What is the Lawyering Peace Program
The Lawyering Peace Program is a one semester experiential learning program offered to American University students at the Washington College of Law and the School of International Service. The program gives students an opportunity to develop professional skills and substantively engage in peace negotiations, post conflict constitution drafting, and transitional justice planning as young professionals.
During the one semester course, students work on a long term project for a client relating to international law. After the course, students may apply to continue on as a Research Associate for an additional semester or year.
Why should I apply
Lawyering Peace students have the opportunity to engage in international legal work that may directly affect the outcomes of conflicts around the world while still in school. They work with leading experts on peace negotiations, post conflict constitutions, and transitional justice. They also gain hands on experience seeing how legal theory interacts with real world implementation.
What type of work do students typically do
Students research and draft client ready memoranda and legal or policy documents to support alumni working with clients on the ground. Research topics include peace negotiation strategies, post conflict constitution components, and design of transitional justice mechanisms.
Past Research Associates have supported work such as
- Supporting peace negotiations in Burma
- Research related to the Iraqi Constitution
- Constitution drafting support in Egypt
- Civil society process for selecting a new UN Secretary General
- Peace negotiations in Georgia
- Design of federal state structures in Nepal
- Preparation of the Libyan constitution
How many credits do I earn
The program is one six credit semester. Students receive three JD credits and three Masters credits per semester. JD only students count the Masters credits as non classroom credits toward the JD.
What is LAW 980 Advanced International Law and Peace Negotiations
LAW 980 is the academic course component tied to the Lawyering Peace Program. Students must apply and be selected to enter the program before enrolling in the class in the spring semester.