University of Georgia School of Law student Carolina Mares (J.D. ’25) recently completed an externship in Washington, D.C., in the Office of the Legal Adviser at the Department of State. This externship forms part of Georgia Law’s D.C. Semester in Practice initiative. Mares arrived at Georgia Law after working as a middle school French and Spanish teacher in Atlanta, GA. Her law school experiences have included serving as a student-attorney on immigration matters in the Community HeLP clinic, participating in a summer internship in international arbitration at a law firm in Tunisia through the Global Externship Overseas initiative, and contributing to the Georgia Law Review as author of “Operation Lone Star: Laying to Rest the Notion that Immigration is an Invasion” (forthcoming, May 2025). Below, Mares reflects on her experiences as an extern with the Office of the Legal Adviser last semester.

I entered law school with a clear vision: to build a career in international law. The specifics of what that entailed, however, were admittedly hazy. Determined to clarify my path, I adopted a holistic approach to exploring the field. Over three years, I immersed myself in international law courses, participated in summer global programs, and worked as a student attorney in the immigration clinic–all in search of work that would ignite my passion. Time and again, these opportunities reaffirmed my commitment to serving others and deepened my love for all things international. The culmination of this journey was an eye-opening semester in Washington, D.C., where I had the privilege of working at the Office of the Legal Adviser at the Department of State, known affectionately as “L.” It was there, in the beating heart of our foreign affairs, that I found the spark I had been seeking, anchoring my resolve to work in international law and public service.

The Office of the Legal Adviser

Often described as the government’s international law firm, the Office of the Legal Adviser (L) comprises roughly 300 attorneys. This powerhouse is divided into 23 offices, each corresponding to one or more of the State Department’s bureaus. These include regional offices focused on specific areas of the world and functional offices dedicated to specialized subject areas. As a full-time extern, I worked with the regional office for African and Near Eastern Affairs and the functional office for Management.

The core mission of L is to provide counsel. Attorney-advisers assist policymakers in shaping and implementing U.S. foreign policy while promoting the development and adherence to international law and its institutions. As an extern, I spent my days assisting the attorney-advisers through contributions that took the form of research, writing, and briefings. Over the course of four demanding months and close to twenty research assignments, I cultivated these skills at a breathtaking pace. Meanwhile, I delved deeper into international law topics I had only skimmed in class: peace agreements, international humanitarian law, human rights, international organizations, foreign assistance, law of the sea, the International Court of Justice, the Freedom of Information Act, and Executive Orders. Each assignment helped me grow, providing a challenge that expanded my understanding of the intricate and dynamic world of international law. 

Beyond satisfying my intellectual curiosity, the work at L was deeply rewarding. Whether defending humanitarian assistance or contributing to ceasefires, the focus was on alleviating human suffering and fostering positive change. I was surrounded by colleagues who were fiercely dedicated to human rights, and despite slow progress at times, their unwavering commitment and passion were inspiring. Each of them offered a unique example of how I could shape both my career and my life, and I am profoundly grateful for having had the opportunity to learn from them. 

Soft Power

One moment that stands out from my semester occurred about two months into my externship when I was invited to tag along to an L softball game. The day was crisp and breezy, with the Jefferson Memorial peeking through the trees surrounding the fields. Attorneys from L arrived in small groups, wearing jerseys emblazoned with their team name, “Soft Power.” After a quick warm-up, the Japanese Embassy team arrived, and the game began. I settled onto a picnic blanket with attorneys from the Office of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. As we chatted about work and life in D.C., the game played on, and before long, it was over. 

After the game, we gathered at the Japanese Embassy for sushi and pizza, and the Acting Legal Adviser, Rich Visek, took the floor. “I assumed we would lose, like we always do,” he quipped, self-deprecatingly. But this time, victory was ours. He adjusted his remarks, and he expressed gratitude for the embassy’s sportsmanship and willingness to host the tradition. It was a beautiful event, a symbolic celebration of the enduring relationship between our nations.

It was only later that I fully grasped the significance of the team’s name, “Soft Power.” On the surface, it evoked the image of a formidable softball team. But it was also a clever nod to the essence of diplomacy–a country’s ability to influence and build relationships through persuasion and collaboration, rather than coercion. This concept of soft power perfectly encapsulated the work I observed at L. Even amid escalating global conflicts, the undercurrent of our efforts was diplomacy–quiet, persistent, and impactful. Whether through policy discussions or friendly softball games, the power of diplomacy was ever-present, shaping the world in ways both visible and unseen. 

My semester at L was more than an externship; it was a defining chapter in my journey. It deepened my passion for international law, sharpened my skills, and introduced me to extraordinary mentors who embody the values I hope to carry forward in my career. Most importantly, it solidified my belief in the power of service–and the enduring impact of soft power–to make a meaningful difference in the world.