One of IU Law-Indy's greatest strengths is in the field of international law, aided by relevant course offerings, study abroad programs, the LLM program, and various student groups. Bolstering that image, the International Law Society, the Hispanic Law Society, and the Committee on Diversity Initiatives hosted an International Practitioner Panel today from 5-6 P.M. today in Inlow Hall.

The panel included a diverse set of attorneys in Indianapolis practicing international law. Two of the panelists, Mr. Edward Delaney (Partner, Delaney & Delaney) and Mr. David Williams Russel (Partner, Harrison & Moberly) work in the field of international trade. Mr. Zack Dong (Partner, Baker and Daniels) focuses on international mergers & acquisitions as well intellectual property law. Finally, Angela Iza (Associate, Lewis & Kappes) and Sarah Moshe (Associate, Broyles, Kight & Ricafort) both work on immigration law.

After each panelist described their backgrounds the session opened up to questions. The panelists were asked various questions regarding tips for law students considering a career in international law. Mr. Delaney stressed the need to learn at least one other language and the other panelists universally agreed. Mr. Russel stressed the importance of basic lawyering skills, saying that before one may be a successful international practitioner, he or she must develop skills in reading and interpreting large statutes as well as sharp networking experience.

Finally, the panelists all agreed that flexibility is a key. Most of them did not specifically plan on becoming international practitioners when they were in law school and took indirect paths to the practice. Mr. Delaney did recommend taking at least a couple international law related courses to get a basic understanding of some of the issues involved and to help one decide whether it's field he or she would be interested in pursuing.