Catholic University's Comparative and International Law Institute (CILI) conducted its annual collaboration with the Polish Embassy to present "An International Career Panel and Networking Reception," held on April 12, 2016 at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, D.C.

Each spring, the evening gathering permits CUA Law students who are interested in developing careers in international law to meet with practicing CILI graduates to learn more about the skills and preparation that are necessary to succeed in the field. Fifty attendees heard welcome remarks from Minister Maciej Pisarski, Deputy Chief of Mission, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland; Daniel F. Attridge, Dean and Knights of Columbus Professor of Law; and Dr. Rett R. Ludwikowski, Director of the International Business and Trade Summer Law Program, Columbus School of Law.

After the opening remarks, each panelists talked to how they got their starts, mobility in the sectors they work in, and how important the network they built was as they grew their careers. Speakers for the international career panel included: Tomasz Chmal, Partner, White & Case; Mark R. Ludwikowski, Member, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; Naianka Rigaud, Associate, Erickson Immigration Group; and Dr. Ludwikowski offered closing remarks and introduced to the audience Geoffrey R. Watson, the new Director of the Comparative and International Law Institute, Columbus School of Law.

After the panel concluded, the panelists joined the audience for a reception. This allowed students, alumni, faculty, and guests to ask further questions, get caught up with old friends, network, and simply enjoy the atmosphere of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.

The Institute supports two main academic options for overseas study:

The International Business and Trade Summer Law Program, referred to as the Cracow Program, was established in 1992 to expose students to the wide range of skills required for success in the rapidly changing international arena. This summer, the Cracow Program will celebrate its 25th collaboration between The Catholic University of America and the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland.

The International Human Rights Summer Law Program ("Rome Program") was offered for the first time in 2011. Students explore essential questions of human rights law in a beautiful city that has played a central role in religion, history, art and culture. The Rome Program wass on hiatus in summer 2015, but is offered again this summer.