The Spring of 2023 has been full of energy, activity, and enthusiasm in our International and Comparative Law Program. We have hosted numerous events and lectures discussing critical and present International Law concerns, especially in the areas of war crimes and accountability; climate change; the work of international and regional courts; the rights of women and girls; the process of constitution-making; and colonialism, among others. We continue convening major experts and voices in the fields of International and Comparative Law, offering a space for reflection and the finding of solutions to contemporary problems. Our students continue to excel both inside and outside of the classroom, and our alums are still shaping the face of international law today. Many of you have participated in our activities this semester and for that I thank you.  

On a sadder note, we mourn the passing of Professor Thomas Buergenthal. We honor his exceptional life, legacy, and boundless contributions to international law and human rights.

I close by sharing my deep congratulations with our graduates, hoping that they always use their education and talent in the pursuit of peace, dignity, and the well-being of many. I thank you for your continued collaboration with our International and Comparative Law Program.

Rosa Celorio

Burnett Family Associate Dean of International and Comparative Legal Studies and Distinguished Professorial Lecturer in International and Comparative Law and Policy

William S. Dodge to Join GW Law Faculty

Professor William S. Dodge will be joining GW Law’s faculty in August 2024. He will teach International Litigation and Arbitration, International Business Transactions, and Contracts, among other subjects. He will join GW Law after teaching at the University of California (Davis and Hastings) for 29 years. Professor Dodge serves as a Reporter for the American Law Institute’s Restatement (Fourth) of U.S. Foreign Relations Law and a member of the State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Law. From 2011 to 2012, he served as Counselor on International Law to the Legal Adviser at the State Department. Professor Dodge is a co-author of Transnational Litigation in a Nutshell (2d ed. 2021) and a co-author of Transnational Business Transactions (6th ed. 2019). His articles have appeared in the Columbia Law Review, the Duke Law Journal, the Harvard Law Review, the Michigan Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal, among other journals. More information can be found here.

Professor Sean D. Murphy Appointed to Chair Court of Arbitration in Case by Pakistan Against India and Presides over Hearing

Professor Murphy was appointed by the President of the World Bank to serve as the Chairman of a Court of Arbitration in a case filed by Pakistan against India. The case concerns whether the design features of two Indian hydroelectric power plants, which sit upstream from waters that flow into Pakistan, are inconsistent with the terms of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty between the two countries. The Indus Waters Treaty allows disputes to be resolved before a seven-arbitrator Court of Arbitration. Of the appointment, Professor Murphy said “it is a great honor to be selected to serve as Chair of the Court of Arbitration. I expect the Court to address the matters at hand fairly, carefully, and in strict compliance with the rights and obligations undertaken by the Parties when ratifying the Indus Waters Treaty.” The full news story on his appointment can be found here. In May, Professor Murphy presided as Chairman over a hearing in The Hague before an ad hoc Court of Arbitration (PCA Case No. 2023-01). This case is still pending.

Professor Sean D. Murphy Represents Armenia before the ICJ

In January 2023, Professor Murphy argued in oral proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, on behalf of the Republic of Armenia. The proceedings involved two cases between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, in which each side is asking for interim measures of protection from the Court. The Court issued its decisions on February 22nd, granting Armenia's request that Azerbaijan "take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor," through which supplies pass from Armenia to ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The full news story can be found here.

Dean Rosa Celorio is Appointed to Executive Council of the American Society of International Law

Dean Celorio was elected to serve in the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law during ASIL’s annual meeting on Friday, March 31st, 2023.  She will be serving in this capacity for a three-year term.  She just concluded her two-year work as Chair of the Membership Committee of ASIL. The American Society of International Law is the foremost institution in the United States dedicated to the advancement and study of international law. Dean Celorio said about her appointment, “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve in the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law.  ASIL has a critical role in convening major actors in the area of international law and in promoting the discussion of priority issues. As a member of the Executive Council, I will continue supporting ASIL in the identification of creative and innovative ways to address priority issues in international law and in the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion as guiding goals in all of its initiatives. I also look forward to supporting ASIL in building continued excitement and interest over international law, as these are very challenging times.” Dean Celorio’s appointment is evidence of the law school’s wonderful work in this area and will expose our students to many opportunities and discussions in this field.

