International Featured Students and Alumni

Former Stagiaire, European Court of Justice; Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Guam

“I discovered I wanted to be a lawyer while I was in the Peace Corps, where I had the opportunity to do international human rights work with lawyers from across the world. I picked GW because I knew it would give me the chance to make my passion for international work a reality. While at GW Law I worked for international human rights non-profits, the United Nations, and the U.S. State Department. I participated in international competitions, took classes from top international scholars, and met other students who share my passion. Since graduating, I have clerked for the Court of Justice of the European Union, and I am now clerking for the Supreme Court of Guam. Moreover, I have met GW Law graduates everywhere I go. From Luxembourg to Guam, GW Law’s network truly spans the globe. I am thankful every single day for the opportunities GW Law gave me, and for the many opportunities that lay ahead.”

Nathaniel Bolin, JD '03

Partner, Faegre, Drinker, Biddle & Reath

“I am currently a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, where I advise clients in a variety of litigation, policy, and regulatory matters in the areas of export controls, economic sanctions, national security issues, trade agreements, and related areas of international trade law. GW Law provided the perfect platform to pursue my interests in international law. I was able to study trade and international law from some of the world’s leading scholars. It was that experience that launched me down the path I am currently pursuing, and I will always be grateful for the guidance and mentorship I received from the law school.”

Attorney-Adviser, Office of Legal Adviser, Professorial Lecturer in Law

“I chose GW Law because of the strength of its international law program, and it far exceeded my expectations. The breadth of courses for comparative and international law was incredible, and each was taught by a professor or practitioner at the top of the field. Outside of the classroom, the school connected me to organizations, competitions, and internships that prepared me for a career in international law. Most important for me, the program’s investment in me didn’t stop at graduation—professors who cultivated my interests during school continued to mentor and help my career years after graduation.”

Former International Court of Justice Fellow; Former Fellow and Associate Legal Officer, International Court of Justice

"I was attracted to GW Law due to the strength of its international law program. During my time at GW, I had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of courses in public international law and learn from the leading practitioners in the field. Its unique location in the heart of Washington DC positioned me to work at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency of the World Bank Group while completing my LLM. This in-class and out-of-class practical exposure prepared me for the ICJ clerkship, where I have had the opportunity to work on cases that involve the most pressing issues in public international law. As the first Sri Lankan to clerk at the International Court of Justice, I am grateful to GW Law for the nomination to the Court, and I hope that I will be able to contribute to the development of international law in my home country."

Ayşe Güzel Öztürk, LLM 2020

International Court of Justice Fellow, World Bank Consultant

“The strength of the international law program and the location of the school prompted me to pursue an LLM at GW Law in the first place. Indeed, the faculty members in the ICL program served as invaluable mentors to me in enhancing my understanding of public international law and international human rights law. GW Law, located in the heart of DC, helped me to develop strong links with international organizations and maximized my exposure to the actual practice of international law. Thanks to its Field Placement Program, I had the opportunity to work as a legal intern at the World Bank Legal Vice Presidency. The experience I garnered at GW Law and the continuous support of its faculty were essential for my selection to the ICJ Judicial Fellows Programme.”

Wilson Fellow, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

“I realized that I wanted to become a human rights lawyer during my freshman year of undergraduate studies after I interned at a domestic violence police station in Brazil. I chose GW Law because of its strong international law curriculum, the GW-Oxford International Human Rights Law Study Abroad Program, and the potential externship opportunities due to the campus' close proximity to nonprofits, international and regional organizations. During my time at GW, the International and Comparative Law program was instrumental in helping me forge my path as a human rights lawyer. The program provided me with incredible opportunities, such as connecting me to human rights externships and selecting me for GW’s first Human Rights Fact-Finding trip to Belize. While at GW, I was able to intern at CEJIL, RFK Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the Tahirih Justice Center. All these experiences along with an incredible mentorship have provided me with a great foundation for a career in the human rights field and enabled me to secure a fully-funded post-grad human rights fellowship at RFK Human Rights. As I embark on this new journey, I am certain that the ICL program will continue to support me for years to come.”

World Bank Consultant, Women, Business, and the Law, Professional Lecturer in Law

"One specific goal led me to apply to law school – advocating for women’s economic rights in Africa. GW Law undoubtedly equipped me to tackle this task head-on. The wide array of international and comparative law courses laid the foundation for legal frameworks under which I would later operate. The law school’s strategic location provided easy access to some of the world’s most prestigious international organizations. Following multiple externships, I finally joined The World Bank's Women, Business, and the Law team to research and analyze legal restrictions to women’s employment and entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa. After traveling on the continent, conducting workshops with civil society organizations, and meeting with government officials to discuss the importance of women’s economic empowerment, I could not be more grateful to the institution for preparing me to do this work."

