<p>International law seems sort of interesting; these kinds of lawyers take care of contracts between multinational companies and their country of operation and they also serve as liasions for disputing clients living in different countries. But I'm wondering, isn't this a very specific, and narrow specialization ? Do people even specialize in international law ? If one was to specialize in int. law, would their job prospects be narrow, or could they still be hired at the generic law firm ?</p>
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Do people even specialize in international law?
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<p>Sure do! On a dramatic scale, think of the Hague and international court. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_law%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_law</a></p>
<p>In an age of ever-present globalization, I'm guessing lawyers who have learning in international law may be of service to expanding businesses, too. </p>
<p>New York University's law school offers the best international law program in the nation. How do I know? Because US News and World Report bothers to rank the best law schools offering this speciality. <a href="http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/law/brief/lawsp06_brief.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/law/brief/lawsp06_brief.php</a></p>
<p>privet valentina, thanks for the great post, but I'm just wondering, say I wouldn't work for a multinational corporation, then can I still get hired at a generic law firm ? I mean sure international law sounds really prestigious and all, but in newspapers where lawyers are advertised, I don't see too many lawyers, non at all in fact, who specialize in international law. If i were to specialize in this, I just want to make sure that in case I don't get an international type job, that I can still work as a generic attorney. I don't want to specialize in something too specific and then not be able to find a job. Btw, the Hague is really serious stuff, no one can really just become legal counsel at the Hague unless you've had many many years of experience, but i get your point.</p>
<p>You can always work as a legal officer for the UN, I know there are plenty of other law-degree-required opportunities but I can't remember much for now.</p>
<p>wow Yams, that sounds encouraging. hahaha, i guess I'll have to do my own research on that. Any other ideas and advice guys ???</p>
<p>im planning on studying int law after undergrad... i believe its also very helpful if you know more than 2 languages and can speak them fluently.</p>
<p>I'm interested in international law too, the business part, not the government part. Anyone have some good leads on how to get into that field?</p>
<p>The world of international law breaks down roughly into two pieces:</p>
<p>Public international law - ie issues between countries, soverignty, treaties, UN, Hague, WTO etc.</p>
<p>Private international law- ie commercial arrangements among parties from different countries.</p>
<p>As most large companies have international presence and do busiess throughout the world, much corporate and commercial law practiced in large US law firms and in house at companies involves private international law. Many of these lawyers do not think of themselves as international lawyers, but only as corporate lawyers engaged in an internatinal practice. </p>
<p>However, there are elements of private intenrational law that can involve actually appearing in front of courts and tribunals in foreign jurisdictions, eg international arbitration, patent filings and disputes, and antitrust practice come to mind. These lawyers may work with local specialists, or at times have special expertise in the foreign jursidiction. Some US lawyers also practice in foreign offices and provide US law advice to international clients in those locations.</p>
<p>For law shool, one need not spcialize in international law to ultimately have an intenrational practice. However, it may be useful to take some courses that aid in understanding the main issues, such as international business transactions, international arbitration and dispute resolution, international patent and trademark law.</p>
<p>bostonpops, great info ! hazmat, thanks for that article, that gentleman seems very very intellectual on a widespread international level. this sounds like a great field, guys ! good luck to those pursuing it !</p>
<p>He spoke and presented at Ivy Council this year.........it was fabulous.</p>
<p>however, jeffrey sachs is a (very involved) political scientist, not a lawyer. he did not go to law school. </p>
<p>i've had to read his work in several of my poli sci classes</p>
<p><a href="http://www.law.upenn.edu/cf/faculty/dskeel/%5B/url%5D">http://www.law.upenn.edu/cf/faculty/dskeel/</a></p>
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In November 2001, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stunned the international financial community by announcing its support for a sovereign bankruptcy regime -- an institutional structure that would enable countries that are overwhelmed by debt to restructure their obligations much like financially troubled individuals or corporations do. Although it was later derailed, the IMF proposal underscored the deep inadequacy of existing strategies for addressing sovereign debt crises. The financial crisis in Iraq has magnified a parallel debate over the issue of odious debt -- that is, whether some of the debt incurred by tyrannical regimes should treated as unenforceable. And conditions in Africa have spurred a worldwide campaign for general debt relief.
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<p>Perhaps this is a better example.</p>
<p>A presenter in Skeel course. Very interesting international experience as it relates to current culture. A clear example of international law in my view.</p>