International Law Practice Lab
Overview
The field of international law is one of the most dynamic areas of legal practice, and its principles are increasingly applied by practitioners addressing complex problems on behalf of their clients. This course analyzes the development and implementation of international norms by emphasizing the interrelationship between the theoretical foundations of international law and the pragmatic skills needed to succeed in this evolving and interdisciplinary field.
Students learn specific lawyering skills such as treaty negotiation, research relating to international law, and the intersections of international and domestic law. An overarching goal of the course is to develop strategies for advocacy of particular legal and policy positions in different venues such as international institutions, domestic government agencies, and international tribunals.
A World Stage
The Tennessean spotlights Michael Newton and Practice Lab's work with Iraqi judges and in building a manual to support attorneys in international criminal tribunals work under widely established international criminal law best practices.
Real World Application
On May 9, 2024, the Criminal Court of the Nineveh Province in northern Iraq conducted the first criminal trial ever in Iraq using video conferencing technology, in collaboration with the First Karkh Criminal Court, in Baghdad, whose appellate judges supervised the trial procedures.
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ILPL submits amicus brief in case challenging Ethiopia’s counter-terrorism statute
ILPL has submitted an amicus brief to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in a human rights case, Abubaker Ahmed Mohamed and 28 others v. the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
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Research by students supports ICC case against Sudanese President Al Bashir
Working over several semesters, students in ILPL have provided the baseline data for the mappingbashir.org website, which chronicles the travels of Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir.
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United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Human Trafficking Guide
The Case Digest arose from a need the United Nations ODC identified among practitioners who fight trafficking, to be given tools to address typical evidential problems which arise in trafficking cases.
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Seeking Justice for Burma: A Case for Revoking the Credentials of the SPDC
Our report on the Burmese government in exile, "Seeking Justice for Burma: A Case for Revoking the Credentials of the SPDC," was widely circulated around United Nations channels during the 63rd General Assembly session.
International Law Practice Lab Director
Michael Newton
Professor of the Practice of Law
Professor of the Practice of Political Science
Director, International Legal Studies Program
Director, Vanderbilt in Venice Program
Michael Newton is an expert on terrorism, accountability, transnational justice, and conduct of hostilities issues. Over the course of his career, he has published more than 90 books, articles, op-eds and book chapters.
Newton has been an expert witness in terrorism related trials both in domestic courts and at the International Court of Justice. He served as the senior adviser to the Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues in the U.S. State Department from January 1999 to August 2002, during which he implemented a wide range of policy positions. He negotiated the “Elements of Crimes” for the International Criminal Court. He has been involved in coordinating U.S. support to accountability mechanisms worldwide, both at the international and domestic levels.
Have Questions?
Connect with the International Law Practice Lab coordinator.