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Library Logo: return to Library home page Researching Careers in International Law

Last Updated 9/2007  Direct feedback on this page to lawlib@umn.edu.

Introduction

This guide is intended to help students who are looking for international law internships or careers.  It lists useful sources for finding information, and describes ways to find more sources.

Primary kinds of employers are the U.S. government, law firms, and corporations.  (Corporations, however, rarely hire new attorneys.)  Non-governmental organizations also employ some attorneys, and offer internships, but can rarely afford to pay interns.  Despite the lack of pay, internships in fields such as human rights are still very competitive.

Because job-hunting in the field of international law is harder than looking for traditional U.S. law firm jobs, you should be creative and persistent in your search.  Some strategies include:

  • Looking for the websites of organizations that may offer internships.
  • Using personal connections (professors, alumni, L.L.M. students, foreign J.D. students, etc.)
  • Contacting foreign law firms


More Information on the Practice of International Law

As a first step, you may want to find out more about practicing international law.  The following resources describe what it's like:

Lisa L. Abrams, The Official Guide to Legal Specialties:   An Insider's Guide to Every Major Practice Area. LAW KF 297 .A7512x 2000.

American Society of International Law, Careers in International Law:  A Guide to Career Paths and Internships in International Law (2003-2004 ed.).  LAW Reserve  K 118 .I58 C37 2003.

Careers in International Law (Mark W. Janis & Salli A. Swartz eds., 2001).   LAW Reserve KZ1238.U55 C37 2001. 

Global Law in Practice ( J. Ross Harper. ed., 1997).  LAW  K 120 .G49 1997.

Nina Segal & Eric Kocher, International Jobs: Where They Are, How to Get Them (2003).  Wilson Library Business Reference HF5549.5.E45 S44 2003.

Other sources:

Other sources that describe practicing international law are listed in this excellent article:  Robert Haibin Hu:  A Guide to Resources on Careers in Foreign and International Law, 93 Law Libr. J. 479 (2001). You can also search MNCAT under the following subject headings:     International law -- Vocational guidance     International law -- Vocational guidance -- United States.     International law -- Vocational guidance -- United States --Directories     Americans--Employment--Foreign countries     Employment in Foreign Countries     International Relations--Vocational Guidance     International Business Enterprises--Vocational Guidance


Looking for Internships & Jobs

A.    Books at the Law School:

American Society of International Law, Careers in International Law:  Your Indispensable Guide to Career Paths and Internships in International Law (2003-2004 ed.).  LAW Reserve  K 118 .I58 C37 2003.

American Society of International Law, Internships and Careers in International Law:  A Guide for Graduate and Law School Students (1996).  LAW K 115 .I58x 1996.

National Association for Law Placement, National Directory of Legal Employers (1984- ).  LAW Reserve KF 297 .A1 N37x (Current edition is on Reserve.)  Check the Practice Area index.

Stephen K. Park & Susan J. Feathers, Public Service and International Law:  A Guide to Professional Opportunities in the United States and Abroad (1998).   LAW  K 118 .P82 D28 1998.

Public Interest Job Search Guide:  Harvard Law School's Handbook & Directory for Law Students & Practioners Seeking Public Service Work (1990- ).  LAW Reserve KF 299 .P8 P83. (Current edition is on Reserve.)   This guide includes some relevant non-governmental organizations and government offices.

Also see the MNCAT subject searches in II., above, to help find other books on this topic.

B.    Organizations

One way to make connections that may help in your job search is to join organizations dealing with international law. Some of the most useful organizations include:

Each of these organizations offers student membership rates.

C.    Other Websites

Human Rights Internet, Human Rights Job Sites on the Web (http://www.hri.ca/jobboard/joblinks.shtml).  Not always current, but worth a look if you're interested in a human rights job or internship.

Human Rights Resource Center, Field Opportunities in Human Rights, http://www.hrusa.org/field/joblinks.shtm.

Lyonette Louis-Jacques, Researching Careers in International Law:  Resources in Print and Electronic Format, (http://www2.lib.uchicago.edu/~llou/careers.html). This comprehensive site lists numerous international and foreign law websites, including other web guides to finding jobs and internships.

UN Office of Human Resources Management, Compendium--Occupational Groups (job openings at the UN) (https://jobs.un.org/Release3/vacancy/vacancy.aspx?lang=1200).

U.S. Department of State, Recruitment (http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/hr).

U.S. Office of Personnel Management, USAJobs:  Job Openings (http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/index.asp).  Includes resources for students. 


Updated 9/07. Links verified 2/26/08

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