Employment in International Law: advice & guidance on career options
In a previous post we attempted to provide a definition of what is an international lawyer. But as diverse as the definition is, the path to a career in international law also takes different forms.
To practice International Law, it is essential to first develop your legal knowledge and skills. Then, it is increasingly important to specialize in at least one advanced area by taking a focused master’s degree, such as an LL.M.
For every job in international law, analytical ability, research and writing skills, and the knowledge of the basic differences in the world’s legal systems as well as their political and cultural contexts is essential.
So how do we get there? What is the best strategy to get a job in international law? In this post, we will provide you with advice and guidance on career options in International Law.
1. Where to look for employment in International Law
The available career paths for an international lawyer can be broken down into law firms, government, corporate counsel, international organizations and non-profit groups
Private law firms handle most international business transactions. New York City and Washington D.C. have the largest number of international law firms.
Government offices are mostly about policymaking work. While the government cannot offer all the perks and comforts of a private firm, a young government attorney is likely to be given an immense amount of responsibility early on.
Corporate lawyers are the most active international lawyers today as most of the work done by law firms has now moved in-house. Corporations are more prone to hire lawyers well versed domestic issues like antitrust law, contacts, securities regulations, or trademarks and then train them for international law.
International organizations and non-profit agencies offer a wide variety of options for an international lawyer. The United Nations Legal Counsel’s Office, the legal departments of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have the most active legal shops.
To summarize this point, the first step you must take toward a career in international law is to define the field you are interested in and look at the right door to knock on.
2. Do you have the qualification required for that career?
Once you have a clear idea of what kind of work you’d like to do, then look at the qualifications needed to enter the field.
Most of the time, an advanced degree such as an LL.M will be required in order to supplement your general legal knowledge. Other useful skills include foreign languages, overseas experience and a strong interest in practicing law in an international setting.
Participation in the Jessup Moot Court competition, working for an international law journal and securing a summer position in an international law firm are further ways to expand your credentials. By adding these skills to a background of law you will have a solid foundation on which to build an international legal career.
The point here is to build your qualifications before and during law school. The most important qualification for a job is a genuine interest in the field and the way to demonstrate that interest is to be involved in different activities before and during law school.
3. Build your own path the employment in international law.
Keep in mind that the bigger the job the bigger the ladder. Especially, if you wish to focus your practice on a topic new to you, then you will likely need specialized training. There are different ways to build your experience:
Advance as a litigator: you want to do arbitration? work in international dispute resolution? You might not be able to start from the top especially if you work in a foreign country. Then working in a litigation firm can be a way to build your experience.
Go home, gain experience, then make your way back to the US or elsewhere: it is difficult for an LL.M to find employment in the United States. Many students found a job at an international firm back at home, gained experience, learned the firm’s values and cultures and then found a position at the same law firm but in a different country.
Get internships: this is a key step not to be missed. Especially if you do an LL.M in a foreign country, try to secure an internship during the summer or during the semester. If you intend to work in a foreign country it will definitely be a plus to have a prior experience there.
This step often takes place after you graduate. Don’t feel demotivated if you face hurdles and build your own path. If the job you want requires litigation skills, then find a job to get you to that point. If you want to work in the judiciary, then start with a clerkship. It is simply important to remember not to skip steps.
4. Connecting with employers
We mentioned it before but networking is an important step toward employment. Most of the time people are not informed properly about the potential of LL.Ms, it is therefore important to explain what you are worth to potential employers.
In the United States, the most frequently reported source of employment is through a referral or other self-initiated contact with the employer and networking.
As a result, attending conferences, events, panel discussions and so forth is crucial. A first step is to check out your Bar Association and other related-institutions: most of the time they offer free programs to students, which are often a great occasion to meet potential employers.
5. The Visa Problem
For international LL.M. students wanting to stay and work in the U.S. the main difficulty will be to move off their student visa and on to a working visa.
This post does not discuss immigration in depth. However, you should know that LL.M. graduates are eligible to apply for the Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (commonly called the OPT), which allows them to stay in the US for one year and take on internships or short-term roles relevant to their just-completed studies.
Then the natural way forward is to move on to the H1B visa. However applicants must first seek financial sponsorship from their employer.
Conclusion
The conclusion is simple: be proactive. First, you need to determine your objectives, your goals and ultimately the position you would like to occupy. Then you must qualify for that position and demonstrate your interest. Finally you will be required to show that you are experienced in the field.
In the end, the path to employment in international law is not that easy, especially for LL.M students, but don’t feel discouraged if it does not go as fast as you wished. After all, Rome wasn’t build in a day.