Former International Court of Justice Fellow, Researcher and Assistant Lecturer in International Law, University of Vienna

"My year at GW Law not only provided me with in-depth knowledge of the American legal system, but also with a new perspective on my field of specialization: international law. At GW Law, I have enjoyed some excellent classes in international law, international arbitration, and U.S. foreign relations law; and met professors and advisors with incredible expertise in their fields who have become real mentors throughout the year and beyond. Living in DC, a hub of so many important legal institutions, was definitely an important part of the learning experience too. From the fascinating ASIL Annual Meeting to events at the World Bank or Embassies – everything was at our doorstep. With my LLM friends, I was even able to attend a hearing at the U.S. Supreme Court and see the Supreme Court justices in action in a case that involved questions of international law. Through the kind and generous support of GW Law, I was also able to move on to a new professional adventure of working as Judicial Fellow for H.E. Judge Abdulqawi A. Yusuf, President of the ICJ in The Hague after graduation and it was a truly inspiring experience. I cherish all the wonderful memories I have from life in DC and the many friends I made at GW both from the US and abroad, whom I am still in touch with to this date."

Research Fellow, Portulans Institute, World Bank Consultant

“It was a dream to study in the US and, especially, doing my LLM at the George Washington University Law School. Excellent International and Comparative Legal Studies program, extracurricular activities, professional events, and supportive services all contributed to my professional growth. Professors at GW Law are truly exceptional and encouraged me to dream big. It was a fantastic experience with endless opportunities. During my LLM, I was able to volunteer at the World Bank events, international conferences, and contribute to research for the UN International Law Commission. These experiences have led to positions with the International Bar Association and Portulans Institute. The LLM experience was a transformative journey, both challenging and empowering, which has equipped me tremendously with my future career steps.”

Former President and Commissioner, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Organization of American States; Technical Secretariat of the Follow-up Mechanism for the Belem do Para Convention

“As a former Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and now working in the Organization of American States as the Technical Secretariat of the Follow-up Mechanism for the Belem do Para Convention, it has been a wonderful experience returning to school. Pursuing studies at GW Law refreshed my views of current global trends in human rights and international law. It also gave me an opportunity to study closely the US perspective on law, its impact on international law, and international human rights. This experience was enriched by the wide exchange of ideas that occurred between a broad and diverse international student body; all of which gave me a global perspective and a fresh approach to new challenges in the international human rights field. Learning is an endless process but learning in GW Law is a gift.”

Stephany Caro Mejia, JD'22

Human Rights Officer, United Nations MINUSCA

"I am currently a Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). I knew that I wanted to be a human rights lawyer when I had the wonderful opportunity to work as an undergraduate research assistant with the University of Ottawa’s Human Rights Clinic. I chose GW Law because of its excellent international law curriculum, impressive faculty, and proximity to key international institutions and NGOs. Thanks to the International and Comparative Law Program (ICL) at GW, I was able to form a strong professional network with students and professors, receive mentoring and guidance, and create a solid foundation of legal knowledge and skills. As a law student, I also completed internships at Human Rights Watch, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Planned Parenthood, all of which allowed me to grow as a human rights lawyer outside of the classroom. All of the opportunities for learning inside and outside the classroom makes GW truly worthwhile and I know that the ICL program will continue to support my classmates and I throughout our careers."

Associate, Sidley Austin, LLP, Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy Group

“I will be joining Sidley Austin, LLP's Global Arbitration, Trade, and Advocacy practice this fall. I would like to specialize in export controls and economic sanctions. While I have focused on these issues from a policy perspective since completing my graduate degree at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service, GW Law's expansive course offerings and international law speaker series helped me hone my knowledge of these fields from a legal perspective."

Human Rights Attorney, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Organization of American States

"I am currently working as a Human Rights Attorney at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. I worked beforehand as a Legal Affairs Consultant for the Organization of American States’ Permanent Council. Before enrolling in the LLM in International and Comparative Law at GW Law, I studied a Bachelor’s in Law at Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas, Venezuela, an LLM in International Business Law at Complutense University of Madrid, and an LLM in International Law at Carlos II University of Madrid. I chose GW Law because it is a prestigious law school that fits perfectly with my career goals. I was looking for an international program that would allow me to understand the American legal system and the differences between common and civil law. As an international lawyer, this was a must for me. At GW Law, I have been able to take courses with recognized Professors in their fields, while sharing the classroom with students from a variety of countries and very different views. GW Law is helping me advance my career growth in international organizations to make a positive impact in people’s lives."

Judge, European Court of Human Rights; Former Member and Vice Chair, UN Human Rights Committee; Law Professor, Heidelberg University, Germany

“I am currently serving a nine-year term as a judge of the European Court of Human Rights and hold the Hengstberger Chair for Public Law, International Law and Human Rights at Heidelberg University - the eldest university in Germany. From 2013-2018 I served on the UN Human Rights Committee as a member and later Vice-Chair. As a GW alumna I am deeply grateful to GW Law for the profound education I received on the theoretical and practical aspects of international and comparative law, and the opportunities it opened for me. Working with Professor Thomas Buergenthal and learning from a former Judge of several international courts during my time as a master student and S.JD candidate was unique. With its established faculty GW Law remains a great place for international law students. In these turbulent times, I hope that my election to the European Court of Human Rights will encourage all law students to amplify their studies and to carry on their engagement for the protection of human rights and the rule of law, both domestically and internationally."

Electoral Specialist, Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation, Organization of American States

"I am currently working as an Electoral Specialist in the Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation at the Organization of American States. I decided to pursue an LLM at GW Law because of the value of its international law program. The quality of the program in comparative and international law is outstanding. Soon after getting into GW Law, I knew it was the right path to become the professional I want to be. In GW Law, I realized the importance of expanding my network, gaining new skills, and having more tools to accomplish a more meaningful impact within my domain of service."