Professor Paulina Vera Named President-Elect of Hispanic Bar Association of DC

In January 2023, Paulina Vera, Professorial Lecturer in Law and GW Law Immigration Clinic supervisor, was named President-Elect of the Hispanic Bar Association of Washington, DC. Of this appointment she said, "I found a home in [the] Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia when I was a 1L at GW Law. Over the last decade, HBA-DC has given me so much - mentors, mentees, lifelong friends, community, scholarships, guidance, and the Rising Star Award, just to name a few. It is the honor of a lifetime for me to lead an organization that has given me so much."  In addition to being the President-Elect of the Hispanic Bar Association of DC (HBA-DC), Professor Vera is a scholar for the American Bar Association (ABA) YLD Leadership Academy, and a member of the inaugural Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) National Task Force on Hispanic Law Professors and Deans. She is a GW Law alum (JD ’15) and she serves as the Public Relations Director for the GW Latino Law Alumni Association (LLAA).

Professor Sean D. Murphy Briefs U.N. Delegates on a Possible Convention on Crimes Against Humanity

In April 2023, Professor Murphy briefed representatives of Missions to the United Nations in New York on “opportunities for convergence on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.” The briefing was in anticipation of a resumed session of the U.N. General Assembly’s Sixth (Legal) Committee in April to discuss whether to move forward with the negotiation of a Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity, based on draft articles completed by the U.N. International Law Commission in 2019. The full news story can be found here.

Professor Leah Calabro Presents Research for Washington Kurdish Institute

In April 2023, the Washington Kurdish Institute organized a webinar for Professor Calabro to present her research on the viability of various avenues for justice for the Yazidi women victims of the Islamic State. She presented her work to a select group of people doing work and research related to the Yazidi population from around the world and was able to engage in a discussion and receive feedback on her research proposals, particularly her proposal of using the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal as a model for achieving interim justice. Professor Calabro will be teaching a seminar on victims’ rights in addition to international criminal law during the Fall 2023 semester.

Professor Donald Clarke Testifies before U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

On May 4th, 2023, Professor Donald Clarke testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission at their hearing on “Rule by Law: China’s Increasingly Global Legal Reach.” He testified about recent research he has conducted on how U.S. courts assess the Chinese legal system. A link to the video and written testimony can be found here.

Professor Karen Brown Lectures in Portugal and the Netherlands

Professor Karen Brown presented her paper entitled “Placing the First Last: Reparation through International Tax Reform” in Coimbre, Portugal at the Taxation of Income and Consumption Conference which took place April 10-13th, 2023 and was sponsored by Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Professor Brown will present her paper on “Repairing International Tax Reform” at the University of Leiden, in the Netherlands. The theme of the invitation-only conference, which takes place June 26-30th, 2023, and is sponsored by the Lorenz Center is “Redefining Global Governance: a Tax, Trade, and Investment Perspective from the EU and Beyond.”

GW Law Honors International Law Career and Memoirs of Judge Charles N. Brower

On April 13th, 2023, the ICL Program hosted a book launch and discussion with The Honorable Charles N. Brower on his recently published book, Judging Iran: A Memoir of the Hague, the White House, and Life on the Front Line of International Justice.  The book discusses the extraordinary and lengthy international law career of Judge Charles Brower, including many high-profile positions in law firms and public service.  Professor Sean Murphy moderated the wonderful conversation with Judge Brower, during which he discussed aspects of his book and spoke of his early career experiences.  Associate Dean Celorio provided welcome remarks. Judge Brower closed the conversation with words of advice for the students in the room, which was followed by a book signing. The ICL program is grateful to Judge Brower for his ongoing support of the ICL program; for offering many opportunities to our students; and for advising several of our SJD students.  Judge Brower has served as Distinguished Visiting Research Professor of Law at GW Law School, as well as Professional Lecturer in Law.  He is one of most influential jurists of our time. A video of Professor Murphy and Judge Brower’s conversation can be found here.

