International Law Job Description

United States

'In simple language, international laws are basically set of rules that are followed by countries while dealing with each other. These laws impose upon the countries certain rules with respect to individuals. The highest judicial authority of international law is the International Court of Justice and the administrative authority is the United Nations. The United Nations is the most influential among international organizations which aims at maintaining peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and achieving international cooperation in solving international problems. The Court plays dual role by settling legal disputes which the states put forward in accordance with international law and also advise on questions referred to it by duly authorized international organs and agencies.

International law attorneys have an understanding of the procedures and substantive laws in different countries. A strong multidisciplinary program as an undergraduate is recommended: English, foreign languages, economics, history, government, philosophy, mathematics, public speaking and computer science. Moreover, an international law attorney can prove to be highly helpful in prosecuting or defending litigation and arbitration cases in courts and tribunals not only in U.S but around the world.

Here are a few sample international law job descriptions:

International Law


Seeking a Tax And International Law Associate with 2-4 years of relevant experience in international tax planning and consulting with a law firm or with the tax department of an international accounting firm. Applicants should possess an LL.M. in Taxation or be licensed as a certified public accountant. Must have completed significant course work in international tax. Bilingual, English/Spanish, capabilities desired, but not required. Must have a JD from an ABA-approved law school and be an active member in good standing of the Bar.

Junior Legal Secretary - Litigation / Public International law

The candidate should have City and Guilds/ILEX Level 2 Diploma for Legal Secretaries or equivalent. Should have 1+ years of experience gained within a Law Firm and at an appropriate level. Clear understanding of the operation and structure of a law firm is essential. Strong technical skills across all Microsoft packages including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel is essential.

International Lawyer

The candidate should have 5+ years of relevant experience gained in a litigation-focused firm; excellent academic background and technical, drafting and litigation skills. Should be familiar with coordinating multi-jurisdictional litigation as part of a cross-border approach to litigation. Track record of excellence in client service; high level of awareness concerning international issues; strong communication and organizational skills are required; ability to manage multiple priorities and ensure that deadlines are consistently met.

Head of Foreign and International Law

Duties: As a member of the Law Library's Research Services team and reporting to the Associate Librarian for Research Services, Specializes in foreign, comparative, and international law reference and instruction. Together with the Associate Librarian for Collections and Access, the Curator of Foreign and International Law, the Senior Librarian for Reference, Instruction and Collection Development, and other selectors of material for the law library, develops expertise in foreign, comparative, and international law collection development in all formats. Leads the law library's effort to support LawSchool faculty and students in the areas of foreign and international law through reference, research, and instructional support. Consults with School faculty, students, and staff, on research projects and issues related to foreign and international law. Coordinates foreign and international law focused outreach to law faculty, students, and staff via the library website, office hours, workshops, guest lectures, and other efforts. Teaches a for-credit class specializing in foreign and international law. Teaches legal research classes within the library's for-credit and not-for-credit instructional program. Works with the other members of the Research Services team to deliver Anglo-American and foreign, comparative, and international research support and instruction to law school faculty, students, and staff, and to other members of the university community, in a dynamic and challenging environment. Serves as a liaison to members of the faculty especially those interested in foreign, comparative, and international law as well as other members of the faculty as assigned. Develops research guides and other documentation, both print and electronic, to educate and assist patrons in conducting legal research and using library resources. Participates in developing the Library's online presence via the web site and other electronic means. Supervises at least one professional librarian. May supervise support staff and student workers. Participates in library planning committees, working groups, and task forces within the Law Library and the University Library. Seeks opportunities for professional growth and involvement. Engages in campus, regional, national, and international professional organizations and collaborative activities. Expected to be professionally active and represents the Library and the University in the academic, scholarly, and professional community. Provides research support to students and faculty in academic departments, schools, and research centers through consultations, instruction sessions, and in-person and virtual reference services. Supports research and raises awareness of information resources through outreach efforts such as department-based office hours, blogs, RSS feeds, mailing list messages, and workshops. Creates and maintains online guides and other research support tools. Collaborates with librarians, GIS specialists, archivists and other providers of information resources to support research and teaching. Develops library collections in all formats. Works closely with the Director of Collection Development, collection, acquisitions and cataloging librarians, and staff on acquiring and receiving resources in all formats (print, databases, datasets, images, a/v, etc.) and preparing them for availability to users. Participates in departmental library research support and collections program planning. Participates in library system-wide planning, committees, and work groups, and engages in campus, regional and national professional organizations and collaborative activities. Monitors developments and best practices elsewhere to help ensure the excellence of collections and research support services. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts.

Qualifications: Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library school. In selected instances, a post-graduate degree in a related discipline may be required or substituted for a master's degree in library science. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability. Record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion. Experience working collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations. Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment. JD Degree from an ABA-accredited law school, or foreign equivalent is required in addition to the MLS. 2+ years professional experience in a law library. Proficiency in at least one European foreign language. Ability to provide Anglo-American and foreign, comparative, and international legal reference. Ability teaching legal research in an academic law library or comparable setting. Ability to function in a collegial, fast-paced, team-oriented environment which emphasizes customer service and delivery of exemplary library research services. Skill using current information technologies and publishing formats, databases, Internet proficiencies, and a mastery of basic legal research sources and techniques in both print and electronic formats, and in domestic, foreign, and international sources. Strong analytical ability, creativity, and flexibility; firm understanding of library services and work processes; strong public services orientation; strong communication, interpersonal, and listening skills; superior emotional intelligence and cultural competence. Ability to work collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations. Demonstrated ability to think independently, solve problems, and develop cost effective strategies; self-motivated, superior attention to detail, excellent organizational skills. 2 years' experience as a public services librarian in an academic law library providing foreign, comparative, and international legal research support. Experience teaching foreign, comparative, and international legal research. Bibliographic knowledge of western European languages, especially German. Supervisory experience. Record of designing projects and bringing them to timely conclusion. 

Assistant or Associate Professor - International Law

The candidate should have a J.D. degree (or the equivalent) and have outstanding records of accomplishment in scholarship, teaching, and service, or demonstrate a high probability of success as scholars, teachers, and future members of the LawCenter's broader community.

Start Date: Fall 2017

Application Deadline: September 26, 2016.

Assistant Professor in Constitutional and Public International Law

The candidate should have superior academic credentials, previous teaching experience, and a record, or the promise, of excellence in teaching and legal scholarship. Prior teaching and scholarship in the area for which the appointment is sought is preferred, and experience teaching hybrid courses (flipped classrooms, etc.) is advantageous. Entry-level applicants may demonstrate scholarly promise by publications in scholarly journals or by scholarly works in progress can apply.

International Law Clerkship, Summer 2017

Summer Law Clerks play an important role in the development and implementation of international legal strategies to combat some of the most pressing threats to the environment around the world. Under the supervision of an attorney, Law Clerks' primary responsibilities are to conduct legal and policy research, and draft legal documents. Depending on docket, summer clerks might draft submissions to US courts or international tribunals, petition international environmental or human rights bodies, write memos or briefs in support of litigation in foreign domestic courts, research issues related to international environmental and human rights law, and/or develop public outreach materials, such as press releases and blog posts. In addition, the summer law clerk program includes seminars with attorneys from across the organization on current environmental issues. Must have demonstrated commitment to or interest in international and/or environmental issues. Should have experience working in cross-cultural settings. Coursework or job-related experience in international or international environmental law is needed, Law students who have a minimum of ten consecutive weeks to commit in the summer are eligible to apply.'

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