Meet the International Legal Studies Program Staff

Associate Professor David Hunter
Director of the International Legal Studies Program
Professor of Law
Room 340

David Hunter is a Professor of Law, Director of the International Legal Studies Program and Director of the Program on International and Comparative Environmental Law at American University's Washington College of Law. He teaches US Environmental Law, International Environmental Law, Comparative Environmental Law and the Law of Torts. Prof. Hunter was the former Executive Director of the Center for International Environmental Law, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the global environment through the use of international law. Mr. Hunter was formerly an environmental consultant to the Czech and Slovak environmental ministries, an environmental associate at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and executive director of WaterWatch of Oregon, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving western water laws. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide-US, EarthRights International, and the Project on Government Oversight (chair), and is a Board Member and Member Scholar of the Center for Progressive Reform. He is also a member of the Organization of American States’ Expert Group on Environmental Law, the Steering Committee of the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law, and the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman’s Strategic Advisors Group. He is a 1983 graduate of the University of Michigan with majors in economics and political science, and a 1986 graduate of the Harvard Law School. Mr. Hunter is author of many articles on international environmental law, and is co-author of International Environmental Law and Policy (Foundation Press) and Climate Change and the Law (Lexis Nexis Publishing).

For appointments, contact Julie Yorkshire at 202-274-4112 or juliey@wcl.american.edu.

Cathy Schenker Cathy Schenker
Associate Director of the International Legal Studies Program
Room 345
Phone: 202-274-4314
E-mail: schenker@wcl.american.edu

Cathy Schenker is the Associate Director of the International Legal Studies Program (ILSP) and the Director of the Legal English Program at the American University Washington College of Law (WCL) in Washington DC. In her capacity with the ILSP, she works as the academic advisor to the students in the ILSP LLM program, oversees the daily operations of the ILSP LLM program and teaches Legal Research and Writing to the LLM students. As Director of the Legal English Program, Cathy organizes and teaches in a three week summer institute and a week long winter program for global legal practitioners. Cathy is interested in issues related to English for Specific Purposes and content-based language education as well as academic support programs for international law students. Prior to teaching at WCL, Cathy worked as a corporate associate at Hogan & Hartson LLP. She received her BA, cum laude, from Yale University in History and International Studies, a JD from New York University School of Law, and a TESOL certificate from American University. Cathy speaks Polish, French, and basic Italian.

Bill Churma
Assistant Director of Admissions
Room 309-A
Phone: 202-274-4114
E-mail: wchurma@wcl.american.edu

Bill Churma works with all new and incoming students throughout the admission process. He is the point of contact for all applicants to the ILSP and newly-admitted students, as well as for individuals inquiring about the ILSP program. In addition, Bill works with all ILSP students as the contact for financial aid, scholarships, sponsoring programs, and the Certificate Exchange Program. A native from Pittsburgh, Bill received a BA from Washington & Jefferson College in International Studies and French and a MA in International Training and Education from American University. He has spent time abroad studying and working in France and speaks English and French.

Gina Evers Gina Evers
Alumni Coordinator & English Tutor
Room 343
Phone: 202-274-4113
E-mail: gevers@wcl.american.edu


Gina is both the Alumni Coordinator and English Tutor for the International Legal Studies Program. She coordinates with alumni liaisons to create communication and networking opportunities for alumni in their home countries through the establishment and maintenance of alumni clubs, and helps alumni keep in touch after they leave. Gina is the editor of the biannual Global Network, the ILSP's own alumni magazine, and manages the ILSP alumni listserv. Gina also works with current LLMs to help improve their written and spoken English. She meets with students on a one-on-one basis in order to discuss writing in English. She holds a BA in writing from Ithaca College and a MFA in creative writing from American University. She speaks English and Italian.

Greg Rafal Resources Coordinator
Room 309
Phone: 202-274-4110
E-mail: grafal@wcl.american.edu

Greg Rafal is the Resources Coordinator for the International Legal Studies Program.  He is the initial point of contact for prospective students, works very closely with the admissions process and serves as a general resource for all students within the program. Additionally, he is charged with handling ILSP's social media pages. Greg earned his BA in Spanish from Christopher Newport University and also studied abroad in Seville, Spain.  Prior to joining the ILSP team, he worked at his alma mater helping students engage socially on campus and planning campus wide events for the Office of Student Engagement.  Greg has a strong interest in higher education and in his free time loves to run and stay active.

Julie Yorkshire
Assistant to the Director of the International Legal Studies Program
Room 338
Phone: 202-274-4112
E-mail: juliey@wcl.american.edu

Julie Yorkshire is the Assistant to the Director of ILSP. She serves as a primary point of contact for students and ILSP staff, working to plan events, design and develop program materials, write a weekly newsletter, and act as a resource for answering academic, program, and cultural inquiries.

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Julie is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College with two BA degrees in Business Administration and Spanish. She also studied abroad at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in Argentina and has traveled extensively in South America. Before coming to AU, Julie worked as a technology consultant with Google’s HandsOn Tech program through AmeriCorps VISTA. Her extensive training with Google coalesced with her marketing background and has afforded her many opportunities to host various technology webinars and workshops on local and national levels. Her work developing assessments and cloud solutions for non-profit organizations has positively contributed to her professional background. In her free time, Julie enjoys exploring D.C., knitting, and vlogging.

Melanija Radnovic Melanija Radnovic
Assistant Director, International Career Programs
Room 122
Phone: 202-274-4097
Fax: 202-274-4096
Email: mradnovic@wcl.american.edu

Melanija Radnovic is the Assistant Director for International Career Programs in the Office of Career & Professional Development. She specializes in advising foreign ILSP students and alumni on issues unique to foreign lawyers entering the job market in the United States. Through workshops and individual sessions, Melanija counsels foreign lawyers in all areas of career development, including developing strategies to secure jobs and internships in the United States during and after their Optional Practical Training (OPT). Melanija is also an Adjunct Professor and teaches the International Visiting Scholars Seminar at WCL.

Melanija joined WCL in 2009 and until 2013 was the International Programs Coordinator, and managed the Humphrey Fellowship Program and the International Visiting Scholars Program. Melanija received her JD degree from the University of Novi Sad Law School, in Serbia, and is admitted to the Serbian BAR. She is an alumna of WCL, where she obtained LL.M. degree in International Legal Studies with two specializations: International Business Law and International Environmental Law. She worked as a judge for the Municipal family law court, and as an independent attorney, she practiced in the areas of business, trade, contract, labor, real estate, family and property law. Melanija cooperated on a number of legal research projects related to international environmental law issues, and issues of foreign investment and trade in developing countries, with the CIEL and several other NGOs in the DC area. Melanija has also obtained certificates from the Intercultural Management Institute at AU in: Intercultural Leadership Competence, International Student Advising, Intercultural Training and Facilitation, as well as Mediating in a Multicultural Context. She speaks Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, basic German and is presently taking classes in Spanish.

Daniel Enos
Acting Program Coordinator
Office: 4910 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 16/Room 126
Phone: 202-274-4391
E-mail: denos@wcl.american.edu

Daniel Enos is the acting Program Coordinator for the Humphrey Fellowship Program and the International Visiting Scholars Program. He is enrolled in American University’s School of Public Affairs and is working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Society. In addition to his education within the realm of law, Enos has professional experience in the legal fields of domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. He plans to use his professional knowledge to help in his future academic endeavors with the Peace Corps Master’s International Program. This program allows him to earn a Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution while also ascertaining field experience through the Peace Corps assignment. When Enos completes this program, he hopes to attend law school and eventually work within international law; more specifically, human trafficking policy.