GW Law's International and Comparative Law Program (ICL) hosted its inaugural Women in International Law Speaker Series. The first speaker was Nassim Fussell, LLM '11, Partner at Holland & Knight, a globally known expert in the field of international trade law. Rosa Celorio, the Burnett Family Associate Dean and Distinguished Professorial Lecturer in International and Comparative Law and Policy led the fireside chat discussion with Ms. Fussell.
Dean Celorio, Director of the International and Comparative Law Program, noted, "the goal of this series is to showcase the amazing work women are doing in international law, in positions in which they are shaping and making critical decisions to advance this field. The International and Comparative Law Program wants to promote that more women should join the field of international law and provide a space in which there can be a discussion of what careers look like in this area. This kind of speaker series also promotes equality, inclusion, and diversity in all areas of international law and its practice. The series will offer a platform to women experts and practitioners in the field of international law to inspire, motivate, and continue to influence legal developments, despite existing challenges."
Ms. Fussell centered her remarks on her professional experiences and numerous trade and public policy roles, including serving as Chief International Trade Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and, currently, as a Partner in Holland & Knight's Washington, DC office. She offered many words of wisdom and advice to GW Law students, including the importance of mentoring, networking, concentrations, and LLM degrees in international law. She also highlighted the importance of kindness as an expert and practitioner.
GW Law and the ICL program are incredibly grateful to Nassim Fussell for being the first speaker in this series and for sharing her time, wisdom, and experiences with our community. The ICL program plans to continue hosting other remarkable women in international law in the future. The ICL program is also grateful to the co-sponsors of this event, including the American Society of International Law, the Washington Foreign Law Society, the International Law Society, and the GW Law Association of Women.