In recent weeks, International Law activities at Seton Hall Law have been at the forefront. Distinguished Practitioner in International Law, Dawn Yamane Hewett, presented a lecture on “The Global Fight Against Corruption”; Students represented Seton Hall Law at the International Chamber of Commerce Commercial Mediation and Jessup International Law Moot Court competitions; Seton Hall Law hosted the 2019 ASIL International Organizations Interest Group Works-in-Progress Workshop; and Katherine Comly ’20 was selected as the recipient of the Summer International Law Fellowship for her internship at Global Justice Center this coming summer.
International Law Lecture with Dawn Yamane Hewett
Distinguished Practitioner in International Law, Dawn Yamane Hewett (Of Counsel at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP), visited Seton Hall Law on March 13 for a public lecture, “The Global Fight Against Corruption in 2019.” She also spoke in Dean Boon’s International Law course and met informally with students.
The experience provided an inside look into “how countries have become more proactive in prosecuting and eradicating foreign corruption. The presentation also showed the immense flexibility of International Law, using domestic statutes like the FCPA to stomp out corruption in the International sphere,” says Jacob Kenter ’21. Fellow student, Alex Corson ’20, also said, “Ms. Hewett was clearly a master of the material and the juxtaposition of her experiences in international anti-corruption enforcement and investor-state dispute resolution made her an invaluable resource to the students. We were very fortunate to have her visit us for these excellent lectures.”
International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") Commercial Mediation Competition
In February, Seton Hall Law’s Conflict Management Program, in partnership with New Jersey City University, competed in the 14th Annual International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") Commercial Mediation Competition. The event, which is held in Paris, is the world’s largest moot exclusively devoted to international commercial mediation.
ICC’s biggest educational event of the year, the Competition gathers over 350 students and coaches every year, in addition to 130 professional mediators and mediator trainers from all over the world and volunteers, sponsors, and observers.
Seton Hall Law students, Melissa Marler (pictured far right) and Ameya Pendse (pictured front left,) competed against teams representing 65 universities, hailing from 32 countries and some of the world’s most prestigious schools. All endeavoring to resolve international business disputes through mediation—and guided by professional mediators pursuant to the ICC Mediation Rules—their performance was evaluated by some of the world’s leading dispute resolution specialists who acted as judges.
Melissa and Ameya were successful at pushing themselves beyond their own limits and stretching their capabilities to new heights as they demonstrated their lawyering and advocacy skills.
Melissa Marler notes:
“Being chosen to be a member of the Seton Hall Law NJCU ICC Mediation Competition team was an incredible honor. My coaches and fellow team members helped me find my voice as an advocate that I will carry with me throughout my career. With every team practice, my confidence and skill improved. I have never seen such a great change within myself from any other of my law school courses.
While in Paris, I was able to interact with students and professionals from various cultures. I was able to learn about different dispute resolution processes as well as different legal systems around the globe. This experience brought upon a personal and professional development that I will cherish forever.”
Ameya Pendse writes:
“Attending the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris, France, was surely one of the highlights of my law school experience. We had the opportunity to meet and compete against different law schools from around the world, such as schools from France, Lebanon, Indonesia, and Georgia (Republic of).
More importantly, this competition exposed me to a new style of dispute resolution - mediation. In law school I was always exposed to adversarial methods of dispute resolution (such as oral argument, persuasion and advocacy, appellate advocacy, moot court etc.), it was extremely valuable to see, learn and participate in another method of alternative dispute resolution. Working with Professor Maurice Robinson showed me that collaborative mechanisms exist when it comes to resolving a conflict. Working with him and Professor David Weiss has made me very interested in the field and I hope to get further involved with it as a start my post-law school career. Anyone who is selected to participate in the competition is extremely lucky, and I am grateful for this incredible opportunity. Thank you.”
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
Also in February, Seton Hall Law’s International Moot Court team competed at the New York Regional Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Representing Seton Hall Law were returning team members Angela Cooper ’19 and Nicolette Fata ’19 joined by Katherine Comly ’20, Vincent Ferrer ’19, and Yudiana Gonzalez ’20.
“Jessup” is the world's largest moot court competition, with participants from over 680 law schools in 100 countries and jurisdictions taking part each year. The Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the top judicial organ of the United Nations. Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.
Led by coaches Kari Panaccione, Amy Cuzzolino, and Taylor Steele, and Faculty Advisors Professors Kristen Boon and Margaret Lewis, the team worked throughout the year to acquaint themselves with the full spectrum of historical and current issues in international law. This year’s issues ranged from environmental law to human rights law and intellectual property law. The team also practiced intensively before guest judge panels comprised of Seton Hall Law faculty members, former Jessup participants, and visiting professors and practitioners.
At Regionals, the team argued before several rounds of three-judge panels, each comprised of experienced international law practitioners from around the world. The team advanced to the Quarterfinals and earned Fourth Place for Best Written submission in a field that includes teams who regularly place in the top spots at the International Round of the competition.
Tryouts for next year’s International Moot Court team will be held in mid-April – for information, please email Coach Kari Panaccione at [email protected].
ASIL International Organizations Works in Progress Workshop
Seton Hall Law hosted the 2019 ASIL International Organizations Interest Group Works-in-Progress Workshop on March 15. Over 20 authors from Yale Law School, Stanford Law School, Paris II, Cambridge, the University of Hawaii, the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Freshfields, the University of Ottawa faculty of law, and various divisions of the UN discussed new articles on topics related to International Organizations.
Katherine Comly ’20 – Recipient of Summer International Law Fellowship
This summer, Katherine Comly ’20, will be interning for Global Justice Center, as a result of fellowship funded by alumna Mariellen Dugan ‘91. Global Justice Center is a non-governmental organization focusing on legal issues surrounding sexual and gender-based violence as well as sexual and reproductive rights based in New York. The internship will involve international criminal and human rights research and writing.
During her undergraduate education, Katherine majored in international affairs with a double minor in Security Policy and Latin America, so her path to International Law comes as no surprise. Katherine, who previously interned with the United Nations, was drawn to the law upon being taught by a former political prisoner under the Pinochet government: “My research of the use of sexual violence perpetrated by the Pinochet government for the class stirred something within me that led me to law school,” Comly said.
Comly is also a member of Seton Hall Law’s Jessup International Moot Court team.