International Law at American University Washington College of Law

Last Friday, American University Washington College of Law students finished the intellectual property portion of the two-week international trade and IP program in Geneva, Switzerland, completing a week of impactful sessions at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Throughout the week, under the guidance of Professor Christine Farley, students explored critical legal and policy issues in intellectual property law. Along the way, they gained valuable insight into the role and operations of WIPO as a key institution in the global IP landscape. Through daily discussions with WIPO attorneys and subject-matter experts, students connected theory with practice, deepened their understanding of complex issues, and explored potential career paths in IP law.

We would like to extend a special thanks to the WIPO Academy and the many lawyers and professionals for their longtime support of this course and to our wonderful participants. Our students brought impressive insight and fully embraced this unique study abroad opportunity.

The 13th edition of the summer program on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the multilateral system was held last week (June 1-5) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Guided by Professor Padideh Ala’i, students gained deeper insight into the organizational architecture of the WTO, the contemporary issues facing the multilateral trading system, and the WTO’s role in international rule making—right on site at the headquarters of the institution.

We are incredibly grateful to the WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for welcoming our participants to the WTO. We are specifically thankful to Santiago Wills and to Deputy Directors-General Jennifer “DJ” Nordquist, Johanna Hill, and Xiangchen Zhang, as well as the many WTO staff who shared their expertise with our participants.

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.

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!

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!

🎓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 🌎⚖️

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

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.

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!

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.