How to Become an International Law Attorney
International law is the body of laws that govern certain kinds of interactions between sovereign nations. It is also implicated when determining which jurisdictions have the right to hear a particular case. International law is distinct from comparative law, which is the study of the domestic legal systems of various countries. International law attorneys often work for government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or institutions of international law like the United Nations.
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Instructions
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Go to law school. Like any lawyer, an international law attorney must go to law school. Look for an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school that has a strong international law department. National rankings of the law school are less important than the strength of the particular department in which you want to study.
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Join an international law student group. Most law schools will have a student group devoted to international law. This is an excellent way to meet other students with similar interests and learn about opportunities in your area. Many student groups host events and invite local, regional or national attorneys.
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Network with practicing attorneys. One of the best resources for a law school student is practicing attorneys. Focus on those practicing in your field, but also look for alumni from your school with whom you have rapport. These professionals can give you advice on how to make yourself a better candidate for job openings and recommend experiences that will make you a better lawyer.
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Consider studying abroad. It's not necessary to study abroad, and not all law schools will have exchange programs. But if your school does, consider studying abroad in a program tailored for international law. This will not only give you valuable experience and perspective, it will look great on a resume and increase your field of contacts.
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Get an internship or externship. Many law schools place students in professional settings while still in school through various internship and externship programs. These are the best way to get practical experience doing the kind of work you will do when you graduate.
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Write for the law journal. Many employers respect a student that worked on a school's law journal, especially if they're published. If your school has an international law journal, try to get on the staff or submit a note for publication.
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Get a summer job. Every summer during law school should be spent doing law-related work. Ideally, your job will be related to international law in some way. Many lawyers' first job out of school comes from an organization for which they worked at some point during law school.
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Tips & Warnings
You never know where that job offer will come from, or which contact will give you the heads up on a great opportunity. Networking is important. Send out lots of resumes every year.
