International Law at American University Washington College of Law

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International Law at American University Washington College of Law

American University Washington College of Law's #6 ranked International Law Program.

One of the first truly international programs, the LLM program in International Legal Studies is ranked among the top ten international law LLM programs in the United States and is currently the only program in the United States to offer a dual LLM/MBA degree. A program over 35 years old and still growing, the ILSP was established in 1982 in response to a growing demand for lawyers trained in inte

rnational law. With over 170 students from 53 countries, the International Legal Studies Program at the American University Washington College of Law is one of the most intellectually and culturally diverse programs in the nation. The program incorporates a rich array of international law courses and seminars, experiential learning, and special events which allow our students to interact and network with esteemed faculty, international attorneys, diplomats, business leaders, and policy makers. Our recognized 24 full-time faculty members and 40 adjunct faculty members are leading practitioners in their field. Our diverse faculty have established strong alliances with various international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations such as the World Bank, the World Wildlife Fund, the United Nations, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights, the Inter-American Development Bank and regional organizations such as Central and East European Law Initiative (CEELI).

07/23/2026

What if the whole world was your jurisdiction?
Professor Rebecca Hamilton describes what sets international legal studies at American University Washington College of Law apart. Students dive into the most pressing issues in international law alongside classmates and faculty from every corner of the world. Our students bring real, lived perspective into every discussion, not just theory from a textbook. From the LLM program to the diverse international law curriculum, AUWCL is built for anyone who wants to practice law on a global stage.
To learn more, click the link in our bio.

07/13/2026

🌎 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Nina Chikhladze

"I want to use legal knowledge to advance the public good, promoting accountability, strengthening institutional integrity, and driving systemic reform."

Nina, an LL.M. candidate in International Legal Studies, arrived at AUWCL with experience examining judicial independence and corruption in Georgia's courts and a traineeship at the Council of Europe, where she worked on the ex*****on of European Court of Human Rights judgments. She decided to pursue her LL.M. in Washington DC after she participated in AUWCL's Summer Program on Advanced Studies in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in 2024.

“My experience confirmed that this was the right place for me. I knew I wanted to come back, so AUWCL was the only university I applied to.”

During her LL.M., she served as a judge for the Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project's Moot Court Competitions, volunteered during LJD Week at the World Bank, and took on roles as an Impact Litigation Fellow and Humphrey Program Graduate Assistant. She's also earned the Seymour J. Rubin Endowed Scholarship and a CALI Award for Excellence in Comparative Law.

Inspired by her story? Click the link in our bio to learn more about the LL.M. program today 🎓

06/22/2026

Last week, American University Washington College of Law students wrapped up the first week of the summer course on Transnational Business Law and Regulation, exploring the business law component of the course in the heart of London!

Led by Professor David Snyder, students engaged directly with leading lawyers and legal professionals to learn about international arbitration, cross-border transactions, development investment, and the pathway to practicing law in the UK. And no trip to London is complete without Professor Snyder’s walking tour of the legal sites of the city!

We extend our sincere thanks to our speakers and hosts for sharing their time and expertise, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with practitioners in transnational business law. We would like to specifically thank the London-based lawyers and legal professionals at Freshfields, BCLP, White & Case LLP, The ERBD, and The Law Society. We are grateful for their long-standing support of AUWCL’s Summer in Europe program and their commitment to the next generation of international business lawyers.

Next stop, Brussels!

06/17/2026

Last Friday, American University Washington College of Law students finished the intellectual property portion of the two-week international trade and IP program in Geneva, Switzerland, completing a week of impactful sessions at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Throughout the week, under the guidance of Professor Christine Farley, students explored critical legal and policy issues in intellectual property law. Along the way, they gained valuable insight into the role and operations of WIPO as a key institution in the global IP landscape. Through daily discussions with WIPO attorneys and subject-matter experts, students connected theory with practice, deepened their understanding of complex issues, and explored potential career paths in IP law.

We would like to extend a special thanks to the WIPO Academy and the many lawyers and professionals for their longtime support of this course and to our wonderful participants. Our students brought impressive insight and fully embraced this unique study abroad opportunity.

06/10/2026

The 13th edition of the summer program on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the multilateral system was held last week (June 1-5) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Guided by Professor Padideh Ala’i, students gained deeper insight into the organizational architecture of the WTO, the contemporary issues facing the multilateral trading system, and the WTO’s role in international rule making—right on site at the headquarters of the institution.

We are incredibly grateful to the WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for welcoming our participants to the WTO. We are specifically thankful to Santiago Wills and to Deputy Directors-General Jennifer “DJ” Nordquist, Johanna Hill, and Xiangchen Zhang, as well as the many WTO staff who shared their expertise with our participants.

06/03/2026

On May 21–28, 2026, welcomed Dean Rashad Ibadov of ADA University School of Law, along with faculty colleagues Dr. Aynur Akhundli , Nijat Rasulzade, Tabriz Jafarov, and academic advisor Susan Mammadli, to meet with Professor Padideh Ala’i and AUWCL colleagues in furtherance of our cooperation agreement.

During the visit, ADA University colleagues met with AUWCL faculty and senior staff to discuss LLM programs, law library resources, visiting faculty collaboration, clinical legal education, legal research and writing, and curriculum development, among other areas.

AUWCL leadership and faculty are proud of our collaboration with .university and its law school and look forward to further work together with the goal of improving international legal education and faculty development at both institutions.

06/02/2026

On June 1, 2026 we started our summer program at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva led by Professor Padideh Ala’i. The course that takes place at the WTO as well as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been part of our summer program offerings since 2011.

Today, the participants were privileged to meet with the Director-General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Deputy Director-General of the WTO, Jennifer DJ Nordquist; Director of the General Council and Trade Negotiations Committee Division of the WTO, Santiago Wills; and Counsellor, Council and Trade Negotiations Committee Division of the WTO, Janos Volkai.

Stay tuned for more highlights from this summer program!

05/27/2026

was honored to welcome .university Vice Rectors Elkin Nurmammadov and Gunay Ziyadova to the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, where together with Professor Padideh Ala’i, director of International and Comparative Legal Studies, they met with AU President Jonathan Alger and Provost Vicky Wilkins to celebrate the continued growth of the partnership between the institutions.

This year also marked another milestone for the joint 3+1 Program as five students earned their LL.M. degrees, including four graduates in International Business and Trade Law and one graduate in the International Legal Studies Program with a specialization in Criminal Law.

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort and continuing to create opportunities for future global legal leaders. Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2026!

05/19/2026

🎓Congratulations to the AUWCL LL.M. Class of 2026! From every corner of the world, you came to Washington, DC with a passion for the law. You leave ready to make your mark on it. The next chapter starts now 🌎⚖️

05/18/2026

On May 15, the United Nations International Law Commission adopted the draft articles on Immunity of State Officials from Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction, an effort led by AUWCL Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman. Professor Grossman, who has served as Special Rapporteur on this topic since 2023, is currently assisted in this work by PhD student Joana de Andrade Pacheco and AUWCL Adjunct Professors Lena Raxter and Victoria Ernst. Professor Grossman also guided the AUWCL students participating in his seminar on the International Law Commission, through which they contributed to this important project at various stages of its development.

Read the adopted text here: http://legal.un.org/docs/?symbol=A/CN.4/L.1034

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4300 Nebraska Avenue NW
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Telephone

+12022744000

Website

https://www.wcl.american.edu/international

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