By Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights – Osgoode
Students interested in international law often ask what it takes to find a career in this highly competitive and amorphous area of law. What is the recipe for success and where do I find the ingredients? At last month’s International Law Career Panel, hosted by Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights – Osgoode (CLAIHR-Osgoode), three panellists tried to outline these criteria. I say “try” because the panellists could not agree on the perfect recipe for a successful international law career. However, they were able to outline three key ingredients all aspiring lawyers should have: a specific interest within international law, credibility in that area and most importantly, perseverance. Admittedly, these three criteria are quite broad and abstract. So to help students conceptualize these attributes and to provide a concrete example of their impact, we would like to share the journey of a young and accomplished international lawyer: Katharine Marsden.
Katharine Marsden is an Associate Legal Officer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), working in the Appeals Division of the Office of the Prosecutor. Her career, however, did not begin in the hallowed courtrooms of the United Nations, or even in the area of international law. Katharine studied sciences in CEGEP and then completed a commerce degree at McGill University, two relatively diverse academic streams. She was initially reluctant to consider a legal career, but after a gap year, Katharine made the decision to attend law school. This decision was premised on the intention to pursue international human rights, her primary interest within the law. To Katharine, this career trajectory was non-negotiable; she had found her specific interest. Now it was time to gain experience and credibility within the field.
Katharine held several positions related to human rights after law school. She worked as a refugee lawyer and an evaluation advisor at the Quebec Human Rights Commission. Some of her most valuable experiences, however, were outside of Canada. Katharine had interned at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Tanzania and with the Al-Haq Organization in Palestine. She credits these experiences with bringing her one step closer to working within international law. Her experience in Palestine enabled her to observe a regional conflict first-hand and to navigate a diverse and dynamic setting. While working for the ICTR, allowed her to gain familiarity with an international tribunal and its inner workings, preparing her to later work at the ICTY. Although there is no magic recipe to becoming an international lawyer, Katharine stresses field and tribunal experience as important ingredients; they add tremendous credibility to your resume.
Since being called to the Bar, Katharine has clearly achieved many successes in her international legal career. These accomplishments are a direct result of her continued perseverance. Katharine admits that she did not have the highest grades in law school and she faced periods of unemployment throughout the beginning of her legal career, mainly because of limited job opportunities in this distinct area of law. Many aspiring lawyers may view these periods as roadblocks in their career. We do not want to understate the personal and financial difficulty of these periods, but as in Katharine’s case, if you are able to persevere, they can be viewed as speed bumps that you must and can roll over. Katharine continued to apply for jobs within international law even though she was not getting immediate traction. “In fact, the hiring process for the ICTY took several months to even complete. Although a lengthy process, Katharine’s perseverance clearly paid off as she began working for the ICTY in September 2013.”
Katharine Marsden’s career path took its own course, but is evidence of the impact of the three criteria highlighted above. In finding her specific interest within international law, gaining credibility in that area, and continuing to persevere, she has been able to achieve a career in international law. CLAIHR-Osgoode would like to help all students navigate these three steps. We are currently looking to develop an online career resource featuring job postings, testimonials and other information pertinent to becoming an international lawyer. If you have been inspired by Katharine’s story and would like to be a part of building this exciting initiative, please contact us at claihr.osgoode@gmail.com or check out our Facebook group for more information.
The views expressed herein are those of Katharine Marsden alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Tribunal or the United Nations in general.