College of Law Nurtures Next Generation of Global Leaders

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law’s Center for International Law and Justice (CILJ) concluded its first year of operation by organizing eight coveted international law internships for its students. Nine students are also participating in study abroad programs in England, France, Italy, South Africa and Spain.

“The International Law Internship Program is one our signature programs,” said Jeremy Levitt, Ph.D., associate dean for International Programs and director of CILJ.

The International Law Internship Program provides practical work experiences that enable students to gain advanced legal knowledge and skills within an organization, industry or functional area that reflects their academic and professional interests. It also provides law students with firsthand knowledge of the culture, language, politics and law of foreign states and institutions.

CILJ has organized eight highly coveted international law internships this summer in five countries on four continents as part of its International Law Internship Program. This year’s summer international law interns include: Rebecca Gardiner (1L), Caribbean Court of Justice, Port of Spain, Trinidad; Danielle Hernandez (2L), Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Washington, D.C.; Daniela McCalla (1L), Supreme Court of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; Candice McKinley (3L), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Arusha, Tanzania; Shawn McCullers (1L), Interpol, Bangkok, Thailand; Donna Robinson (1L), Supreme Court of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; Lissette Shepherd (1L), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Arusha, Tanzania; and Karen Skyers (2L), Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Washington, D.C.

“Responding to the needs created by globalization is one of the greatest challenges facing legal education in the 21st century,” said FAMU College of Law Dean LeRoy Pernell. “The CILJ is our answer to these challenges.”

According to Levitt, FAMU College of Law ranks among the top law schools in the country in organizing international law internships for its students, and likely leads the country in placing women and persons of color. Eight out of nine of this year’s interns were women of color.

“The International Law Internship Program offers students transformative experiences that will enable them to value humanity beyond our borders,” said Levitt.