Guide to Student Opportunities in Arbitration
Course Offerings in International Arbitration
WCL presents one of the most diverse and complete course offerings on international commercial arbitration in the United States. These courses emphasize the analysis and study of theoretical legal issues as well as specific questions frequently found in real life arbitral cases.
International Commercial Arbitration
Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Arbitration
International Commercial Arbitration Fundamentals
International Litigation & Arbitration
Dispute Resolution Involving Sovereigns
International Sales
Investment under Regional Trade Agreements
Investment under Regional Trade Agreements
International Law Under Foreign Investments
Dispute Resolution under Regional Trade Agreements
International Sales
Summer Courses:Advanced Seminar: Practical Skills and Cross-Examination
in International ArbitrationInternational Arbitration and Choice-of-Law Issues
Contributions of the ICC Court of Arbitration to the
Practice of International Commercial ArbitrationNuts and Bolts of International Commercial Arbitration
Investor-State Arbitration
Summer Courses in Spanish:Arbitraje Comercial Internacional
Arbitraje Inversionista – Estado
Seminario Avanzado: Aspectos Prácticos del Proceso
Arbitral
LAW- 789-3 credits (Spring & Fall)
LAW-927-2 credits (Spring & Fall)
LAW-679-001 (Fall)
LAW-677-3 credits (Spring)
LAW-795-2 credits (Spring)
LAW-973- 3 credits
LAW-953-2 credits (Fall)
LAW-953-2 credits
LAW-954-2 credits
LAW-691-001- 3 credits
Law-973-001 - 3 credits (Fall)
LAW-795-1 credit (summer)LAW-795-1 credit (summer)
LAW-795-1 credit (summer)LAW-789-001– 1 credit (summer)
LAW- 795-017– 1 credit (summer)
LAW-789-002 1 credit (summer)
LAW-789-018S 1 credit (summer)LAW-795-019S 1 credit (summer)
Work Experience in International Commercial Arbitration:
There are a variety of opportunities to gain work experience in international arbitration at WCL and in summer placements.
At the Center on International Commercial Arbitration:
- Dean's Fellowships:
Students have an opportunity for paid employment and can support the activities of the Center, work with faculty experts and foreign visitors participating in arbitration activities, and help with research and other activities. Dean’s fellowships are available in the spring, summer, and fall. Dean's Fellowships are advertised via MyWCL in December for the spring, in April for the summer, and in August for the fall.
- Center on International Commercial Arbitration Research Team:
The Center receives applications from students every semester (spring and fall) to participate on its Research Team. As a member of the Research Team students conduct extensive research under the supervision of the Center’s faculty to produce a paper or comment for potential publication. The Center accepts group and individual applications. Students can gain academic credit for this project by following WCL’s independent study guidelines and/or using it for your upper level writing requirement. The Center selects candidates in November-December for the spring and in May for the fall. The Center advertises this opportunity through MyWCL in December for the spring and in April for the fall. Please note that there is no compensation available for participation in this project, rather, the project aims to support your efforts in getting published.
Internship Placements Reserved for WCL students:
- ICC International Court of Arbitration Summer Internship, Paris
The Secretariat of the ICC International Court of Arbitration annually reserves a space in its internship program for a WCL student. The internship takes place in July/August. The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce is the world’s leading organization in the field of arbitration. Interns attend sessions of the Court and participate in the work of the Secretariat. They are also expected, should the need arise, to contribute to a research project related to arbitration. Professor Horacio A. Grigera Naón, Director of the Center on International Commercial Arbitration and former Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration recommends one WCL student each year to participate in the internship program. To apply for this opportunity, you must be a law student (JD or LLM) who is not yet engaged in professional legal practice. Applicants are required to have studied international arbitration. Excellent grades and research and writing skills are also required. Prior experience in the arbitration department of a law firm is desirable. The Center selects the intern in December and advertises this opportunity through MyWCL.
- American Arbitration Association ICDR Summer Internship, Washington-New York
The internship provides two WCL students the unique opportunity to work on cases at one of the world’s leading arbitral institutions. The American Arbitration Association® (AAA), with its long history and experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution, provides services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve conflicts out of court. The AAA role in the dispute resolution process is to administer cases, from filing to closing. The AAA provides administrative services in the U.S., as well as abroad through its International Centre for Dispute Resolution ® (ICDR). The AAA's and ICDR's administrative services include assisting in the appointment of mediators and arbitrators, setting hearings, and providing users with information on dispute resolution options, including settlement through mediation. Ultimately, the AAA aims to move cases through arbitration or mediation in a fair and impartial manner until completion. The Association also provides elections services as well as education, training, and publications for those seeking a broader or deeper understanding of alternative dispute resolution.
The intern will be assigned to work under the supervision of a leading attorney and have the opportunity to work on international arbitration initiatives as needed. The intern will have direct access to confidential cases and to the AAA research facility. The 8-week internship will be based at American University Washington College of Law and includes a two-week commitment at the AAA’s New York Office. Interns are required to handle their own travel/ accommodation arrangements for their stay in New York. Spanish and additional linguistic ability is desirable. The Center receives applications in December and advertises this opportunity through MyWCL.
- Cramer-Salamian, Dubai
Cramer-Salamian is a Swiss boutique law firm with offices in Geneva, (Switzerland), Moscow (Russia) and Dubai (UAE). The Dubai office of Cramer Salamian (operated in association with Abdulla Al Ali & Associates) chiefly focuses on tax & structuring, corporate & commercial practice, private clients, commercial litigation – mainly arbitration – and sports law. Inter would work in our litigation department (80% of their time) and corporate department (20%). Tasks include:- Drafting of submissions as Claimant and Respondent for arbitration proceedings – mainly Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”), Abu Dhabi Centre for Commercial Arbitration and Conciliation (“ADCCAC”), and International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”);
- Preparation and attendance of arbitration hearings and national courts hearings;
- Drafting of legal notices;
- Preparation and attendance of pre-litigation negotiations;
- Revision and drafting of international commercial contracts.
