International Legal Studies Program

Michael Newton

Professor of the Practice of Law
Professor of the Practice of Political Science
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.