Professor Murphy Receives Honorary Degree from the University of Prishtina

On May 16, 2023, the University of Prishtina in Kosovo conveyed an honorary degree upon Professor Sean D. Murphy. The degree of Doctor Honoris Causa was awarded for “the advancement of peace and justice through international law, including in relation to the International Court of Justice’s Opinion on Kosovo.” Professor Murphy represented Kosovo in 2008-2010 before the International Court of Justice for a proceeding in which Serbia sought to challenge the legality of Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence. After receiving the written and oral views of Kosovo, Serbia, and some thirty other States, the Court concluded that the declaration did not violate international law. Kosovo today is recognized as a State by more than 100 nations, including the United States, and has been admitted to several international organizations, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Some nations, however, such as Serbia and Russia do not recognize Kosovo. “I was delighted to return to Kosovo for this ceremony,” said Murphy. “Not only was it a great honor to receive this degree, but it was a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and to learn how much progress Kosovo has made as an independent State.” In addition to the degree ceremony at the University of Prishtina, which was attended by faculty, students and staff, Professor Murphy met with the University’s Rector, the Dean of its Law School, Kosovo’s President, and Kosovo’s Prime Minister.

GW Law Formalizes Collaboration Agreement with the University of Salvador Law School in Buenos Aires, Argentina

This new agreement recognizes the ongoing collaboration that GW Law School and the University of Salvador Law School have had for more than a decade. In the framework of this collaboration, a significant number of Faculty and Deans at GW Law School have visited the University of Salvador during the summer to offer lectures on different areas of the law and participate in a variety of educational activities, and USAL Faculty and Deans have visited GW Law School during the Spring to partake in these opportunities. This collaboration has been possible due to the leadership of GW Law Professor Robert Cottrol. The relationship with USAL throughout the years has been productive and collaborative, and this agreement recognizes our intention to continue collaborating with this institution.  This agreement also includes the possibility to host visiting scholars, and for our GW Law students to join USAL for a one-semester exchange and for USAL students to join GW Law School for a one-semester exchange.

Professor Arturo Carrillo Publishes Article on ICT Companies and Armed Conflict

Associate Dean Rosa Celorio publishes article on Climate Change, Human Rights, and International Litigation

Dean Celorio just published the article - The Kaleidoscope of Climate Change and Human Rights: The Promise of International Litigation for Women, Indigenous Peoples, and Children – in the Spring 2023 volume of the Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy.  The article discusses international case litigation before human rights courts and other international bodies as a key strategy to set critical legal standards to address human rights violations suffered by women, Indigenous peoples, and children in the area of climate change. She analyzes cases currently before the European Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, among others.  You can find her article here.

Professor Steve Charnovitz Publishes Book Chapter on WTO Reform

Professor Charnovitz authored a chapter entitled “Reforming the WTO To Better Promote Social Justice” in the book Social Justice and the World of Work, which was published in February 2023.

Professor Donald Clarke Publishes Article on the Chinese Legal System in U.S. Courts

Professor Clarke published his most recent article entitled “Judging China: The Chinese Legal System in U.S. Courts,” in volume 44 of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law (no. 3, 2023).

Professor Renée Lettow Lerner Publishes New Book on Juries

Professor Lerner recently published a new book with Oxford University Press entitled The Jury: A Very Short Introduction. This book charts juries from antiquity through the English-speaking world and beyond to modern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.  Professor Lerner describes the benefits and challenges of using juries, including jury nullification.  She considers how innovations from non-English-speaking countries may be key to the survival of citizen participation in the legal system. The book can be found here.

Professors Sean D. Murphy and Edward Swaine Publish Treatise on U.S. Foreign Relations Law

Professors Murphy and Swaine have published their treatise entitled The Law of U.S. Foreign Relations with Oxford University Press. This book offers a comprehensive overview and analysis of the rules that govern the conduct of U.S. relations with foreign countries and international organizations as well as an analysis of the rules governing how international law applies within the U.S. legal system. The book can be found here.

