preLaw Magazine - Fall 2008 - (Page 42) specialties HUMAN RIGHTS What is human rights law? Human rights law is a system of law, both domestic and international, which is intended to promote human rights. It’s an area that interests many young lawyers, but few get the opportunity to work in the area. The work of human rights lawyers and legal professionals spans a vast array of topic areas and fields of practice. There is really no such thing as a typical human rights lawyer and the work of professionals working in the field of human rights can be surprising and more prevalent than it’s sometimes thought, according to the Law Society. Q&A with Sheri Rosenberg, director of Human Rights and Genocide Clinic at Benjamin N. Cordozo School of Law ) How do people enter the field of human rights law? There’s no one direct path. What skills are most important to human rights lawyers? It’s a very broad field. Generally speaking, getting field experience is the most important and it’s useful to have done some time working abroad in the field. What classes and law school experiences do you recommend? Take advantage of international law and human rights law courses. I’ve found that many pre-law students are coming into law school already having g done some human rights work. How should a student choose a law school with this specialty? Overall, be persistent. This area of law has grown over the years. Look for schools that have human rights clinical programs, institutes or centers. Schools should have courses that are not just in human rights, but also encompass public international law. I AM A SINGLE MOM. I was nervous about moving from Florida to Idaho for law school. However, everyone at the College of Law welcomed me with open arms. Having a child during my first year, the law school worked with me to balance school and a family. One-on-one time with professors is important to me. My professors were available outside of class to accommodate my new responsibilities. The University of Idaho College of Law is truly a special place. I am proud to have graduated summa cum laude, and I am more proud to be a good Mom. Idaho allowed me to be both. I AM MICHELLE GUSTAVSON. I AM THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO. University of Idaho College of Law – Waters of the West Initiative – Small Business Legal Clinic – Northwest Institute for Where to study HUMAN RIGHTS LAW Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Fordham University School of Law Franklin Pierce Law Center George Mason University School of Law Georgetown University School of Law New York Law School Northwestern University School of Law Thomas Jefferson School of Law Trinity Law School University of California Davis School of Law University of Connecticut School of Law University of Minnesota Law School University of Wisconsin Law School Willamette University College of Law LEARN MORE Toll-free 1-888-884-3246 42 preLaw http://www.law.uidaho.edu http://www.law.uidaho.edu
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