Minorities in International Law Documents

PRACTICING LAW AT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S OFFICE OF THE LEGAL ADVISER

The Office of the Legal Adviser furnishes advice on all legal issues, domestic and international, arising in the course of the Department's work. This includes assisting Department principals and policy officers in formulating and implementing the foreign policies of the U.S., and promoting the adherence to and development of international law and its institutions as a fundamental element of those policies.

Attorneys in the Office are at the forefront of the important international issues faced by our country, whether they are working to respond to humanitarian crises, to prevent human rights abuses, to promote international trade and resolve international disputes, to create a more livable world, or to help foster peace and security. They work directly with high-level U.S. and foreign officials, the Congress, and the White House staff. While almost all of the Office’s attorneys are based in Washington, their work may require them to travel overseas on a “temporary duty” basis to most anywhere in the world for bilateral and multilateral negotiations, dispute resolution efforts, or an unlimited range of other diplomatic missions.
Attorneys negotiate, draft and interpret international agreements involving a wide range of matters, such as peace initiatives, arms control discussions, trade-liberalization agreements, international commodity agreements, consular conventions, and private law conventions on subjects such as judicial cooperation and recognition of foreign judgments.
They also work with Department officials on legislative initiatives and draft and interpret domestic statutes, Departmental regulations, Executive Orders, and other legal documents.

They represent or assist in representing the U.S. in meetings of international organizations and conferences and many UN programs and represent the U.S. before international tribunals such as the International Court of Justice and the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal, as well as in international arbitrations. The attorneys work closely with the Department of Justice in litigation in the U.S. and foreign countries affecting the Department’s interests and have had increasing opportunities to represent the Department in domestic courts and administrative courts before the Foreign Service Grievance Board, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, and in contract disputes, Boards of Contract Appeals.

The Office is comprised of approximately 200 permanent attorneys and about 100 support staff, including paralegal specialists, treaty analysts, secretaries, and general administrative personnel. Although all are stationed in Washington, DC, attorneys from the Office also fill on a rotating basis legal adviser positions at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, the U.S. Missions in Geneva, and several other overseas posts.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must submit a comprehensive resume that includes information about their educational background and scholastic standing, academic and other honors, professional experience, other government or military experience, publications, and other relevant attributes such as language skills. A copy of the applicant’s law school transcript and a list of three academic or professional references must accompany the application.

Please submit applications on line to legaljobs@state.gov, or fax to 202-485-8650. Further information about the Office of the Legal Adviser and the application process is available at http://www.state.gov/s/l/3190.htm.

Attached is a chapter from the 6th Edition of the Employment Law Review describing the international workplace and the (legal) status of diversity programs and initiatives around the world.

For a list of diversity fellowship programs for law students at law firms, see: http://www.nalp.org/memberdiversityinitiatives

For a report generally on the diversity gap within the legal profession, see: http://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2013/12/10/raising-the-bar-expl...

Report describing the unique circumstances and preconceptions faced by lawyers with disabilities.

Article advocating that lawyers do more to advocate for diversity in the profession.

Last year’s 2013 Diversity Benchmarking Report, reflecting on a decade of data, indicated upward trends for minority and women attorneys, greater representation of LGBT attorneys, and a greater commitment to diversity resources. However, it also reflected challenges in the equity-partnership model for minorities and women, and high levels of voluntary attrition for these groups.

The New York City Bar’s signatory firms saw both diversity gains and losses in 2014. Firm support for diversity efforts continued to grow over the last year. However, attrition remains a persistent challenge. Representation of minority attorneys fell in 2014. Representation of women fell at the special counsel level but was steady for all associates, countered by an increased representation of women in the leadership ranks.

This report reviews attorney metrics regarding diversity support, women and minorities.