Professor Dinah Shelton and Dean Rosa Celorio Publish Casebook on Human Rights

The seventh edition of International Human Rights: Problems of Law, Policy, and Practice was released this Spring of 2023 by Aspen Publishers.  This casebook discusses foundational features of the international human rights law system and highlights modern issues of concern, including racial discrimination, violence against women, the rights of Indigenous peoples, armed conflicts, barriers to access health care, and the problems of environmental degradation and climate change.  The casebook emphasizes practical issues which influence the application, implementation, and development of human rights law.  The casebook was co-authored by GW Law Professor Dinah Shelton; Professor and Former Dean S. James Anaya; Professor Hurst Hannum; and Dean Celorio. This casebook can be accessed here.

Gabriella Gebremedhin Selected for International Court of Justice Fellowship

Gabriella Gebremedhin, LLM ‘23, has been selected to participate in the Judicial Fellows Programme at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations with headquarters in The Hague. She will serve as a law clerk for the International Court of Justice during the 2023-24 year. Of being selected, Ms. Gebremedhin said “I am truly honored to be selected to participate in the ICJ’s Judicial Fellowship Programme. This opportunity will give me invaluable exposure to learn from the members of the Court about the workings of an institution which has made immense contributions towards the interpretation and understanding of international law.” The link to the full press release can be found here. This will be the fourth time in the past six years that an ICL Program nominee has been selected to serve as a fellow. Ayşe Güzel Öztürk, LLM ‘20, served during the 2020-21 academic year, Nayomi Goonesekere, LLM '19, served during the 2019-20 academic year, and Sara Mansour Fallah, LLM '18, served during the 2018-19 academic year.

Meredith Gusky Selected as First Recipient of Joe Brand Human Rights Fellowship

Human Rights First and the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation launched the Joe Brand Human Rights Fellowship in March 2023. Meredith Gusky, a 3L at GW Law, has been selected as the first recipient of this fellowship. As the Joe Brand Fellow, Gusky will work closely with Licha Nyiendo at Human Rights First to advance the organization’s efforts in impact litigation. Ms. Gusky previously served as a legal intern at Human Rights First, working with the global accountability team in 2022. The full press release can be found here.

Alum Ryan Migeed Clerks for European Court of Justice

Ryan R. Migeed, JD '22, was selected as a stagiaire for the Court of Justice of the European Union through the U.S. State Department's Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program. Designed to foster mutual understanding between the United States and the European Union in the area of law, the program is organized through the United States Embassy in Luxembourg and offers graduates of U.S. law schools the opportunity to intern for a Judge at the Court of Justice, with an Advocate General of the Court of Justice, or with a Judge of the General Court.

Ryan has served in the Cabinet of Judge Ulf Öberg on the General Court of the European Court of Justice from March to May this spring. The General Court hears cases on a range of issues including trademark, competition (antitrust), trade, and sanctions law. Ryan took a leave of absence from his law firm, Morris, Manning & Martin LLP, where he currently works as an Associate in the International Trade practice, to serve in the Dean Acheson Program.

Sylvie Bissaloue Selected to Serve as Consultant for The Integrity Vice Presidency at the World Bank

The Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) is an independent unit within the World Bank Group that has the unique function of investigating and pursuing sanctions related to allegations of fraud and corruption in Bank Group-financed activities. As an integral part of the Bank Group’s overall Governance and Anti-corruption Strategy, INT also works closely with other World Bank units and external stakeholders to prevent and mitigate corruption risks through advice, training, and outreach efforts. Sylvie Bissaloue, LLM ’23, will be serving as a short-term consultant for INT during the summer of 2023 assisting with a number of its research and outreach initiatives,

including support to the next biennial meeting of the ICHA. Ms. Bissaloue is originally from Benin, and she is working towards earning an LLM Degree in International and Comparative Law.

Razi Hashmi to Serve as Deputy Director of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. State Department

Razi Hashmi, JD '25, was recently promoted to serve as the Deputy Director of Near Eastern Affairs within the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and the Labor (DRL) at the US Department of State. In this role, he will oversee policy and staff covering human rights issues in the Middle East and North Africa. Recently, Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken released the 2022 Human Rights Report, a product of Mr. Hashmi’s bureau that covers human rights violations in 198 countries. Watch the press briefing here and read the report here. Read the full news story on Mr. Hashmi’s promotion here. Mr. Hashmi is working towards earning his JD degree as a part-time student with a Concentration in International and Comparative Law.

