If you want to become a successful international lawyer, you would have to start preparing and look for jobs (related to law that is), while you are still a student. Having professional experience once you graduate will help you stand out in the search for an international law position. Important skills for an international law practitioner While you are still in law school, start learning a foreign language. Chances are it will be very useful in your future profession; first of all, employers will be impressed and second of all, the term “international” from “international law” speaks for itself. As an international lawyer, you may have to travel a lot, frequently communicate with foreigners and other government agencies and interpret or translate a series of legal documents. In the globalized world of today, some of the most common foreign languages used by international lawyers are: French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. Among other skills that are highly recommended to international lawyers are:  research and writing skills  public speaking knowledge (the art and science of effective communication)  negotiation and leadership skills  international study or work experience  knowledge of the basic differences between different legal systems around the world as well as their political and cultural contexts in different countries A native quality that is highly appreciated and successful for any lawyer for that matter, is the personal charm. Although hard to define, law specialists consider that those lawyers who apply enticement and persuasion techniques have a greater effect on inducing sensitivity to the mentalities of people from different cultures. Work opportunities A graduate in international law can find work that is exciting and highly satisfying. The salaries depend on the nature of the job you choose. The jobs can either be short-term project-based or long-term, but the field is very competitive and getting a job right after graduation may not be an easy task. With a post-graduation degree or related additional qualifications, you can make a successful career in international law. The following are some fields where individuals with a degree in international law can work. The annual income of an international lawyer, regardless of the location, starts from around 68,000 USD, but they vary according to experience and employer. In the U.S., for example, an international lawyer with very few years of experience, can earn around 90,000 USD/year, while the highly experienced ones can have a salary of over 150,000 USD/year. 1. International law in the private sector The private sector is a major area where students of international law study programme can find employment. The increase in globalization has led to the expansion of international law firms, which, has in turn, increased the job opportunities for people in the field. You can get a job at a private law firm and depending on the specialty of the firm, you will handle international business transactions, deal with international commercial law/trade, etc., manage and mediate the relationship between private individuals, associations and commercial organisations. 2. International law in the public sector Working in a public sector as an international lawyer can lead to professional careers in government, academia, or with international organisations, including the organisations of the EU. A. Regional and international organisations Popular examples include: United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Council of Europe, World Trade Organisation Get involved in various legal disputes that are related to administrative operations, or you can participate in the settlement of investment disputes between countries. There are full-time and part-time opportunities that provide work experience. Qualified lawyers with advanced language skills can find work in the legal translations in organisations. Practice of international law in an international organisation can imply an advisory role or handling disputes. The job of an international lawyer can include negotiating and drafting treaties, interpret anti-corruption laws, handle conflicts related to intellectual property law or sovereign debt. B. Government Compared to working as an international lawyer in a private firm where you can only solve a part of the problem, as a government lawyer, your horizons are wider. On the other hand, the amount of workload is higher but in time, you will also be given several administrative and managerial responsibilities. Help promote the interests and protect the safety of a nation without overlooking geopolitical considerations. C. Courts You can be a judge in an international tribunal and manage trials, research legal issues, and make final decisions about cases of law. Judges are usually appointed by Congress, state governor or selected through partisan elections are voted in by the electorate. You can also find employment as a lawyer in compensation courts which deal with issues related to armed conflicts, such as property and housing. D. Academia Academics and research is another area where international lawyers find work opportunities. You can work completely in the academic field or can combine it with teaching practices. This is one field where many opportunities are available. International law in NGOs Opportunities include working for relevant NGOs (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, JUSTICE, Friends of the Earth) as a lawyer specialising in human rights cases. Versatility of international law jobs You can specialise as an international lawyer in one of these fields, but on average, most lawyers change their job and/or workplace to every two and a half years. You might be attracted to work in a private law firm in the beginning, then you would love to work as a government lawyer and finally end up joining an NGO. The order is simply random and it doesn’t mean it applies to everyone. In addition, as the legal industry globalizes, new areas of practice might be added in just a few years and the demand for experts in international law will increase. Regardless of the field you will choose, your mission as an international lawyer is very important. Your duties and responsibilities as an international lawyer have a high impact in the lives of citizens worldwide as one of your major roles is to help the peaceful coexistence of nations. In order to get accepted into your dream degree in international law, you’ll most likely need excellent English speaking skills.]]>