9 International Law Degree Jobs To Consider

If you want to pursue a law degree that will broaden the scope or applications of your potential career, consider pursuing a degree in international law. This is a broad academic subject that encompasses topics such as war, peace, diplomacy and rights. A degree in the subject can open opportunities to both a regular law career and employment with government or international organizations. In this article, we define international law, discuss some of the jobs you might pursue with a degree in the subject and provide some tips to consider when searching for jobs.

What is International Law?

Also called public international law and the law of nations, international law is an interdisciplinary subject concerned with the rules, regulations, principles and practices that govern or inform the relations between international actors, such as nations, international organizations and certain individuals. The scope of international law covers a broad range of topics, including but not limited to diplomacy, war, trade, human rights and space travel.

As an academic degree subject, international law is a master's level qualification conferred by law schools. It's available as a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, which provides advanced training in a specific field of law. Completion of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is a requirement for entry into an LL.M. program, though some law schools may offer a concentration in international law during your J.D. studies or allow a joint J.D. and LL.M. pursuit. You might also consider a Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) degree in international law, which prepares you for a career in research or teaching.

9 international law degree jobs

Here are nine jobs you might consider if you have a degree in international law:

1. Mediator

National average salary: $53,532 per year

Primary duties: A mediator is an impartial facilitator in the process of mediation, in which two or more parties aim to resolve a dispute. Mediators help such parties avoid taking disputes to trial by guiding them toward a settlement. The duties of a mediator include studying and analyzing each party's case in a dispute, educating the parties on the mediation process and guiding discussions and negotiations. Mediators commonly function in matters such as contract disputes, personal injuries and family law, but some mediators specialize in conflicts between international organizations.

2. Law professor

National average salary: $54,497 per year

Primary duties: A law professor is a university-level educator who specializes in law. Their common duties include writing course syllabi, creating lesson plans, meeting with and advising law students, administering and grading exams and teaching classes. Law professors teach at the master's level, so they may also help determine which applicants get accepted into their law program.

3. Judge

National average salary: $75,442 per year

Primary duties: A judge is a public official with the authority to conduct court proceedings. Their primary role is to interpret the law and its implications. They receive cases presented to the court and decide whether there's enough evidence to proceed. During trials, they act as an impartial party, ensuring that both the prosecution and the defense follow the protocols of law. Other common duties of judges include signing warrants, appointing counsel and determining sentences.

4. Policy analyst

National average salary: $80,764 per year

Primary duties: A policy analyst is a type of political scientist who seeks to influence or guide sound political policies. Their work involves identifying existing political concerns, collecting data about political issues, analyzing proposed solutions for their potential effects and making recommendations based on their expertise and findings. On an international level, policy analysts help their government to maintain healthy relationships with other political bodies.

5. Legal adviser

National average salary: $81,766 per year

Primary duties: A legal adviser, also known as an in-house counsel, is a lawyer who provides legal consultation to an organization. They typically specialize in the field in which their client operates. For example, a legal adviser for a financial institution is likely to have an education background in finance. Their duties include drafting and filling out paperwork, interpreting legal issues and documents, ensuring their client's compliance with applicable regulations and laws and providing advice about issues relating to the law.

6. Attorney

National average salary: $91,382 per year

Primary duties: An attorney is a lawyer who represents clients in court. Attorneys in international law represent nations or international organizations, typically handling cases within specializations such as immigration, finance and business. Like other lawyers, international attorneys meet with clients to discuss cases, complete and file paperwork, provide counsel about legal concerns, gather and analyze evidence and present their case in court.

7. Diplomat

National average salary: $97,444 per year

Primary duties: A diplomat is an agent appointed by a national government or international organization to create, maintain or improve its relationships with other entities. They meet with representatives from nations or organizations to engage in dialogue concerning matters such as culture, economics, trade, conflict, human rights and sustainability. They may also introduce and negotiate treaties or agreements and advise officials from their government on how to proceed on matters of international concern.

8. Chief legal officer

National average salary: $132,008 per year

Primary duties: A chief legal officer is the head of an organization's legal department. They often work for publicly traded companies, but the position may also be available in nonprofit and international organizations. They primarily aim to minimize the legal risks of their employer, advising executives on important regulatory concerns and potential causes of litigation. Other duties include ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and resolving compliance issues. In case of litigation, the chief legal officer may represent their employer or appoint an attorney to do so.

9. Corporate lawyer

National average salary: $142,018 per year

Primary duties: Corporate lawyers, also known as corporate counsels, represent corporations and guide them on matters pertaining to their legal rights, responsibilities and privileges. Aside from presenting cases in court, corporate lawyers commonly advise their clients on business transactions that involve complex legal considerations, such as mergers and acquisitions. They're also responsible for pursuing legal action against entities that encroach on their client's business, as in cases of copyright infringement.

Tips for finding jobs in international law

Here are some tips to help you find a rewarding career in which you can apply your degree in international law:

Search the websites of international organizations

If you wish to use your international law degree to work internationally, consider searching job listings on the official websites of international organizations. The United Nations, for example, has listings for open positions in the field of international law. Look through such listings for positions that interest you and see whether you meet the qualifications.

Be familiar with job titles

International law positions, particularly those with international organizations or abroad, often have titles that aren't obviously associated with the law profession. These include terms such as:

•Advocate

•Attache

•Ambassador

•Consultant

•Correspondent

•Diplomat

•Officer

As you search for available positions, try to look out for terms such as the above, which can lead you to interesting career opportunities.

Work on your foreign language skills

There are many international law positions abroad, but the ability to speak a foreign language may be among the qualifications for these jobs. To improve your candidacy for such positions, try to develop fluency in another language. French, German and Spanish are among the languages that professional in international law commonly speak.

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