ASIL International Law Fellows (ILF) Public Notice and Call for Applications

About ASIL: The American Society of International Law (ASIL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational membership organization founded in 1906 and chartered by Congress in 1950. ASIL holds Category II Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies. The Society is headquartered at Tillar House in Washington, D.C. The mission of ASIL is to foster the study of international law and to promote the establishment and maintenance of international relations on the basis of law and justice.

Purpose: The International Law Fellowship (ILF) Program is intended to provide young legal professionals with the opportunity to gain additional skills in international legal research, including program design, syllabi and course development, and research and editorial support for ASIL’s publications; legal education program management, including CLE, public awareness, and public policy activities; and event planning, including speaker selection and coordination, outreach, and venue logistics. ILFs will also gain insight into the operation of a major international non-governmental organization, including elements of organizational structure, administration, and management. ILFs will work with their supervisory staff to identify and pursue areas of the ILF’s professional development that can be enhanced while working at Tillar House. ILFs will have the opportunity to select and attend various internationally-themed events in the active DC international community. ILFs are eligible for a one-time, $2,500 relocation stipend, but the position is unpaid. Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify and obtain alternative sources of funding.

Duration: ILF positions are open for six (6) month placements. ILFs start in January, April, July, or October.

Responsibilities: ILFs work under the direct supervision of ASIL’s Director of Education and Research (DER) and are responsible for implementing a number of the Society's research, education, and outreach programs. Specific assignments will be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the strengths of the ILF and the needs of the Society. Past ILF projects have included development and implementation of continuing legal education programs; support for ASIL’s judicial outreach program; developing new website resources to support ASIL Academic Partners; and general research and editorial support for ASIL publications, including ASIL Insights, International Law in Brief, the American Journal of International Law, International Legal Materials, ASIL Studies in Transnational Legal Policy, and the ASIL Discussion Paper series.

Qualifications: Successful applicants will have obtained a graduate degree in law (J.D. or LL.M.) prior to the start of the fellowship, evidence strong writing and editorial skills, show experience working in a professional environment and on program implementation, and have a demonstrated interest in international law. Experience working on a journal and coursework or work experience in international law is strongly preferred. ILF positions require the ability, initiative, and judgment to work independently and to successfully implement projects from beginning to end.

Application Requirements: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, unedited writing sample (excerpt not to exceed 10 pages), and two (2) letters of recommendation (scanned copies of signed letters) to jobs@asil.org with “Law Fellow” in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants should be sure to include their desired start date and current location in their application materials.

Course offered to develop research skills in international and foreign law

The following course is offered to assist students in developing the skills required to research topics in international and foreign law.  This course may also be of interest to Jessup participants, TLCP members, and students associated with the Human Rights Center.

91:285 (LAW:8513)
Foreign, Comparative and International Legal Research 
2 s.h. (Skills)
The Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Advanced Legal Research course (FCIL-ALR) will familiarize students with treaty research, locating and identifying documents from international organizations and tribunals, and legal research in selected jurisdictions outside the United States. A variety of print and electronic sources and research methods in foreign and international law will be used. Each week at least fifty percent of each class will be devoted to library- and/or computer-based research exercises supervised by the instructor. Each student will be required to complete two research guides, one on a foreign law topic, and one on an international law topic. For each research guide students will select and evaluate relevant sources, and propose and explain a research strategy for someone unfamiliar with the topics. Students’ grades are based to a large extent on classroom attendance and participation. A final exam will be given as well. No prerequisites. Offered Pass/Fail.