Factors in Finding International Law Opportunities
Geography
Geography is one factor in the search for a career in international law, but it is no longer a decisive one. International lawyers practice from all corners of the globe, often relying on technology to conduct their work. While opportunities tend to concentrate in cities along the coasts, for example in the New York and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas or in San Francisco and Los Angeles on the west coast, many other cities have firms and organizations with strong international law practices and programs across the United States.
Law School Courses
While there is no prescribed course work for entering the international law field, all students are advised to take a core course in international law as well as specialized courses in sub-fields of interest. This course teaches fundamental aspects of international law which are foundational to an understanding of both public and private international law.
The program’s courses may be divided into three broad areas: Public International Law, Private International Law and Comparative and Foreign Law. A selection of the courses relevant to each area is listed below.
Students interested in international & comparative law should also consider the International Moot Court Team, the Maryland Journal of International Law and Advanced Legal Research focusing on international law.
Public International Law
- International Human Rights
- International Criminal Law
- International Environmental Law
- Health and International Human Rights
- International Women’s Human Rights
- International Human Rights and Environmental Litigation Seminar
- International Labor Law
- Law and Indigenous Peoples Seminar
Private International Law
- International Business Transactions
- International Trade Law
- International Civil Litigation
- International Intellectual Property
Comparative & Foreign Law
- Comparative Law
- Comparative Public Policy and Law Reform
- South Africa: Race and the Law
- Comparative Commercial and Business Law Seminar
- Comparative Jurisprudence Seminar: Transcultural Perspectives on the World’s Legal Systems
- European Union Law
- Immigration Law
- Introduction to the Chinese Legal System
Relevant Skill Sets and Other Attributes
Completing relevant course work in international law is an important component of building the knowledge base and the analytical skills needed to undertake international law work. Beyond course work, however, there are other skills sets and attributes that are helpful for a career in international law. These include, for example, proficiency in foreign languages, cross-cultural communication skills, flexibility, the ability to work in ambiguous environment as well as field experience.
Students at Maryland have the opportunity to gain experience abroad through international study-abroad programs and externships.
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