Congratulations to Sean Murphy, Newly-Elected Member of the International Law Commission

Professor Sean Murphy of GW Law has been elected to the ILC. The press release from GW begins:

Today, Professor Sean Murphy was elected by the United Nations General Assembly to the International Law Commission (ILC). The Commission consists of 34 distinguished legal scholars, practitioners, and government officials from around the world who are elected to serve for five-year terms. Created in 1948, the objective of the ILC is to codify and progressively develop international law through restatements of the law, studies of legal topics, and draft treaties.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to serve on the ILC,” said Professor Murphy after his election. “It’s a terrific opportunity to contribute an American perspective to the Commission’s work, drawing on my experiences as both an academic and practitioner.”.

Sean is a excellent addition to the ILC. A lawyer’s lawyer with an impressive background as a government attorney, advocate, and scholar. The press release notes:

Before joining the Law School faculty in 1998, Professor Murphy served as the Legal Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, arguing several cases before the International Court of Justice and representing the U.S. government in matters before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and The Hague Conference on Private International Law. He also served as U.S. Agent to the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal, arguing cases on behalf of the U.S. government and providing advice to U.S. nationals appearing before that tribunal. Between 1987 and 1995, he served in the U.S. Department of State Office of the Legal Adviser, primarily advising on matters relating to international environmental law, international claims, and military affairs. Since leaving U.S. State Department, Professor Murphy has continued to represent numerous governments before international courts and tribunals. Professor Murphy has published widely, including a general treatise on Principles of International Law and casebooks on international law and on U.S. foreign relations law.

A great choice. Congratulations!