-cultural context of international human rights litigation and advocacy.
COMPETITION LAW CENTER Directed by Professor William Kovacic, the Competition Law Center sponsors research and promotes education in the field of competition law—also known as antitrust law— particularly relating to issues of international enforcement and the harmonization of national laws and policies.
INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW LECTURES AND CONFERENCES GW Law hosts regular lectures and conferences on international and comparative law. All members of the law school community are encouraged to attend. INTERNATIONAL LAW SOCIETY LLM students are encouraged to join the law school’s International Law Society (ILS), one of the largest student groups on campus. ILS regularly hosts lectures and social events, as well as an annual International Law Week during the spring semester that culminates with a gala at one of the embassies in Washington, D.C.
HUMAN RIGHTS LAW SOCIETY Another active student group, the GW Human Rights Law Society, hosts a wide range of events related to human rights and also hosts an annual conference.
GLOBAL INTERNET FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES Established in 2011 with the generous support of the Microsoft Corporation, the series brings to the law school prominent experts in the fields of free speech and human rights.
INTERNATIONAL LAW IN DOMESTIC COURTS
International Law in Domestic Courts, published online by Oxford University Press, provides commentary on domestic judicial decisions involving international law issues around the world. Both JD and LLM students may be considered for participation in the journal.
FACULTY
Full biographical information for full-time faculty members and deans begins on page 64.
ASSOCIATE DEAN
Rosa Celerio Associate Dean for International and Comparative Legal Studies; Burnett Family Professorial Lecturer in International and Comparative Law and Policy
FULL-TIME FACULTY
Martin J. Adelman Theodore and James Pedas Family Professor of Intellectual Property and Technology Law
Alberto M. Benítez Professor of Clinical Law
Paul Schiff Berman Walter S. Cox Professor of Law
Francesca Bignami Leroy Sorenson Merrifield Research Professor of Law
Karen B. Brown Theodore Rinehart Professor of Business Law
Thomas J. Buergenthal Lobingier Professor Emeritus of Comparative Law and Jurisprudence
Arturo Carrillo Professor of Clinical Law
Steve Charnovitz Associate Professor of Law
Donald C. Clarke David Weaver Research Professor of Law
Robert J. Cottrol Harold Paul Green Research Professor of Law
Laura A. Dickinson Oswald Symister Colclough Research Professor of Law
David Fontana Samuel Tyler Research Professor William E. Kovacic Global Competition Professor of Law and Policy; Professor of Law; Director, Competition Law Center
Renée Lettow Lerner Donald Phillip Rothschild Research Professor
Sean D. Murphy Manatt/Ahn Professor of International Law
Peter Raven-Hansen Glen Earl Weston Research Professor of Law Emeritus
Stephen A. Saltzburg Wallace and Beverley Woodbury University Professor of Law;
Steven L. Schooner Nash & Cibinic Professor of Government Procurement Law
Joshua I. Schwartz E.K. Gubin Professor of Government Contracts Law
Dinah L. Shelton Manatt/Ahn Professor of International Law Emeritus
Ralph G. Steinhardt Lobingier Professor of Comparative Law and Jurisprudence
Edward T. Swaine Charles Kennedy Poe Research Professor
ADJUNCT FACULTY
The International and Comparative Law Program includes more than 35 adjunct faculty members who are prominent legal professionals. They come from leading law firms, nonprofit organizations, U.S. government agencies, and international organizations including:
• Basel Institute on Governance,
International Centre for
Asset Recovery • Dell Services Federal Government • Environmental Defense Fund • Environmental Law Institute • Faegre Drinker, Biddle & Reath • Fish & Richardson • Greenberg Traurig • GW's Elliott School of
International Affairs
• Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights • International Institute on Race,
Equality and Human Rights • Jenner & Block
• Jones Day • Law Offices of Charles H. Camp • Law Office of Sara Kropf • MassPoint Legal and Strategy
Advisory • NATO Administrative Tribunal • Partovi Law Immigration Solutions • Sherman & Sterling • Sidley Austin • Steinman & Rodgers • U.S. Army • U.S. Citizen and Immigration
Services • U.S. Department of Justice • U.S. Department of the Navy • U.S. Department of State • U.S. International Trade Commission • The World Bank
• Zeman & Petterson
Full biographical information for our adjunct faculty members is available at www.law.gwu.edu/faculty.
