International Legal Studies Week: Kate Van Akin JD ’11 Comments (0)

Guest blogger Kate Van Akin is currently a 2L at HLS.

I can’t seem to stay in the country for longer than six months at a time. Studying abroad was a huge part of my college experience, and when I graduated, I went back overseas to work as a paralegal in Dubai for three years before starting law school. I knew that I wanted to continue working overseas with/in foreign legal systems after I graduated, which is one of the main reasons I chose Harvard Law School. I was accepted to Harvard while living in Dubai, and once lawyers, clients, and government officials found out, they suddenly started asking my opinion on transactions, and I was given a tremendous amount of responsibility. The “legitimacy” that my Harvard acceptance conferred on me convinced me that my degree would open numerous doors for me internationally, based solely on brand name recognition.

Since coming to Harvard, I have had numerous opportunities to study international law. I started my 1L year assuming that I would go back to my law firm after graduating, but my 1L international law class (1Ls are required to take a course on international law in the spring of their first year and can choose from seven different topics) opened my eyes to the variety of options available internationally to Harvard lawyers. Academically, I am interested in the Middle East and the convergence of Islamic law with “Western” (i.e. U.S. and English) law in the developing legal systems of countries in the region. While at Harvard, I have been able to take interesting courses such as “International Law and International Relations,” “International Human Rights Law,” and “Law and the International Economy.” I have also taken courses on corporations, business strategy, and terrorism. My plan has been to get a good grounding in these general topics, which I will then supplement with a semester abroad at the School of Oriental and African Studies. While at SOAS, I will take in-depth courses on Middle Eastern and Islamic law, which will fully round out my education. I’ll also have the chance to write a paper, under the supervision of Noah Feldman, in which I will further explore these topics.

I’ve also been able to maintain my connections with the Middle East while at Harvard. The most valuable opportunity I had was to design an independent clinical for the winter semester of my 2L year, during which I arranged an internship at the Dubai International Financial Center. While there, I was able to not only research the development of commercial legislation and regulations in Dubai, but also meet and network with high level people working within the organization. During the summer after my 1L year, I returned to Dubai to work as a summer associate for King & Spalding, and I will be returning again this summer to work for McKinsey. My ultimate goal is to work in a policy-advising capacity with regard to Middle Eastern issues and I know that, between the courses I have been able to take, the work experiences that have been available to me, and the people I have met while at Harvard, I will be well-positioned to realize that goal.

– Kate Van Akin