Law students at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law who have any interest in international law will find a home with the International Law Society (ILS).
ILS is the University of Utah chapter of the larger International Law Student Association, which seeks to educate students and lawyers around the world in the principles and purposes of international law and comparative legal systems.
According to Connor Arrington, ILS president, almost any legal topic could be considered international law.
“The cool thing about the International Law Society is it allows conversation on almost any issue,” he said. “Most issues that are happening here in the US are global issues as well. It allows for a whole host of opinions and there is room for diversity in the discussion.”
Arrington said that topics that are important to ILS members include international conflict, human rights issues like human trafficking, and international trade and tariffs.
ILS hosts two important annual events. The International Food Fest, which occurs during fall semester, is the organization’s primary fundraising event. Members of ILS ask for food donations from local restaurants that offer international cuisine. ILS then organizes a lunch featuring food from across the globe for anyone to enjoy, charging a small cover fee to raise money. In 2018, the ILS International Food Fest featured cuisine from Ethiopia, India, the Mediterranean, Germany, Mexico, and other countries.
During the spring semester, ILS hosts a Trivia Night as a way to raise funds for an internationally-focused nonprofit organization in the community. In 2018, all proceeds from the Trivia Night were given to the SPICE Kitchen Incubator, an organization that focuses on creating food business opportunities for refugees and disadvantaged individuals. This year, the Trivia Night event is set for March 1.
Along with these two annual events, ILS occasionally holds panels and brings in guest speakers that have an international perspective. And before the end of the school year, ILS hopes to create a reference guide for law students who are interested in legal opportunities outside of the United States, such as conferences, workshops, internships, and full-time jobs.
“Doing something in another country can be a really rewarding experience, but it takes a lot of time and work to make it happen,” Arrington said. “We are hoping to be able to help guide students through that process.”
Students who are interested in joining the International Law Society can contact Arrington at connor.arrington@law.utah.edu. They can also reach out to Jordan Greene, ILS vice president, or Elisabeth Ferguson, ILS secretary. Organizational dues for 1Ls are $20 (which covers membership for the remaining time in law school), $15 for 2Ls, and $10 for 3Ls.