Hosted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Allied
Command Transformation (NATO ACT) in Mons, Belgium, the Law
School's NATO Practicum offers 2L and 3L students the opportunity
to work full time within the Office of Legal Education, the
division of ACT responsible for legal support, continuing legal
education and legal interoperability for over 60 NATO legal offices
around the world.
This unique full-time, in-residence practicum provides carefully
selected students the opportunity to gain practice experience in
public international law and national security law. Students will
be exposed to the daily practice of public international law,
including:
- International agreements
- International, regional, and national law
- The function of staff legal counsel
- Legal support to defense forces
- Comparative law challenges
- Legal education program
- International criminal tribunals
- Organizational policies, standards, and procedures
To fulfill requirements set by the host organization, students
will be required to spend 4.5 -5 months at NATO. We therefore
anticipate the 3L fall semester selectee to arrive in Belgium the
week after the Fourth of July and return to the U.S. the week
before Christmas. The spring semester 2L selectee will arrive in
Belgium the week after New Years and return the last week of
May.
For more information on the NATO Practicum and other International
Practica offerings at St. John's School of Law, please
contact us.