Grad Fellow
Law Career Services
When someone says they practice international law, it sounds so intriguing. But what is international law exactly? The term sounds as if it stands for one area of law. Yet it is actually a term that covers a number of legal fields governing actions between nations. Traditionally, international law has been divided into two main sectors: (1) Public International Law, and (2) Private International Law. Public International Law includes practice areas such as immigration law, criminal law, environmental law, health law, security law, human rights law, and diplomatic law. On the other hand, Private International Law includes transnational business law/litigation/arbitration, intellectual property law, economic law, and sales and contract law. These lists are not exhaustive either, since international law is so expansive.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in international law, you should stay current on the news because international law is so dynamic. New careers emerge more frequently in this field compared to other areas of law. This is due to the fact that employment opportunities often trail trends, new innovations, and changes in law. For instance, the restoration of the relationship between Cuba and the United States has sparked the potential for new employment opportunities in international law. According to the ABA Journal, Florida lawyers have begun providing legal advice on how to do business in Cuba, how to register trademarks on products that were once prohibited, and how to launch Airbnb’s presence in Cuba. In addition, the ABA Journal also reports that the International Law Section of the Florida Bar has created what has been referred to as the “people-to-people tour,” wherein attorneys travel to Cuba in search of potential business opportunities. This is just one example of an emerging career in the field of international law. Click here to read the full ABA Journal article.
If you would like to obtain a career in international law, check out some of these job search web resources:
United Nations Careers
https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=JN
Careers United
http://www.careersunited.org/home_jobseeker.asp?Lang=5
United States International Trades Commission
http://www.usitc.gov/employment/positions.htm
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
http://www.osce.org/employment/
You can also access a complete list of job search web resources on your LCSonline account in the “Documents” section. Select the “Job Search Web Resources” handout, or pick up the handout at LCS in person. In addition, contact LCS at Lawcareer@ggu.edu or (415) 442-6625 for more information on beginning your career in International Law.