Jessup Moot Court Team Excels at World Championships

Holden Fitzgerald, Alan Harrison, Gabrielle Lysko, and Nicole Thurn represented GW at the 2023 Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, the world’s largest moot court competition. In February, the team finished runner-up at the largest U.S. regional and won awards for 3rd Best Brief, 1st Best Oral Advocate (Alan), and 5th Best Oral Advocate (Holden). This qualified them to represent the United States at the International Rounds to compete against the best 140 teams from over 80 countries. In April, the GW team advanced to the Octo-Finals (Sweet 16) and matched Yale as the best U.S. finishers. This surpasses GW’s best result in the competition’s 63-year history when last year's team advanced to the Round of 32. The team was coached by Trent Buatte, Professorial Lecturer in Law and Attorney-Adviser at the U.S. Department of State. Congratulations to the team on months of hard work and well-deserved success!

GW Law Students Support the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

A group of LLM and JD students supervised by the ICL program completed research in support of the work of the Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.  The team was comprised of the following LLM and JD students: Marielba Galban, LLM ‘23, Sandra Ramirez, LLM ‘23, Manuel Reyes, LLM ‘23, Sabrina Rodriguez, JD ‘23, and Berta Mariana Silva, LLM ‘02. The students were supervised by Associate Dean Rosa Celorio and Professor Leah Calabro. Their research was included in the 2022 Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur, which provides a detailed overview of the economic, social, cultural, and environmental challenges facing the Americas.  The ICL program is grateful to Rapporteur Soledad García Muñoz, Daniel Noroña, and Janina Heller, JD ‘20, for offering this opportunity to our students.

GW Law Students Speak on International Arbitration Career Panel

On April 21, 2023, Sushant Mahajan, LLM ‘23, and Andrew Nettles, JD ‘25, spoke as panelists for a webinar hosted by the DC Bar entitled “Careers in International Arbitration.”

Sushant Mahajan and Anisa Ostad Publish International Arbitration Blog Post

Sushant Mahajan, LLM ‘23, and Anisa Ostad, JD ‘24, recently posted a blog post entitled “Studying International Investment Treaties and Investor-State Disputes through a Central Asian Lens” in the Kluwer Arbitration Blog. The blog post describes in detail the conversations that took place at an event the ICL Program co-hosted with GW Law’s International Arbitration Student Association this semester entitled “Hot Topics in Investor-State Disputes in Central Asia” (more information below). The blog post can be found here.

Professor Leah Calabro presented her research on the viability of various avenues for justice for the Yazidi women victims of the Islamic State several times this semester. First, in January 2023 as part of the Junior International Law Scholars Association Annual Meeting at Boston University. Then in March at an ICL Program-hosted event dedicated to the presentation of her work in progress open to students, faculty, and the public. In April, Professor Calabro presented her work at the GW Law Fellows Workshop with Professor Sean D. Murphy offering commentary. Also in April, the Washington Kurdish Institute organized a webinar for her to present her work to selected people doing work and research related to the Yazidi population from around the world and to engage in a discussion and receive feedback on her research proposals. Professor Calabro was asked to offer a mentoring session at the ASIL Annual Meeting in March. She also served as a Judge for the Jessup Moot Court Competition’s D.C. regional round in February.

Dean Celorio was recently elected to serve in the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law. She was also invited by the World Health Organization to serve in its Global Advisory Committee on Maternal Health. She recently released the following publications: International Human Rights: Problems of Law, Policy and Practice, issued this Spring of 2023 by Aspen Publishers (co-authored with Dinah Shelton, Hurst Hannum, and S. James Anaya). She also published the article The Kaleidoscope of Climate Change and Human Rights: The Promise of International Litigation for Women, Indigenous Peoples, and Children in 13 ARIZ. J. ENVTL. L. & POL’Y 155 (Spring 2023).

