Whether you’re a prospective or current law student, or simply intrigued by the evolving landscape of international law, the new and improved International Law Society at Boston College Law School provides a platform where interested students can engage in meaningful dialogue, learn from experts, and explore the vast possibilities within international law. We interviewed the founding members and current E-Board of the International Law Society to uncover the inspirations behind its formation, its core objectives, and the exciting array of activities and events it has in store.

What inspired the (re)formation of the International Law Society, and what are its core objectives?

Before coming to BC, one of the things a number of us did was look for an international law club in the list of student organizations. The presence of such a club was a significant factor in our decision to come to BC. During the Fall semester, a group of us were a bit disappointed to learn that the organization no longer existed, and so we ventured to bring it back.

In talking with BC’s esteemed faculty, we learned that BC had a rich history of international engagement in international courts and journals, and that ILS used to be very active. This is something we hope to reignite and is a part of our core objective as an organization. We want to show students there are careers that are internationally minded, whether in international human rights, trade, or arbitration.

Equally paramount is our aspiration to foster a culture of informed discourse on international legal matters. We endeavor to cultivate an environment that allows students to compare U.S. law with its international counterparts, understand how international law affects us, and discover different fields of law outside of torts and contracts. We hope this environment will encourage insightful discussions and provide students with the tools to make informed decisions in global jurisprudence. Moreover, our overarching ambition extends beyond our immediate members; we aspire to serve the broader student community by offering valuable resources and opportunities for academic and professional growth.

What are some of the key activities and events the International Law Society plans to organize?

One of the most exciting elements of the new ILS is the creation of interest groups—in which five or more people with a shared interest within international law (e.g., International Arbitration or Law of the Sea) can plan events with the help of the ILS E-board. In addition to these more specific interest group events, the ILS will host its own events to expose the student body to international scholarship and practice. We are planning several career panels across private and public international law that expose BC students to as many career paths as possible. 

To make sure BC students remain informed on the most pressing issues in international law, we will also invite experts to discuss emerging issues that materialize throughout the year. Finally, in an effort to create a more intimate, community-focused environment, we plan to hold coffee chats with BC Professors and alumni to discuss their work and scholarship where there is an emphasis on dialogue rather than lecturing. 

What opportunities does the ILS offer for networking with professionals and experts in the field of international law?

The International Law Society seeks to provide invaluable opportunities to network with professionals and experts in different fields of international law. Drawing from the relationships that Boston College Law School already has with firms across the country, we are establishing a rapport with professionals in practice groups ranging from international finance and cross-border transactions to international arbitration and dispute resolution, offering students who aspire to pursue a transnational career a direct connection to the pulse of global legal practice. 

Through regular panels and events featuring practicing lawyers from global firms, our members will gain insight into the intricate workings of international law in real-world scenarios. By fostering a culture of dialogue and mentorship, we aim to empower our members to navigate the complexities of international law and cultivate a strong professional network that will serve them throughout their careers. 

Looking ahead, what long-term impact does the ILS hope to achieve within the law school and the wider legal community?

Many of us remember sitting there on the first day of orientation hearing about the OCI (On Campus Interviewing) process and careers in PILF (public interest law) and thinking, what is that? Now, we know that OCI and PILF are two of the currents that direct the flow at BC. In learning about the many potential careers as lawyers, we found a gap for those seeking a more internationally minded opportunity. By starting ILS, we pictured a future where a richer international alternative is offered to students, allowing them to learn more about careers in international law beyond what’s offered now. We want to show students there is something that fits between both public interest and private law and pique their curiosity to learn more. We want the ILS to provide an alternative to the norm, to make swimming against the current a little easier.

In a practical sense, we recognize that a globalized world requires lawyers with a broader understanding of concepts than those limited by the doctrines of a single country. We want the ILS to aid in the education of those lawyers and to create more spaces for them. And to make it fun! We want students to be as excited about a summer internship or learning about trade and environmental treaties between countries as they would be about shipping out to a white-shoe firm. 

We think big – we want our interest groups to attract their own members, we want an annual retreat, we want to restart a focus on international scholarship, we want students rushing to get into clinics that will take them to Asia or Latin America, we want employers at international courts and law firms to be saying “BC students have the international skills that we are looking for,” we want to bring back alumni, like John Kerry, who have contributed greatly to the field to come invest in a new generation of BC international lawyers. 

Lastly, we want to create the kind of network that sustains a project such as this so that the BC law alum who ends up working in international law sees his former peers around him in the industry. So that the student who enters into BC Law thirty years from now can reach out to you – who is reading this now – and say “I’m interested in a legal career that is internationally minded, can you help me?” And you can help them!

For those interested in keeping up with ILS activities and events, what are the best ways to stay informed?

First and foremost, join our email list and GroupMe! The International Law Society is looking forward to regularly sharing information regarding upcoming panels, clinic and externship opportunities, and short-to-long form journalistic content on international legal issues via our email list and GroupMe. Additionally, come find any of our officers on campus and pull us for a chat! Our entire E-Board is delighted to meet new members and to talk about the club. We would be honored to apprise you of the latest and greatest! 

ILS E-Board:
Michael Keating (President)
Zakria Abu (Vice President)
Keyon Rostamnezhad (Secretary)
Nicole Bauer (Treasurer)
Hannah Russ (Communications Chair)
Mimi Frotten (Parliamentarian)

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Christopher Tan is a first-year student at BC Law. Contact him at tanbw@bc.edu.