Whittier Law Students Explore All Facets of International Law Through Center and Certificate Program
by Erica Winter
Stevens and third-year student, John Cayangyang, are currently working towards their certificates in international law at Whittier. They have a myriad of opportunities to develop their educated opinions by availing themselves of a wide range of international programs there, all housed under Whittier's Center for International and Comparative Law (CICL).
A relatively new program, Whittier's international law certificate is generating a lot of student interest. Five certificates were granted to law graduates in 2004, 29 will be given in 2005, and so far 22 are planned for graduates in 2006.
To receive the certificate in international law at Whittier, students must take two base classes (International Law and Comparative Legal Systems), 15 elective credits in the field, and attend at least 12 colloquia run at the CICL. Stevens came to Whittier knowing she wanted to pursue international law. "It was one of the reasons I came here," she says. Stevens' particular area of interest is immigration law. Her work demonstrates that she practices what she preaches.
Last summer, Stevens worked at San Pedro Community Legal Services, a small nonprofit organization that provides services to women who are being abused. Many of the group's clients are Hispanic, and some are not yet citizens.
One problem the women face is being held back from applying for citizenship by abusive husbands, explains Stevens. Under the Violence Against Women Act, however, there is a provision allowing abuse victims to apply for citizenship on their own. Working under the supervision of the group's staff attorney, Stevens spent the summer helping women apply for citizenship.
Contrast her last summer with this summer, and Stevens's philosophy becomes clear. While it is not uncommon for law students interested in immigration issues to work with indigent immigrants, it is unusual for that same law student to then go work for those putting stricter limits on immigration.
This summer, Stevens will go to work for the Department of Homeland Security's office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Los Angeles. In addition to broadening her horizons, working with ICE will give her a clearer picture of what it is like to work for the government, which is one of her career goals, she says.
Still, since Stevens is only in her second year, things could change; and her work at Whittier has given her several options to choose from. Currently, Stevens is a junior member of the Journal of Child and Family Advocacy. She is working on her paper, required to be accepted as a full member, she says, incorporating international law with child welfare issues by examining child trafficking.
Stevens also works as a research assistant to Whittier Professor Michael Bazyler, a Holocaust specialist. Her research for Professor Bazyler has covered many topics, she says, including researching the work of Jewish judges, such as Justice Breyer. Stevens is also helping to publicize Whittier's study-abroad program in Israel and is considering going herself.
John Cayangyang, who has had a lifelong interest in international relations and international law, is a research assistant to Professor Hari Osofsky, Director of the CICL, and aided her work getting the center up and running. Cayangyang helped Osofsky in building up the young center's programs by researching which law firms in the area did international law and helping to find speakers for the center's colloquia.
Cayangyang gave a presentation recently to Whittier's board of trustees on the CICL's progress. "The board is very proud of us," he says; they see that Whittier's "students have been able to reap the benefits of the center."
"I really love every aspect of international law," says Cayangyang, including human rights, international business negotiations, and international peace agreements. He has a particular interest in the intercultural exchange that happens when international negotiations or talks happen on any topic, he says. Cayangyang also went to Spain on a Whittier law program there; it was "one of the best decisions I made in law school," he says.
Cayangyang, who says he "likes to get involved," is on Whittier's moot court honors board. He is the student organizer for Whittier Law's recent hosting of the International Law Weekend—West, and is Editor of Whittier's Law Review Symposia.
Last summer Cayangyang clerked for an administrative law judge with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in San Diego. While there, being able to sit in on dispute resolution hearings was "exhilarating," he says. Now he is concentrating on passing the California Bar Exam and hopes to find a position at a law firm.
Overall, Cayangyang sees great value in Whittier's international law program, the certificate, and the CICL. The center "has progressed tremendously" in its short lifetime, he says, providing Whittier law students with many opportunities to meet leaders in the field and participate in center programs. And, Cayangyang says, having a certificate in international law from Whittier will "mean a lot to me, as a student and as a person."
LawCrossing got me my dream job. I am absolutely satisfied with the service and loved it's beautiful presentation! Ariel
Facts
LawCrossing Fact #80: Users who tailor their job searches (e.g., according to minimum or maximum years of experience) will have an easier time finding jobs they are qualified for than those who don’t.
Facebook comments:
Enjoyed reading this article? Click here to sign up for News Wire, our weekly newsletter, and you'll receive articles just like this right in your inbox.
Enter your email address and start getting breaking law firm and legal news right now!
total jobs
135,162
New Legal Jobs in Last 7 Days
12,663
post your resume
Make your resume viewable to thousands of employers.