In January 2023, Professor Murphy argued before the International Court of Justice in The Hague cases between Armenia and Azerbaijan concerning requests by both countries for provisional measures of protection. In March, he delivered the keynote address, entitled “Durability, Flexibility, and Plasticity in the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea,” for a conference at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. In April, Professor Murphy briefed representatives of Missions to the United Nations in New York about the possible negotiation of a Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity, based on draft articles completed by the U.N. International Law Commission in 2019, for which Professor Murphy served as special rapporteur. In May, Professor Murphy presided over a hearing in The Hague before an ad hoc Court of Arbitration in a case brought by Pakistan against India pursuant to the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (PCA Case No. 2023-01). Also in May, the University of Prishtina in Kosovo conferred the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa upon Professor Murphy.

Fireside Chat with Ambassador Beth Van Schaack

On February 3rd, 2023, GW Law's National Security, Cybersecurity, & Foreign Relations Law and International and Comparative Law Programs hosted a fireside chat with the U.S. Ambassador for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack, the first woman confirmed in this position. This event, entitled “The Biden Administration Approach to International Criminal Justice,” offered GW Law students, faculty, and staff a glimpse into Ambassador Van Schaack's responsibilities, U.S. policy toward accountability for atrocities in Ukraine, and international criminal justice initiatives. Professor Laura Dickinson moderated the discussion. The full news article can be found here. The recording of this event can be found here.

Brand-Manatt Lecture with Professor Philippe Sands

On April 17th, 2023, the ICL Program hosted its 2023 Brand-Manatt Lecture given by Philippe Sands, Professor of the Public Understanding of Law at University College London. The lecture was entitled "The Last Colony – Law and Decolonization, from Chagos to Ukraine." GW Law Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew offered welcome remarks, Professor Ralph G. Steinhardt offered remarks to honor the late Joseph Brand, and Professor Sean D. Murphy introduced Professor Sands. The lecture was largely focused on Professor Sands’ recently published book, The Last Colony: A Tale of Exile, Justice, and Britain’s Colonial Legacy, with the additional insight of what the war in Ukraine means as far as the world’s historically colonial powers are concerned. A video of this event can be found here.

The Case of Brisa de Angulo Losada: Justice for Adolescent Sexual Violence Survivors in the Americas

On February 16th, 2023, Equality Now and GW's International and Comparative Law Program hosted a conversation with Brisa de Angulo and her lawyers about the recent ruling of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in her case against Bolivia. The ruling of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights is one of the first to thoroughly address the dire situation of adolescent girls in the Americas and the alarming problem of sexual violence.  The judgment is historic in advancing a legal standard of reinforced due diligence in cases of violence against girls and their treatment by the administration of justice, and in establishing that consent should be the central aspect in legislation to address this alarming issue.  GW Law Professorial Lecturers in Law Barbara Jimenez, Alyssa Johnson, and Shayda Vance, as well as Associate Dean Celorio, were legal advisors in the team which successfully litigated this case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. More information on her case can be found here. The recording of this event can be found here.

Hot Topics in Investor-State Disputes in Central Asia

On February 21st, 2023, the ICL Program hosted a discussion of the recently published book, International Investment Law and Investor-State Disputes in Central Asia: Emerging Issues, edited by GW Law Professor Kiran Nasir Gore, Elijah Putilin, Kabir A.N. Duggal, & Crina Baltag (Wolters Kluwer, 2023). This panel discussion was focused on how the experiences of the five Central Asian States – Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – present a unique and rich, yet often overlooked, case study for emerging issues in this field. The speakers included Diora Ziyaeva, Stanimir Alexandrov, David Attanassio, and Henry Defriez, and was moderated by Professor Kiran Gore.

International Law Practitioners Networking Event

On March 2nd, 2023, the ICL Program hosted a networking event for the students to meet practitioners in various practice areas of international law. We were joined by various adjunct professors, GW Law alumni and other attorneys who practice international law for law firms, the U.S. Government, and more. Professors Trent Buatte, U.S. State Department; Alberto Cid, Inter-American Development Bank; Michael Coffee, U.S. Department of Justice; Melissa Kucinski, MK Family Law, PLLC; Katherine Nesbitt, U.S. Department of Justice; and Shayda Vance, Hughes Hubbard & Reed; as well as alumni Taylor Kilpatrick, American Society of International Law; and Mariam Anaïs Gnakra, The World Bank Group; and Ricardo Chirinos, Covington & Burling LLP, were all in attendance to speak with our students. The ICL program greatly thanks all of these expert practitioners for dedicating their time and sharing their wisdom and career experiences with our students.

