To work as a lawyer in a multinational arena—whether in trade, technology, finance, or the protection of human rights—requires an in-depth understanding of distinct legal systems and cultures, including their individual characteristics and how they work with, or against, each other..
How do lawyers help define and influence international relations, global commerce, and fundamental human rights?
Columbia Law pioneered the study of international legal systems and offers unrivaled breadth and depth in the field. Today, the Law School remains at the forefront of scholarship and policy on issues of international business, corporate and antitrust law, economic migration, global governance, and global human rights advocacy. Regionally focused centers and programs host leading scholars and writers; take on pressing policy issues; and enable students to collaborate with faculty on groundbreaking research. Three centers focused on law in Asia offer extraordinary expertise and resources. Further, Columbia faculty were instrumental in developing international institutions—including the United Nations —and creating the modern legal framework for global human rights law.
Why Columbia?
Explore an array of international law centers and institutes: Columbia Law School is the only institution of its kind with three centers focused on Asian law: the Hong Yen Chang Center for Chinese Legal Studies, the Center for Japanese Legal Studies, and the Center for Korean Legal Studies. The European Legal Studies Center hosts visiting scholars and offers internships at international legal institutions. The Human Rights Institute is one of the oldest and largest law school human rights centers in the world, and with the Smith Family Human Rights Clinic, provides training in international advocacy and matches students with mentors experienced in global human rights work.
Experience implementing institutional law at an international organization through externships at the United Nations; gain skills through a practicum in international arbitration and experiential courses in transnational litigation.
Enroll in dual-degree programs with universities in Europe, 15 study abroad programs in 11 countries, and explore cross-disciplinary course offerings at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.
Advocate in international moot court competitions including the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court and the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.
Apply for post-graduate fellowship opportunities at the European Court of Justice and the International Court of Justice.