- Revision and drafting of corporate documents – i.e. Memorandums of Association, Shareholders’ Commitment Agreements, Board Resolutions, etc.; and
- Minimum administrative work.
Inter would receive a remuneration of USD 800 per month; possibility to be part of a young team of lawyers having immediate hands-on participation in the law firm’s every day task; and assistance in finding accommodation in Dubai.
Applicants can send their cover letter and CV to Maria L. Rubert at rubert@cramer-salamian.com with copy to arbitration@wcl.american.edu.
Other Internship Placements:
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Moot Competitions:
For students interested in practicing arbitration, moot competitions can prove to be a valuable experience.
- LL.M. International Arbitration Competition
This unique activity provides an opportunity for LL.M. students to compete in an arbitration moot exercise. The competition is organized every year by WCL and takes place in March. If you are interested in the competition, please, send an email to arbitration@wcl.american.edu.
- Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition Held annually in Vienna, Austria and Hong-Kong
The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition helps foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for resolution of international business disputes through its application to a concrete problem of a client. Over the course of six months, students prepare a memorandum for claimant and respondent and compete in oral arguments against nearly 250 teams of law students from all over the world. Students are encouraged to contact the Mock Trial Honor Society emailing mocktrialhonorsociety@gmail.com.
- Competencia Internacional de Arbitraje Comercial (Spanish only)
The Fifth International Commercial Arbitration Competition will take place in Washington D.C. between September 26 and October 1, 2012 (V Edición de la Competencia Internacional de Arbitraje Comercial). The competition, which is organized by Washington College of Law in partnership with University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and University of El Rosario (Colombia), aims to promote the study of international commercial law and arbitration as a method of dispute resolution in international business and is conducted only in Spanish. If you are interested in the competition, please, send your resume and cover letter to arbitration@wcl.american.edu by January 31, 2012.
- Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court Competition
The Competition is a simulated hearing before an arbitration tribunal set up according to the rules of the International Convention for the Settlement of Investment (ICSID.) The moot court is hosted by the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main. In March 14 to 18, 2011, a team of students will participate in the Competition. For additional information please send an email to adr@wcl.american.edu.
- Moot Madrid
The competition, which is organized by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (CNUDMI/UNCITRAL), aims to promote the study of international commercial law and arbitration as a method of dispute resolution in international business and is conducted only in Spanish. If you are interested in the competition, please, send your resume and cover letter to arbitration@wcl.american.edu
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National Law School International Arbitration Moot
Held in Bangalore, India, by the National Law School in partnership with Clifford Chance, the competition aims to promote arbitration as a method of dispute resolution in international commercial relationships. If you are interested in the competition, please, send your resume and cover letter to arbitration@wcl.american.edu - ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition
Held annually in Paris, France, the ICC Mediation Competition helps educate and train future mediators and arbitrators by giving students a chance to test their problem-solving skills against law students from all over the world and to meet experts from diverse legal and professional backgrounds. Teams have successfully represented WCL since the competition was established in 2006. In fact, the team representing WCL won the 2007 competition. Students interested in learning more about the competition should send an e-mail to adr@wcl.american.edu.
Student Organizations:
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International Commercial Arbitration Society
In April 2011 a group of JD and LLM students created the International Arbitration Society. This organization seeks to provide a forum for research in the field of international arbitration and the interaction between the community of J.D, LL.M, Exchange Students and Alumni interested or practicing in the field of international arbitration. For more information please contact Jorge Chauta at jc7536a@student.american.ed - Society for Dispute Resolution:
The Society for Dispute Resolution is a student organization dedicated to promoting student interest in ADR at the Washington College of Law. The Society serves to help students gain an understanding of and promote the use of ADR as an effective alternative to litigation. The group provides students with the opportunity to hear from prominent ADR experts in the field and to participate in local mediation training and competitions. The Society also participates in events sponsored by ADR groups at other area law schools. For more information, please send an email to adr@wcl.american.edu
- International Trade and Investment Law Society (ITILS):
The International Trade and Investment Law Society aims to bring highly renowned practitioners and academics into the WCL environment to share knowledge and ideas and offer students unique and intellectually beneficial opportunities. Not only is ITILS one of the most successful and engaged student groups here at WCL, but its members have gone on to create waves in the trade community here in D.C. and abroad. For more information, please send an email to itils.wcl+pres@gmail.com
Arbitration Brief
We are pleased to announce that the second issue of the International Commercial Arbitration Brief has been released. The Brief is a student publication of the Washington College of Law produced with the assistance of the Center for International Commercial Arbitration. Its purpose is to provide timely insights into developments in the field and to highlight trends and practices occurring around the globe. The Brief welcomes pieces from both practitioners and students. For more information please send an email to wclarbitrationbrief@gmail.com
For more information about the Center on International Commercial Arbitration, please contact: Susana Castiglione, Assistant Director, Center on International Commercial Arbitration, American University Washington College of Law, 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016, Telephone (202) 274-4321, Facsimile (202) 274-4226, E-mail:arbitration@wcl.american.edu, Website:www.wcl.american.edu/arbitration
“I am interested in Business Law. WHAT COURSES SHOULD I TAKE?” By Professor David Snyder