Finding Justice for the Yazidi Women Victims of the Islamic State

On March 20th, 2023, the ICL Program hosted a research presentation given by Visiting Associate Professor and Fellow Leah Calabro. Professor Calabro presented her research on the viability of various avenues for justice for the Yazidi women victims of the Islamic State. In particular, she discussed the potential of using the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal as a model for achieving interim justice. The recording of this event can be found here.

Climate Change Cross-border Migration and the Biden Administration: What the Future Holds?

On March 22nd, 2023, the Environmental and Energy Program and the ICL program hosted a virtual lecture offered by Associate Professor Chhaya Bhardwaj based on the Biden administration's “Report on the Impact of Climate Change on Migration, 2021." Professor Bhardwaj contextualized this report in relation to cross-border migration induced by climate change. She discussed how there are existing domestic laws in the U.S. to protect immigrants fleeing climate change and environmental disasters in their country of origin. The Report, however, aims at guiding future domestic mechanisms to protect immigrants fleeing climate change under Executive Order (EO) 14013. Professor Bhardwaj discussed how today, U.S. domestic laws fail to protect people of all nationalities fleeing environmental difficulties and how the existing U.S. Immigration Law sets forth Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian visas that may be applied to protect such cross-border migrants. However, these laws have not been applied equally to vulnerable global communities. The recording of this event can be found here.

Originalism, Traditionalism and Common Good Constitutionalism: Three Versions of Identitarian Constitutionalism

On April 3rd, 2023, the ICL Program hosted a lecture given by Professor Massimo Fichera entitled “Originalism, Traditionalism and Common Good Constitutionalism: Three Versions of Identitarian Constitutionalism.” Massimo Fichera is a Senior Research Fellow at the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS), in connection with the Faculty of Law, University of Turku. His research and teaching interests lie in the area of constitutional and legal theory and EU constitutionalism, in particular the interplay between legal systems. He is also interested—from a legal theoretical perspective—in the notion of transnational law and comparative constitutional law. Professor Francesca Bignami moderated the event. The recording of this event can be found here.

Banning Asylum as an ‘Emergency Measure’

On April 4th, 2023, the ICL Program hosted an immigration law event discussing whether President Biden’s proposed rules on immigration matters were just a continuation of Trump-Era immigration policies. Wintana Yohannes, JD 2023, and Jeremy Reiner, JD 2024, led the presentation, which was moderated by Professor Alberto Benitez. The recording of this event can be found here.

GW Law Fellows Workshop

On April 12th, 2023, the law school hosted its inaugural Fellows Workshop for the fellows from the various programs to present their ongoing research and receive commentary and feedback. The Government and Procurement Law Fellow, the Environmental Law Fellow, the Frank H. Marks Fellow in Intellectual Property Law, the Entrepreneurship Law Fellow, and the National Security Law Fellow, as well as the ICL Program’s Fellow, Professor Leah Calabro, all presented their current research projects. Professor Calabro presented her work on finding justice for the Yazidi women victims of the Islamic State and Professor Sean D. Murphy served as the commentator on Professor Calabro’s work. Professor Calabro will be taking over the planning of the Workshop for next year from Professor Barbara Lauriat, the Frank H. Marks IP Fellow, who was instrumental in organizing this year’s workshop.

The International and Comparative Law (ICL) Program currently offers the following degrees and concentrations:

• JD Concentration in International and Comparative Law
• JD Concentration in International Business Law
• LLM in International and Comparative Law
• LLM Concentration in International Human Rights
• LLM Concentration in International Arbitration

For more information on these degrees, concentrations, and other activities and work of the ICL program, you can contact Associate Dean Rosa Celorio at Rcelorio@law.gwu.edu.

Thank you for your continued interest and collaboration!