International Law at American University Washington College of Law

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International Law at American University Washington College of Law

American University Washington College of Law's #6 ranked International Law Program.

One of the first truly international programs, the LLM program in International Legal Studies is ranked among the top ten international law LLM programs in the United States and is currently the only program in the United States to offer a dual LLM/MBA degree. A program over 35 years old and still growing, the ILSP was established in 1982 in response to a growing demand for lawyers trained in inte

rnational law. With over 170 students from 53 countries, the International Legal Studies Program at the American University Washington College of Law is one of the most intellectually and culturally diverse programs in the nation. The program incorporates a rich array of international law courses and seminars, experiential learning, and special events which allow our students to interact and network with esteemed faculty, international attorneys, diplomats, business leaders, and policy makers. Our recognized 24 full-time faculty members and 40 adjunct faculty members are leading practitioners in their field. Our diverse faculty have established strong alliances with various international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations such as the World Bank, the World Wildlife Fund, the United Nations, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights, the Inter-American Development Bank and regional organizations such as Central and East European Law Initiative (CEELI).

06/03/2026

On May 21–28, 2026, welcomed Dean Rashad Ibadov of ADA University School of Law, along with faculty colleagues Dr. Aynur Akhundli , Nijat Rasulzade, Tabriz Jafarov, and academic advisor Susan Mammadli, to meet with Professor Padideh Ala’i and AUWCL colleagues in furtherance of our cooperation agreement.

During the visit, ADA University colleagues met with AUWCL faculty and senior staff to discuss LLM programs, law library resources, visiting faculty collaboration, clinical legal education, legal research and writing, and curriculum development, among other areas.

AUWCL leadership and faculty are proud of our collaboration with .university and its law school and look forward to further work together with the goal of improving international legal education and faculty development at both institutions.

06/02/2026

On June 1, 2026 we started our summer program at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva led by Professor Padideh Ala’i. The course that takes place at the WTO as well as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been part of our summer program offerings since 2011.

Today, the participants were privileged to meet with the Director-General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Deputy Director-General of the WTO, Jennifer DJ Nordquist; Director of the General Council and Trade Negotiations Committee Division of the WTO, Santiago Wills; and Counsellor, Council and Trade Negotiations Committee Division of the WTO, Janos Volkai.

Stay tuned for more highlights from this summer program!

05/27/2026

was honored to welcome .university Vice Rectors Elkin Nurmammadov and Gunay Ziyadova to the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, where together with Professor Padideh Ala’i, director of International and Comparative Legal Studies, they met with AU President Jonathan Alger and Provost Vicky Wilkins to celebrate the continued growth of the partnership between the institutions.

This year also marked another milestone for the joint 3+1 Program as five students earned their LL.M. degrees, including four graduates in International Business and Trade Law and one graduate in the International Legal Studies Program with a specialization in Criminal Law.

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort and continuing to create opportunities for future global legal leaders. Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2026!

05/19/2026

🎓Congratulations to the AUWCL LL.M. Class of 2026! From every corner of the world, you came to Washington, DC with a passion for the law. You leave ready to make your mark on it. The next chapter starts now 🌎⚖️

05/18/2026

On May 15, the United Nations International Law Commission adopted the draft articles on Immunity of State Officials from Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction, an effort led by AUWCL Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman. Professor Grossman, who has served as Special Rapporteur on this topic since 2023, is currently assisted in this work by PhD student Joana de Andrade Pacheco and AUWCL Adjunct Professors Lena Raxter and Victoria Ernst. Professor Grossman also guided the AUWCL students participating in his seminar on the International Law Commission, through which they contributed to this important project at various stages of its development.

Read the adopted text here: http://legal.un.org/docs/?symbol=A/CN.4/L.1034

04/27/2026

During the American Society of International Law Annual Meeting last week, AUWCL proudly sponsored the 28th Annual Grotius Lecture featuring Philippe Sands, KC, Professor of Law at University College London, Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard, and practicing barrister at 11KBW and discussant John Bellinger, partner at Arnold & Porter and former legal advisor to the U.S. Department of State.

