Over 50 law students convened for the 13th annual Salzburg Global Cutler Fellows Program in Washington, DC
From February 20 to 22, 2025, the 13th annual Salzburg Global Cutler Fellows Program: International Law: Comparative Voices and Viewpoints convened in Washington, DC, gathering over 50 students from 14 of the top law schools in the United States. This year’s Cutler Fellows engaged with experts from the U.S. government, the private sector, and academia to learn the urgent need for diverse perspectives in international law to address global challenges.
The Cutler Fellows Program, which is held by Salzburg Global’s Lloyd N. Cutler Center for the Rule of Law, works in partnership with 14 of the leading law schools in the U.S.: University of California Berkeley, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University, Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, University of Michigan, New York University, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, the University of Virginia, and Yale University.
Before the in-person program, Cutler Fellows met for a virtual panel featuring a candid discussion on the African perspectives on the achievement of human rights and sustainable development through international law. The panel was moderated by Muna Ndulo, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of International & Comparative Law, Cornell Law School; Raymond Atuguba, Dean and Professor of Law, University of Ghana School of Law; Tafadzwa Pasipanodya, Partner, Foley Hoag, LLP; and Elise Keppler, Executive Director, Global Justice Center.
The in-person program began with a welcome reception, during which Cutler Fellows engaged in a fireside chat with Nina Totenberg, Correspondent, Legal Affairs, National Public Radio; Brian Richardson, Associate Professor of Law, Cornell Law School; and Bill Burke-White, Richard Perry Professor of Law, Penn Carey Law School. The conversation was both insightful and thought-provoking, as the panelists delved into the complexities of presidential power and the courts during the second Trump administration. The discussion centered on the latest executive orders and how federal courts had responded, offering the students a front-row seat to the intricacies of these important legal debates. It was a particular privilege to hear from Nina Totenberg, whose extensive connections to Supreme Court Justices like the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lent a unique depth to her perspective. With her trademark clarity, Nina shared not only her expertise but also her personal predictions on how the federal courts might navigate these turbulent times.
The following morning, Cutler Fellows participated in workshops by faculty representatives from partner schools to refine their papers for academic journal publication. It was an energizing and collaborative atmosphere as students received valuable feedback from both renowned scholars and their peers. The papers this year spanned a remarkable range of topics, ranging from the international legal practice of the United States to international humanitarian law, among many others. In addition to discussing executive summaries of student notes, book projects, and work products, the session fostered a cooperative environment where peers could continuously exchange ideas and gain fresh perspectives—creating a lasting dialogue that extended well beyond the three-day program.
After workshops, students heard from leading practitioners and academics on international law in times of political peril. The panel discussion featured Jared Genser, Managing Director, Perseus Strategies; Alka Pradhan, Human Rights Counsel, Guantanamo Bay Military Commissions; Clovis Trevino, Partner, Covington and Burling LLP; and Mark Wu, Henry L. Stimson Professor of Law, Harvard Law School. During lunch, Cutler Fellows engaged with Benjamin Wittes to learn about writing for policy audiences through a partnership with Lawfare.
In the evening, Cutler Fellows gathered at the Austrian Embassy with Salzburg Global friends and Fellows for the 11th annual Lloyd. N. Cutler Lecture, titled “The Devaluation of Liberty and Defence of the Rule of Law.” This year’s lecture was delivered by Robert Amsterdam, founding partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, who shared his stories and lessons learned from his extensive work to advance the rule of law around the world, including representing clients in the Russia-Ukraine war.
On the final day of the program, Cutler Fellows participated in the ever-popular “Knowledge Café” sessions to discuss their personal goals and motivations with mentors and experts in international law. This year’s Knowledge Café featured Katherine Yon Ebright, Counsel, Liberty & National Security, Brennan Center for Justice and a 2017 Cutler Fellow; Akiva Fishman, Director, Nature-Based Solutions, World Wildlife Fund and a 2012 Cutler Fellow; Donna Faye Imadi, Associate, Atkin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Barbara Medrado, Associate, International Trade, King & Spalding LLP; Zach Mollengarden, Attorney Advisor, International Affairs, U.S. Department of Treasury; Gomiluk Otokwala, Senior Counsel, International Monetary Fund; and Katrin Kuhlman, Professor of Graduate and International Programs, Georgetown University Law Center.
Throughout these informal yet meaningful conversations, students were able to explore different career paths in international law. For many, it was a chance to ask questions they had long been pondering, to receive candid advice about navigating complex career paths, and to hear personal stories of mentors who had once been in their shoes. The openness of the discussions made it clear that these mentors weren’t just experts—they were genuinely invested in the Fellows’ success and future growth. By the end of the session, students left not only with practical guidance but also with renewed inspiration and clarity about the possibilities ahead in international law.
The program concluded with a panel event titled “International Law and the Second Trump Administration,” which explored the impact of the administration’s transition on the U.S.’s practice of international law. Participants included John Bellinger III, Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP and Board of Directors, Salzburg Global; Carrie Cordero, Robert M. Gates Senior Fellow and General Counsel, Center for a New American Security; Marik String, Senior Fellow for National Security Law, Strauss Center for International Security and Law, University of Texas School of Law; and Lori Damrosch, Hamilton Fish Professor of International Law and Diplomacy, Columbia Law School.
The Cutler Fellows Program provided aspiring lawyers with a valuable opportunity to build confidence in pursuing careers in international law. Participants gained a clearer understanding of future opportunities and renewed confidence in their ability to seize them. They connected with like-minded peers and mentors, fostering a supportive network that will continue to inspire them beyond the program.
Learn more about the Lloyd N. Cutler Center for the Rule of Law.
