International Organizations Clinic

Course Description

Fieldwork

It is extremely important for students to realize that the fieldwork is not an internship; students will not be working directly with international organizations. Instead, students will be conducting legal and policy analysis to inform practices of international organizations as actors in ocean governance, work with coastal, oceanic, and Indigenous community organizations to devise litigation, policy and advocacy strategies to advance the interests of those typically excluded from  decisions about exploration, exploitation, and protection of oceans and its ecosystems.

Seminar

The seminar will focus on themes that intersect with projects in the areas of global governance, such as inter-institutional cooperation; the role of lawyers and private actors in the creation, the evolution, and interpretation of international legal norms; different technologies of governance; the role of lawyers within international organizations; the relationship between different international organizations; the diffusion of ideas and legal norms; the North-South relationship in international law, amongst others.

The seminar will also be a forum for discussing the ongoing fieldwork, team dynamics, time management and client relationships, and will allow for peer review and feedback on interim work products.

Application Procedure

Students interested in applying for the clinic should submit the standard application, resume, and transcript online through CAMS. To arrange an interview, please use the CAMS system as well.

Please note there is a separate application form for LL.M. students. The deadline is different than for JDs, and is posted on the Clinic Application Timelines page.

* 6 credits include 3 clinical (fieldwork) credits and 3 academic seminar credits.

** Preference will be given to those who have taken (or are taking concurrently with the clinic) a course on international organizations.