The lecture titled “Ruptures, Justice and Order” discussed the current state of the multilateral rules-based system and responded to the narrative that we are living in “a world without law.” Sands reflected on the growing pressures facing the post-1945 international order, describing the current moment as a “rupture” for the rules-based system, while stressing that international law has and continues to operate across global systems, underpin everyday life, and sustain international cooperation, even as states attempt to undermine it. Ultimately, he suggested that while the system will continue to face strain, it is resilient over time and will “evolve to reflect new and changing realities,” remaining grounded in shared principles and enduring relevance.

In discussion, John Bellinger reinforced the resilience of the international legal system. His remarks particularly focused on the prohibition on the use of force in the UN Charter and how recently states’ actions have called this principle into question. He nonetheless emphasized that these challenges should prompt renewed effort to strengthen and adapt the rules-based order.

04/22/2026

The Trade, Investment & Development Program at American University Washington College of Law was proud to convene leading policymakers, practitioners, and scholars for the “Reimagining Multilateralism for the Future” conference.

The central theme of the conference was reimagining multilateralism in response to shifting geopolitical dynamics, technological disruption, and evolving economic and security priorities. Despite these challenges, collective and universal action remains imperative to secure peace and international order.

Panels throughout the day explored the future of the multilateral trading system, including challenges facing the WTO and opportunities for reform following its 14th Ministerial Conference, as well as U.S. perspectives on balancing international engagement with domestic trade policy priorities. Discussions also examined the rise of generative AI and its societal implications, highlighting global efforts to ensure its safe and ethical development, alongside its growing impact on international trade, data governance, and innovation policy. Panelists further addressed intensifying competition over critical minerals, exploring minerals supply chain resilience and reconfiguration and the evolving balance between multilateral and plurilateral approaches to global resource management.

With an extensive trade law program that is among the top in the nation, AUWCL continues to be the place where the world meets to study law.

Thank you to all who contributed to this important conversation on the future of the global trading system!

04/21/2026

For 28 years, International and Comparative Legal Studies at American University Washington College of Law has held the Annual Grotius Lecture during the American Society of International Law's Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

The 2026 Annual Grotius Lecture titled "Ruptures, Justice and Order" will be delivered on April 22 at 5:30 PM by Philippe Sands, KC, Professor of Law at University College London, Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard, and practicing barrister at 11KBW. The distinguished discussant will be
John Bellinger, Partner at Arnold & Porter and former Legal Adviser to the U.S. Department of State.

Philippe Sands will address the future of the rules based system in a multilateral global legal order, against the background of current global developments, from tariffs and trade to sovereignty, war and the rights of individuals.

04/09/2026

We are excited to announce the keynote event of the AUWCL Trade, Investment and Development Program’s Reimagining Multilateralism Conference, the 2026 Annual Wenger Endowed Lecture in International Trade Law.

The 2026 Wenger Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. We are honored to welcome the Director-General for her timely and thought-provoking remarks on the importance of the multilateral rules-based trading system.

📅 April 15, 2026
🕒 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., reception to follow
📍 American University Washington College of Law,
Ceremonial Classroom, Room NT01
🔗 Register Here: https://lnkd.in/eJSiwyS5

Opening remarks for the Lecture will be delivered by Jonathan Alger, President of American University.

The Lecture will be moderated by Angela Paolini ELLARD, Senior Advisor (nonresident) of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), former Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and former Chief Trade Counsel House Ways & Means Committee.

This event is open to all, but registration is required. We hope you will join us!

04/08/2026

The Trade, Investment and Development Program at AUWCL is excited to host “Reimagining Multilateralism for the Future”, a day-long conference aiming to explore a new vision for multilateralism. This conference is made possible by the generous support of the Henry E. and Consuelo S. Wenger Foundation.

📅 Wednesday, April 15 2026 | 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
📍 American University Washington College of Law, NT01
🔗 Register to attend the conference: https://bit.ly/wenger2026

Join leading experts across law, policy, and industry to explore the future of multilateralism in the areas of international trade, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals governance at a moment of growing global fragmentation. The goal of this gathering is to reimagine how the institutions and rules that have long underpinned global stability can adapt to meet the increasingly urgent, complex challenges facing the global community.

The Reimagining Multilateralism Conference will be followed by the 2026 Annual Wenger Endowed Lecture in International Trade Law, delivered by World Trade Organization Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
🔗 Register to attend the Wenger Endowed Lecture: https://lnkd.in/eJSiwyS5

This conference is open to all, but registration for both components is required.

Address

4300 Nebraska Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20016

Telephone

+12022744000

Website

https://www.wcl.american.edu/international

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