LAW-2703 International Legal Practice: Public Interest
This course is designed to bridge theory and practice in the area of public interest international law. The goals of this course are threefold: first, to provide an overview of substantive law relating to international legal practice, specifically in the public interest field; second, to train students in practical skills necessary for international lawyering and advocacy; and, third, to present students with an opportunity to carry out a focused examination of a case study (which may be drawn from their prospective international internships and fieldwork). Throughout, students will critically engage with questions that are central to what it means to practice public interest international law today. To begin, this course will provide an overview of key substantive issues of international human rights law and explore current controversies in the field. The focus of the course will be public-interest international lawyering in the field of human rights, transitional justice, development, and the environment. Moving to practice-related issues, students will work on individual projects associated with a hypothetical case study (or with their internship organization for students pursuing an internship) and develop their fundamental lawyering and advocacy skills, including with regards to international research, oral and written advocacy, interviewing, media advocacy, and cross-cultural lawyering competencies. Faculty comments: This seminar is especially intended as a companion course for students pursuing various public interest international internships and fieldwork, in particular, those associated with the International and Comparative Law and Legal Practice (ICLLP) Fellowship Program. For students not pursuing a for credit international internship, course registration is contingent on a waiver from the Director of Clinical Programs. It is suggested that students take (public) International Law or a human rights related course prior or as a companion course. The ICLLP Fellowship Program offers the opportunity to (i) complete a specialized training course in public interest international legal practice, (ii) undertake an international summer internship working for a public interest organization, and (iii) complete a culminating project growing out of that experience. Accepted students receive a scholarship in connection with the fellowship. For more information on the program, visit: http://www.suffolk.edu/law/academics/experiential- learning/60357.php.The ICLLP Fellowship is open to second-year JD day student applicants, and second and third year JD evening students. The ICLLP Fellowship Application deadline is Dec. 11, 2017. Contact with questions: C. Bustany (cbustany@suffolk.edu). Prerequisite: restricted to students who have or will complete an international internship [386] Course updated: December 12, 2017