International and Comparative Law

The public defenders’ office in Rio de Janeiro faces numerous challenges, ranging from large crime rates to insufficient resources. Public defenders play a pivotal role in streamlining the criminal procedures, especially for the most vulnerable groups in society. In fact, social exclusion, and the inequalities it produces, are a notable problem in Rio de Janeiro. 

On September 12, 2019, AUWCL’s Syrian Initiative to Combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence  (SGBV) hosted the panel discussion “Combatting Sexual & Gender-Based Violence in Syria: How Can We Play a Role?” Professor Padideh Ala’i delivered the opening remarks and Professor Susan SáCouto moderated the event. 

The Tech, Law, Security (TLS) Program is a new initiative at American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) that will tackle the challenges and opportunities posed by rapidly changing technology.  Operating as a mini-think tank in the law school, TLS will work through unresolved and cutting-edge legal and policy issues at the cross section of technology, law, and security, as well as develop innovative policy proposals to influence policies and practices across the public and private sectors. 

This summer, Professor Susana SáCouto and Professor Jayesh Rathod led WCL’s 13th annual Summer Law Program in The Hague, a unique collaboration between WCL’s War Crimes Research Office and the T.M.C. Asser Instituut that introduces students to the field of international criminal law. 

While Brexit has raised many multifaceted political questions, the legal dimension of the UK’s decision to leave the EU is another vastly complex challenge. Professor of Law Fernanda Nicola, who specializes in EU and comparative law, participated in a panel discussion at American University on October 15, 2019 under the theme "Countdown to Brexit: Causes, Consequences and Controversies."

On October 19, International Arbitrator Yves Fortier delivered the 2019 Annual Lecture of AUWCL's Center on International Commercial Arbitration. Fortier’s lecture was entitled “Long Live the Golden Summer: Arbitration, Litigation, and Cola,” and discussed the challenges of the international system of investment dispute settlement and the proposed amendments to tackle these challenges.