Where Will Your Legal Education Take You?

Graphic by Alondra Pulido

International development lawyers assist political and judicial leaders and head negotiations between these leaders and organizations within their country. These lawyers may serve as policy counsel to leaders in developing countries, and assist these countries with poverty alleviation, improving educational opportunities, sustainability initiatives, and healthcare, rule of law, infrastructure, and economic development.

International development lawyers practice in a number of organizations and countries around the world, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency of International Development, the United Nations, and the World Bank. International development lawyers also work for NGOs in both the United States and in countries abroad. Work with NGOs may focus heavily on microfinancing (important for poverty alleviation), food and water rights (especially important to work in Africa), children’s rights, and women’s social development. Knowledge of nonprofit tax law is significant for candidates wishing to work at an NGO.

There are a variety of post-graduate fellowship opportunities for law students, including the Asian Development Bank Visiting Researcher Fellowship, the Belgian American Educational Fellowships, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) Fellowship, the Democracy Fellows Program, the Fulbright Scholar Program, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Honor Law Graduate Program.

Photo by Ilyass SEDDOUG on Unsplash

Students in the Sustainable Development LL.M. at the UW School of Law are trained in the rule of law and human rights, poverty alleviation, global environmental protection, indigenous rights, and corporate sustainability. Students obtaining the Sustainable Development LL.M. may also take a variety of hands-on courses, such as the Development Innovations Lab, the Global Development Law and Policy Workshop, and the International Development Practicum (externship). Graduates of the program will be vital to the stability of countries and economies worldwide following the global COVID-19 pandemic for the training they have received.

• Guide on International Development: Public Service Careers and Opportunities [Harvard Law School]

• International Development Law [Public Service Jobs Directory]

  • What Can I Be Doing in Law School to Help My Career in International Development Law? 

  • Where Can I Practice International Development Law?

• Sustainable International Development LL.M. [University of Washington School of Law]

  • Curriculum

• International & Comparative Law Concentration Track [University of Washington School of Law]

• Sustainable International Development LL.M. [University of Washington School of Law]

• Washington International Law Journal 

• University of Washington School of Law Faculty:

  • Kimberly Ambrose - UW Law Associate Teaching Professor

    Formerly a consultant for the Asia Foundation, E2J project (a non-profit, international development organization).

  • Anna B. Bosch - Director, UW Visiting Scholars Program

    Earned an LL.M. in Sustainable International Development from UW Law. 

  • Jennifer Lenga-Long - Associate Director for the Sustainable International Development Program at UW Law

  • Anita Ramasastry - Director of the Sustainable International Development Graduate Program at UW Law