New ASIL Fellowship Program

The American Society of International Law has started a new fellowship program in international and/or comparative law. While it may be of particular interest to academics on sabbatical, a university position is not a requirement. Actually, I would especially encourage lawyers planning to enter the academic job market to look at this fellowship as a way to focus on their scholarship, broaden their knowledge of international law, and get to know the key players in the field. With all of the great programs emanating from (and fascinating speakers who come to) the ASIL’s Tillar House HQ, this promises to be an excellent opportunity for any interested international lawyers, and especially for those contemplating the AALS “meat market.”

The link to the ASIL website is here. The full text of the announcement is below:

Tillar House Sabbatical Fellows

ASIL is currently inviting applications for a new Tillar House Sabbatical Fellowship. Fellows are expected to spend 3 to 12 months in residence at ASIL’s Tillar House, located at Sheridan Circle, in the heart of Washington, D.C. during the 2007-2008 academic year.

The Sabbatical fellowship is intended to provide ASIL members with a Washington, D.C. institutional home during a sabbatical or other leave from their regular positions. Fellows are expected to be engaged in independent research in the field of international law and to contribute periodically to relevant ASIL Tillar House briefings and publications (such as ASIL Insights, International Law in Brief, and International Legal Materials). Fellows are also expected to serve as resident advisors on other ASIL activities within their field(s) of expertise, including with respect to outreach efforts to the media and to Congress.

Although the fellowship is unsalaried, ASIL will provide office space, computer, telephone, etc, as well as unlimited access to ASIL’s deFord Library of International Law.

Eligibility Requirements

Fellows must satisfy the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• JD or equivalent degree, with a concentration or focus on international and/or comparative law;
• At least three years prior professional experience involving international and/or comparative law;
• Record of scholarship;
• Strong writing and presentation skills; and
• ASIL membership

Application Materials

ASIL Sabbatical Fellow applications should include the following:

• Brief cover letter;
• Summary of proposed sabbatical research project(s);
• CV, including professional and educational experience, and list of publications;
• Short writing sample (5-10 pages) on a relevant international law topic; and
• List of (no fewer than 3) references;

Please submit application materials to:

Andrew Solomon, Director, Research and Outreach at fellowship@asil.org.

Application Deadline

• Deadline for fall 2007 fellowship is January 15, 2007.
• Deadline for spring semester 2008 fellowship is April 15, 2007.