Comparative and International Law Institute (CILI)

The Comparative and International Law Institute (CILI) is a certificate program designed to give students the opportunity to pursue a concentration of courses in the public and private areas of international law. Students are encouraged to submit an application to CILI at the same time they enroll in the J.D. program, but may apply no later than the end of their third semester in law school, providing space is available in their respective graduating class. CILI applications submitted along with the application to the J.D. program will not be reviewed until the applicant is accepted to the Law School.

Students enrolled in the program are required to take at least five courses in international and comparative law, as well as complete an externship in an international organization, law firm, or company. The externship, taken for either three or four credits, carries a mandatory classroom component entitled Legal Externship: Becoming a Lawyer. Public International Law, one of either Comparative Law or Law of the European Union, and one of either Comparative and International Trade, or International Business Transactions are required of all participating students. The two elective courses may be selected from the entire International Law curriculum, which includes, but is not limited to, Immigration and Nationality Law, International Organizations and Human Rights, International Regulation of Telecommunications, International Criminal Law, International and Comparative Taxation, and International Intellectual Property Law.

In addition, students who seek a broad grounding in the issues that arise in an international practice are encouraged to consider courses in Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques, Conflict of Laws, and Comparative Law.

To view course descriptions for the courses listed above visit the latest edition of the Catholic Law Catalog Announcements.

While it is not guaranteed that all these courses are offered every academic year, most are taught on a regular basis. Many courses are taught on a rotating basis, and occasionally, special seminar classes are introduced to the curriculum. Students who would like to do some writing in any of these areas may be able to do so by enrolling in directed research.

Participation in the Institute does not carry a scheduling priority for any course. Students must, however, plan their academic programs with care and in consultation with the program director.