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Welcome to our space!

We are happy to launch the first of several monthly editions of the International Connection. The International Connection was created as a mouthpiece for NBLSA’s International Relations Committee. The International Relations Committee has adopted 4 goals for this academic year:

1. To celebrate cultural diversity within NBLSA
2. To help NBLSA members successfully prepare for careers in International Law
3. To change the structure of the Black Law Students International Division
4. To keep NBLSA members aware of issues affecting black communities in the global village

This blog will serve as a vehicle to further these four goals.

The International Relations Committee (IRC) will focus on celebrating the diversity of NBLSA during the 2007– 2008 term. NBLSA members have roots in countries all over the world and there is so much we need to learn about each other in order to form a stronger alliance and accomplish our common goals. The IRC will release a list of activities that can be done during the International Week of Service to help chapters get in touch with the cultural richness of their membership, as well as learn about the wider black community in the international community.

The IRC is further invested in helping more NBLSA members get internships in International law. The IRC will feature discussion pieces on internship opportunities, resume building, finding mentors in International Law, finding people in International Law and learning about the work of our peers in the International legal field.

The IRC will also work on helping the International Law School Division build stronger coalitions in their regions. The IRC is working on creating an African Coalition of Black law students as well as a Caribbean coalition of law students. The IRC will work with these groups to increase the general body’s awareness of issues affecting black communities in the global village. This year our focus is on Haiti, and we will also focus on issues such as child labor and trafficking and of course AIDS. NBLSA’s International Relations Committee is working hard to help you prepare for a successful career in International Law. Every month we will highlight the stories, the tips, the news and the people of International law. We welcome you to look at our blog spot to find the information you need to help you as you plan a successful career and learn more about the committee. We further ask for your contributions to the IRC blog, to share your experiences of International Law on this blog with the wider membership, comment on articles on Facebook and the blog, and post news stories of interest on the blog and on facebook.

We look forward to hearing from you.



Young Black Professionals in International Law

INTRODUCING MS. MAGDA THEODATE

This month, Thallen Womack Brassel of NBLSA spoke to Ms. Magda Theodate about her career in International Law. Ms. Theodate's bio is followed by excerpts from Ms. Womack's conversation with Ms. Theodate.

Ms. Theodate is a U.S. and France trained attorney, and recognized specialist in public procurement matters with multi-lateral entities. She is admitted to the State of New Jersey Bar, and has over nine years of international experience in her field.

Currently, Ms. Theodate is the Regional Procurement Specialist for the Caribbean, with the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC. In that role, she provides advice to five countries (Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago) on the management of procurement issues related to IADB loans. Ms. Theodate also has expertise in the area of international public sector reform, with emphasis on procurement and contracts policy reform. She has worked with the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development in Paris, France, the World Bank’s Africa Region, as well as the US Congress, and a private law firm.

Ms. Theodate is a US national, and fully fluent in French and Spanish. She has lived and/or worked in the U.S., Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Ms. Theodate answers our questions about the making of her career.

How I broke into the field of international law:

I always knew I wanted an international career, working with clients and colleagues from around the world. I chose The American University Washington College of Law for law school because I knew that the School and its dean, Claudio Grossman, valued international experiences and encouraged law student study abroad programs. Through the law school's exchange program with the University of Paris X-Nanterre in Paris, France, as well as one semester spent in an internship with the International Chamber of Commerce, Court of Arbitration, I knew that I was on track to having a rewarding career as international lawyer.

Advice to aspiring African-American law students:

First, I would encourage students to join the American Bar Association Section of International Law. The Section has terrific resources, both in terms of people and information, to help you once you make the decision to pursue a career in international law. Second, I would recommend creating plan A, B, and C (all inter-related) for your personal and professional development; a sort of mission statement, if you will. If one plan fails, go to the next. Then, take stock of the skills and assets you have to advance your plan, creating alliances to help you along the way (and whom you can help down the line), and remaining persistent. Lastly, stay humble, be grateful for your blessings, and be patient. I suffered through some difficult years in and out of law school, including family issues, two trans-Atlantic moves by myself, and unemployment, but I knew where I wanted to go, and had an idea what it would take to get there. I committed to making my dreams come true, but remained flexible to the unexpected curve balls life sometimes threw me.

Most Recent Publication(s): "Working Abroad: What You Need To Know To Make It Happen." American Bar Association Section of International Law Newsletter, Winter 2006/Spring 2007.