Replace Your Briefcase With A Suitcase
Put away the traditional legal briefcase and instead, pack a suitcase! Our guide to international law careers will help you unlock careers paths recommended by other alumni. There's a wealth of information about breaking into roles in the United Nations, there's also different options for finding externships, internships, early career and late career roles. If you're looking to take a sabbatical and volunteer your legal knowledge around the world, check out the pro bono opportunities.
Feeling overwhelmed keeping up with policy and looking to brush up on your knowledge first? We've put together a list of resources that keep up with everything so you don't have to! No need to use ChatGPT, you've got all the international data and research at your fingertips.
Careers at the United Nations
The United Nations performs a variety of different types of recruitment due to the various needs and structures of their international programs - this includes everything from micro volunteering online to massive positions in global leadership.
Watch the video tutorial below about finding a career at the United Nations then use our link list as well as the UN careers website to find an opportunity for you that is appropriate based upon your current legal experience and other skills.
UN Careers Helpful Links
Opportunities for Current Law Students
CGLP provides summer and semester long study and externship opportunities to build your international law resume. Be sure to take advantage of our variety of global opportunities for all stages of your law school experience.
Upon your return, work with CGLP and OCM to craft a great international law resume.
Professional Memberships
American Society of International Law: Internships in international law & SCU is a member organization. Unlock your student membership.
Human Rights & Economic Development
- Idealist Internships: Social Impact jobs and internships around the world
- US DOS Pathways Internships Program
- World Trade Organization Internships (must be under 30 years old)
- International Monetary Fund Internships
- Devex: Internships in international development
- World Bank Legal Internship Program
- International Criminal Court Internships
- Advocates for Human Rights Internship
- International Committee of the Red Cross Internships
- Human Rights Watch Internships
- Accountability Counsel Internship Program
- Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) Internships
- Center for Constitutional Rights Internships and Volunteer Opportunities
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Internships, rising 3Ls should also look at the fellowships listed on their jobs page
- Freedom House Internships seem to be posted on the regular career page
- Center for Constitutional Rights: Internships & Volunteer (information about volunteering is listed under internships)
- Carter Center Internships: Advancing human rights and alleviating suffering – works on rule of law, democratization, conflict resolution, and election monitoring
- International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Student Fellowships: Monitors elections and seeks to bolster democracy by developing programs to strengthen ROL
- Clinton Foundation: Dedicated to fostering global interdependence through work in health security, economic development, leadership development, & racial, ethnic, and religious reconciliation - internships seem posted in their regular site
- Oxfam America: Fighting poverty and injustice around the world (Volunteer Information)
- International Center for Transitional Justice: Help societies in transition address legacies of massive human rights violations and build civic trust in state institutions as protectors of human rights (Internships seem to be posted at the bottom of the Career Page)
- International Crisis Group: Field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to resolve and prevent conflict (Internships seem to be posted on the Career Page)
- East Bay Sanctuary: Immigration advocates network (Internships or volunteer roles may require Spanish language proficiency)
- Catholic Charities: Unaccompanied refugee minors programs and human services (Explore their Volunteer Opportunities)
- Center for Reproductive Rights: NYC has an international program (internships seem to be posted on the Careers page)
- Opportunity Agenda: Expand opportunity in America (Internships seem to be posted on the Careers page)
Environmental
- Earthrights International Internships seem to be posted on the regular career page
- Earthjustice Internships, Externships, Clerkships, and Volunteering
- International Rights Advocates Internship Program
- Center for International Environmental Law Internships (Switzerland)
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Look for jobs like "Short-Term Professional Employment and Practical Training", this may be their abroad designation. Placements in the US have been referred to as internships.
- World Wildlife Fund Internships
- World Resources Institute Internships
Recent Law Graduates (3 years or less experience)
Check out international opportunities for graduates of law school that have generally have less than 3 years of experience.
