Co-Curricular Activities

Journals
Journal of International Law
Now in its thirty-seventh year, the student-edited Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law (JIL), is one of the oldest and most prestigious international law journals in the world. Under the Cox Center’s sponsorship, JIL publishes symposia and lectures on a wide range of international issues. JIL also edits a Book Series in Global Legal Reform.

Students are selected for positions on the journal through a writing competition in the summer after their first year of law school. Selected students complete a major research paper in their second year and take senior editorial and managerial positions in their third year. A special advanced international legal research seminar provides structured and rigorous support for the development and publication of student notes.

Canada–United States Law Journal
Since its founding in 1978, the student-edited Canada–United States Law Journal annually publishes the proceedings of the Canada–United States Law Institute annual international conference. Plans are underway to expand the journal to a second annual issue devoted to articles related to Canada-U.S. relations.

Moot Court Teams
Jessup, Pictet, and Niagara

Dean Korngold congratulates the award-winning 2004 Jessup Moot Court team.

The Cox Center sponsors and helps prepare teams that compete in the Jessup, Niagara, and Jean Pictet international law moot court competitions. Now in its forty-ninth year, the Jessup competition brings together five hundred teams from 130 countries to argue a simulated case before the International Court of Justice. In the Niagara competition, twenty U.S. and Canadian teams argue a simulated case involving a legal dispute between the United States and Canada. The Pictet competition involves thirty teams from a dozen countries in a variety of international humanitarian law simulations. Through these competitions, students learn about current international legal problems while developing their talents in oral advocacy. In 2001, Case became the first American law school to host the annual Pictet competition, which is usually held at a European venue. In 2003, 2004, and 2005, the Case team made it all the way to the final round of the National Jessup Moot Court Competition (Midwest Region), which it won in 2005.

Professors, students, parents and friends gathered for the end-of-the-year awards ceremony in the Journal of International Law office. Four Cox Service Award recipients celebrate above.

Student Awards

• Best grade in international law;
• Graduation with Honors in the International Law Concentration;
• Frederick K. Cox Service Award to graduating law students who make a special contribution to Center programs;
• Best student note completed by a second–year student participating on the staff of the Journal of International Law;
• Special award for service to the Journal of International Law.

"I was able to make good use of the joint programs with the business school. The combined international offerings gave my CV an excellent international business emphasis that helped me begin my career with a specialty focus in international tax in New York City. That early experience allowed me to easily make a move to a London firm." Scott C. Antel ('86) Ernst & Young Legal Moscow, Russia

International Societies and Groups
International Law Student Association
The International Law Student Association (ILSA) helps students pursue interests and opportunities in international law and practice. ILSA brings leading international scholars and practitioners to the law school and sponsors events such as international law career and internship panels, international potluck dinners, international music nights, and foreign language roundtables. ILSA is an active chapter of the national ILSA organization, and ILSA members participate in the fall and spring ILSA conferences. The ILSA faculty advisor, Center Director Michael Scharf, was ILSA Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2001-2004, and is currently an ex-officio member.

Greater Cleveland International Lawyers Group
A coastal city on the U.S.-Canada border, Cleveland is a major international trading center with thirteen European consulates. In addition, it is home to several of the most prominent international law firms and multinational corporations in the world. With more than one hundred active members, the Greater Cleveland International Lawyers Group is one of the largest groups in the country of lawyers engaged in international practice. Our students are invited to attend monthly noontime presentations at the City Club of Cleveland by leading lawyers in international and foreign legal practice. GCILG and the Center subsidize lunch and travel expenses. These gatherings offer students monthly networking opportunities, show them the real world of international legal practice, and augment their scholarly pursuits with practical and contemporary information from a variety of global experts. Recent speakers have included Nicholas Rostow, Chief Counsel to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Sean Hagan, Assistant General Counsel for the International Monetary Fund, and Professor Leila Sadat, member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Interaction with LL.M. Students
Each year since its inception in 1992 approximately fifty lawyers from around the world join our law school community to study in our Master of Laws (LL.M. in U.S. and Global Legal Studies Program. In addition to earning an LL.M., students may earn a certificate of concentration in Intellectual Property, Public International Law, International Business Law, and Health Law. Our J.D. students have the opportunity to work closely, as mentors, with LL.M. students, many of whom go on to high-ranking legal positions in their home countries. Through such interaction, J.D. students develop long-lasting relationships, learn about foreign legal systems, and develop communication skills with lawyers from other legal cultures.