News and Events @ American University Washington College of Law June 2011

AUWCL Hosts Annual Gathering of Human Rights Clinics

Human rights clinical faculty from around the country and Canada met at American University Washington College of Law for their annual gathering last month. The 45 clinicians from schools such as Yale, Harvard, Georgetown, UVA, Columbia and UC-Hastings addressed issues such as the use of simulations, effective use of instructional time, and measuring the impacts of clinics on clients, communities, and the academy. Professors Rick Wilson and David Baluarte, representing the American University Washington College of Law International Human Rights Law Clinic, hosted the meeting. MORE

War Crimes Research Office Releases Report on the International Criminal Court

On June 8, The War Crimes Research Office launched a new report on the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Colombian Embassy in The Netherlands at an event co-hosted by the Group of Friends of the ICC.  The report, Expediting Proceedings at the International Criminal Court, examines means of avoiding delays in proceedings before the ICC.  Read the full report. 

Summer Programs Expand, Draw Hundreds of Faculty Experts and Participants from Around the World

American University Washington College of Law completed its unique summer sessions in International Commercial Arbitration, Human Rights, Environmental Law, International Organizations Law and Diplomacy, Law and Government, International Intellectual Property, and Health Law and Policy. These sessions brought more than 100 expert faculty members from around the world to campus, featured 70 courses, 59 in English, 11 in Spanish. Nearly 400 law students and practitioners took part in these sessions.

“Our summer programs have become a meeting point for scholars and leaders around the world who both teach and take part in specialized legal training,” said Dean Claudio Grossman.

Dean Grossman Decorated with "Order of Justice" from Colombia

Dean Claudio Grossman visited Colombia this month, where he had the opportunity to meet with alumni and prospective students and develop university connections. Dean Grossman also gave a lecture at the University Sergio Arboleda, and was decorated with the “Order of Justice” from the Minister of Justice of Colombia.

Professor Peter Jaszi and School of Communications Professor Patricia Aufderheide Combine Forces for Book on Fair Use

In their upcoming book Reclaiming Fair Use: How to Put Balance Back in Copyright, Professor Peter Jaszi and School of Communications Professor Patricia Aufderheide embrace an underused and misunderstood concept in copyright law: fair use. The book, due out later this summer, has already started to garner attention.  Recently, The Chronicle of Higher Education featured Aufderheide and Jaszi’s work in an issue covering copyright. MORE

Summer Legal English Institute Continues to Grow in Fifth Year

American University Washington College of Law’s Summer Legal English Institute (SLEI) began with 14 students in the summer of 2007. Now, in its fifth year, the program will welcome 50 students to campus June 27-July 14. The SLEI was designed to introduce foreign practitioners, law students, and interested or incoming LL.M. students to legal English concepts through lectures, written assignments, in-class exercises, contract negotiations and a mock arbitration. “We’re excited that the program is now helping such a diverse international population,” said Catherine Schenker, associate director of the International Legal Studies Program and director of the SLEI. MORE

Project on Addressing Prison Rape Prepares to Help Prisons Comply with New Federal Standards

The Project on Addressing Prison Rape at American University Washington College of Law acts as a leading national voice and unifying force in the fight to expose and prevent prison rape and sexual abuse in all levels of correctional system.  Since 2000, the group has played a leading role in framing the issue, identifying the tools to fight it, and providing training to all levels of the criminal justice system to combat the problem. Now, due to a set of regulations set to come down from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Project could be even more immersed in this issue. MORE

Law School Partners with Organization of American States for Trade and Environment Seminar

As part of this year's Environmental Law Summer Session, AUWCL collaborated with the Organization of American States to host a seminar on Trade and Environment in the Americas.  Participants from 15 countries received an intensive week of study about issues surrounding trade and environment.  The seminar was taught by leading practitioners from throughout the Americas and also featured a site visit to a local business engaged in international trade, a reception at the Organization of American States, and a trade simulation exercise. More

Event Addresses Challenges to International Accountability

American University Washington College of Law and The World Bank Inspection Panel hosted a day-long symposium, "Challenges of International Accountability: Lessons from Independent Accountability Mechanisms," on Friday, June 24. The objective of the Symposium was to exchange ideas and best practices on the accountability of international institutions involved in the work of sustainable development. Alumni Serge Selwan ‘01 and Aimona Tashieva ‘11 from the World Bank Inspection Panel and Professors Danny Bradlow and David Hunter organized the event. MORE