Students in professor Charles C. Jalloh's Advanced Topics in International Law seminar focus on the work of the United Nations International Law Commission, allowing them to investigate cutting-edge topics on the ILC agenda, such as the role of judicial decisions and teachings in determining rules of international law, the global legal implications of sea level rise, immunity of state officials, prevention of piracy, and settlement of disputes.
Recently, Jalloh, who is among the few special rapporteurs of the ILC and the Richard A. Hausler Chair in Law, took four of those students—rising third-year J.D student Minah Malik, Ana Luiza Potgornik Ferreira, J.D./LL.M., and two LL.M. '25 graduates Clara Wicke and Marco Castro Gonzalez—to the ILC in Geneva to work with him during the 76th (2025) session.
Despite a shortened session due to the budgetary crisis currently facing the United Nations, the ILC session progressed key topics on its agenda, with a priority given to the issues close to completion: immunity of state officials, sea level rise under international law, general principles of law, and subsidiary means.
"Everyone did their part to support Professor Jalloh in introducing the topic. We were responsible for assisting in tracking the debate in the plenary session, identifying key themes to bring to the drafting committee, and researching proposals and responses when they were made on the floor," said Malik, who also serves as a David Catsman Fellow at the Center of Ethics and Public Service.
Jalloh presented his third report on a study of an aspect of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, presenting several conclusions based on what is found in practice. Jalloh successfully completed what is known as a first reading, when the ILC completes a full set of proposals on a given issue for presentation to States for their comments based on a work program adopted and notified to States at the beginning of the topic in May 2022.
Castro took the seminar "aiming to dig deeper into the field of international law and understand contemporary issues and new developments in the field" and plans to return to his home in Guatemala City, Guatemala, to use his newfound knowledge to become actively involved in academic programs, supporting a master's degree program in international law, and expanding his professional international trade law practice with a stronger international focus.
"The Geneva experience offered a unique opportunity to see up close how international law operates in practice," said Ferreira. "What surprised me most about the experience was witnessing how much thought and careful negotiation the ILC members put into shaping each draft article, conclusion, and report, and being able to contribute to it was really rewarding."
The Advanced Topics in International Law seminar offers students a unique opportunity to learn about the codification and progressive development of the law through the lens of the ILC, from one of only two faculty members teaching at a U.S. law school and currently serving on the ILC. The seminar prepares students for the opportunity to accompany Jalloh as an assistant to the United Nations in Geneva, where the ILC meets annually.
"The members of the commission were approachable and generous with their time," said Wicke. "At one point, the female members of the commission sat down with the female assistants for an open conversation. They offered very thoughtful, sometimes personal answers and valuable career advice. Conversations with fellow assistants gave me insight into potential practicum opportunities, the pros and cons of pursuing a Ph.D., and other critical next steps for a career in international law.
"International law is a competitive field, and career paths are often nonlinear and unpredictable. This experience helped me find clarity. It answered questions I didn't know I had. As a result, I now feel truly confident in the direction I'm headed professionally," Wicke said, who plans to return to Germany to pursue a career in international law.
"The ILC is the world's premier expert body on international law. It has made tremendous contributions to the development of modern international law. So, I am very glad that with the support of Interim Dean Patricia Abril, I was able to bring four bright UM law students with me to Geneva for the 2025 session," said Jalloh. "This was a crucial opportunity to help train the next generation of future international lawyers, especially at a time when multilateralism and the rule of international law are increasingly coming under challenge.
"I was proud of each of my four students, whose hard work and commitment to developing their knowledge of international law, their diverse backgrounds, and their multilingual skills ensured that they learned far more than they could in a traditional seminar," Jalloh said.
He hopes to continue to offer the seminar opportunity to future School of Law students in fall 2025.
Read more about Miami Law’s international law area of study.
