In a world under pressure where global trade, multilateralism and development and humanitarian assistance are facing challenges, in-house counsel in international organizations play a key role as trusted business adviser. These legal professionals enable leaders to adapt their organizations to fast-paced and changing context, demanding quick adaptation and managing uncertainty. This course dives into the unique legal frameworks and practical challenges that arise within international organizations. Students will gain insights into the legal status and functioning of international organizations, their governance and the legal challenges they face. The course aims to bridge legal foundations with concrete examples and practice, focusing on diplomatic immunities and privileges, corporate governance, contracts, employment matters and dispute settlement, legal risk management, compliance and ethics and emerging legal trends such as safeguarding and data protection. Students will prepare, review and discuss case studies in class to reflect on the peculiar nature of the role, responsibilities and impact of in-house counsel in international organizations. Learning objectives: 1. Understand the various types of international organizations, their legal status and frameworks; 2. Explore the role and responsibilities of in-house counsel in international organizations and prepare for a career as in-house counsel; 3. Gain an understanding of the management of legal risk, compliance and ethics within an international organizations; and 4. Analyze case studies and real-world examples from international organizations. Elements used in grading: Class participation, two case study papers, final paper.
1 units · Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
In a world under pressure where global trade, multilateralism and development and humanitarian assistance are facing challenges, in-house counsel in international organizations play a key role as trusted business adviser. These legal professionals enable leaders to adapt their organizations to fast-paced and changing context, demanding quick adaptation and managing uncertainty. This course dives into the unique legal frameworks and practical challenges that arise within international organizations. Students will gain insights into the legal status and functioning of international organizations, their governance and the legal challenges they face. The course aims to bridge legal foundations with concrete examples and practice, focusing on diplomatic immunities and privileges, corporate governance, contracts, employment matters and dispute settlement, legal risk management, compliance and ethics and emerging legal trends such as safeguarding and data protection. Students will prepare, review and discuss case studies in class to reflect on the peculiar nature of the role, responsibilities and impact of in-house counsel in international organizations. Learning objectives: 1. Understand the various types of international organizations, their legal status and frameworks; 2. Explore the role and responsibilities of in-house counsel in international organizations and prepare for a career as in-house counsel; 3. Gain an understanding of the management of legal risk, compliance and ethics within an international organizations; and 4. Analyze case studies and real-world examples from international organizations. Elements used in grading: Class participation, two case study papers, final paper.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.