Human Rights & Economic Development
- American Society of International Law: Internships in international law & SCU is a member organization
- Foreign Policy Association: Join a Discussion Group
- Devex: Jobs in international development
- DevNetJobs: International Development Jobs and Consulting
- Relief Web: Searchable web site listing thousands of overseas jobs
- Idealist Jobs: Social Impact jobs and internships around the world
- World Trade Organization Young Professionals Program (must be under 32 years of age)
- International Monetary Fund Research Analyst Program
- Advocates for Human Rights Careers
- International Committee of the Red Cross Recent Grads
- International Committee of the Red Cross Contract Positions
- Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
- Center for Constitutional Rights Fellowship
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Fellowships (Seem to be posted on the Jobs page when available)
- International Rights Advocates Fellowship
- Public Service JD Jobs: These vary greatly in type of role, filter by Associate or similar terms is recommended
- Altshuler Berzon LLP Associate Recruitment: Firm focused on legal public excellence
- Cohen Milstein: Firm focused on advocacy for the common good
- Global Ministries the United Methodist Church Global Mission Fellows(below age 30, see the International Track)
- Center for Constitutional Rights Justice Fellows (for 0-2 years of experience)
- Clinton Foundation: Dedicated to fostering global interdependence through work in health security, economic development, leadership development, & racial, ethnic, and religious reconciliation
- Mercy Corps: Alleviates suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities
- FINCA International (Microfinance program)
- International Rescue Committee (Humanitarian)
- Save the Children (Humanitarian) - note there is an international careers page
- International Center for Transitional Justice: Help societies in transition address legacies of massive human rights violations and build civic trust in state institutions as protectors of human rights
- International Crisis Group: Field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to resolve and prevent conflict
- East Bay Sanctuary: Immigration advocates network
- Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking: Assist persons who have been trafficked and work towards ending all human rights violations (LA)
- Association for Women’s Rights in Development: Free weekly listings for gender-related jobs in development and HR
US Federal
- US DOS Recent Graduates Program
- US DOS Foreign Service Officers
- USA Jobs: Changing location to other countries can help you find federal employment around the world
Environmental
- Earthjustice Associate Attorneys
Legal Professionals (Roles that typically look for 2-5+ years of experience minimum)
Human Rights and Economic Development
- ALB Legal Jobs Centre: Focuses on Asia
- Devex: Jobs in international development
- DevNetJobs: International Development Jobs and Consulting
- Internationaljobs.com: Variety of legal jobs around the world
- Relief Web: Searchable web site listing thousands of overseas jobs
- Idealist Jobs: Social Impact jobs and internships around the world
- World Trade Organization
- International Monetary Fund Specialized Career Stream Professionals
- World Bank
- International Criminal Court Jobs
- Advocates for Human Rights Careers
- Amnesty International Careers
- Open Society Foundations
- Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) Jobs and Consultancies
- Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Careers
- Freedom House
- Center for Economic and Social Rights
- Accountability Counsel
- Catholic Relief Services
- Public Service JD Jobs: These vary greatly in type of role, filter by Senior, Director or similar terms is recommended
- Relman Colfax: Firm focused on civil rights cases
- Cohen Milstein: Firm focused on advocacy for the common good
- ABA Global Roles: Tends to post consulting positions that require significant experience
- Rotary International
- Ahsoka International
- National Democratic Institute: Works to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide
- Carter Center Jobs: Advancing human rights and alleviating suffering – works on rule of law, democratization, conflict resolution, and election monitoring
- International Republican Institute: Advances freedom and democracy worldwide by developing political parties, civic institutions, open elections, democratic governance and the rule of law
- International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): Monitors elections and seeks to bolster democracy by developing programs to strengthen ROL
- Oxfam America: Fighting poverty and injustice around the world
- Accion (Microfinance program)
- CARE International (Humanitarian)
- Catholic Charities: Unaccompanied refugee minors programs and human services
- Polaris Project: Global fight against human trafficking
- Center for Reproductive Rights: NYC has an international program (Careers page)
- Opportunity Agenda: Expand opportunity in America (Careers page)
US Federal
Environmental
- Center for International Environmental Law
- Earthjustice Senior Attorneys
- International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
- World Wildlife Fund Jobs
- World Resources Institute
- Friends of the Earth
- Winrock International - Providing Solutions to Complex Agricultural and Social Challenges
Other
Federal US Government & Other US Government Organizations - Roles May be at All Levels of Experience
While many of the organizations below only have US offices, we have highlighted these opportunities as a number of them do tie to international interests given the US involvement in world politics and as a result have been of interest to past students and alumni.
Some of these agencies, departments, or opportunities may be suspended depending on Presidential priorities of the US government. We have kept them on this list even if they were suspended at time of publishing due to our expectation that this will change in the future.
- Export-Import Bank of the United States: General Counsel’s office hires very small number of law students for summer internships
- Overseas Private Investment Corporation
- Securities and Exchange Commission: Office of International Affairs investigates enforcement problems, promotes cooperation among international bodies, and works on treaties. Law graduates are hired for the Advance Commitment program
- U.S. Agency for International Development
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
- U.S. Department of the Treasury: Coordinates U.S. recruitment efforts for the Inter-American Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund and World Bank.. The Office of General Counsel hires graduates for its Legal Honors Program, with the possibility of assignment to handle legal issues for the Office of International Affairs which promotes economic growth and stability
- U.S. Department of Transportation: The Office of General Counsel has a small Office of International Law. The Honors Attorney Program is offered every two years for graduating law students
- U.S. International Trade Commission
- U.S. Trade and Development Agency
- USA Jobs
- Department of State
- U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General
- U.S. Army Judge Advocate General
- U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General
- Department of Defense, Office of the General Counsel
- Central Intelligence Agency
- U.S. Trade Representative
- Department of Commerce
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Justice
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- Federal Reserve Board
- Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection
- Congressional Research Service
- Commodities Futures Trading Commission
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
International & Virtual Pro-Bono Opportunities
- ABA Center for Human Rights Pro Bono Volunteer Sign Up
- Peace Corps
- Visiting Professional for the International Criminal Court
- Human Rights First Volunteer Pro Bono
- European Roma Rights Center Volunteer Program
- Public International Law and Policy Group
- Earthjustice (Volunteer opportunities at the bottom of the page)
- Catholic Relief Services
- Global Ministries The United Methodist Church Mission Volunteering Program (2 month - 2 year service)
- Winrock International Volunteer Opportunities
- Oxfam America: Fighting poverty and injustice around the world (Volunteer Information)
- International Rescue Committee Volunteer Opportunities
- CARE International (Humanitarian): worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty (Sign Up for their Volunteer Listserv)
- Save the Children Volunteer Advocacy
- Center for Gender and Refugee Studies: Clinic at Hastings Law that hosts pro bono attorneys
- East Bay Sanctuary: Immigration advocates network (many volunteer roles require Spanish language proficiency)
- Catholic Charities: Unaccompanied refugee minors programs and human services (Explore their Volunteer Opportunities)