Desiree LeClercq

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq featured by Bloomberg Law

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq was featured by Bloomberg Law regarding a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The article titled “Foreign Forced Labor Suit Tactic to Shift After Justices’ Ruling” was written by Khorri Atkinson and published 7/9/26.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Labor and Employment Student Association, and the International Law Students Association.  

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq publishes article in Columbia Journal of Transnational Law  

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq published “Workers’ Empowerment as U.S. Trade Policy” in 64 Columbia Journal of Transnational Law 326 (2026). 

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Labor and Employment Student Association, and the International Law Students Association.  

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq featured by Foreign Policy


University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq was featured by Foreign Policy regarding international trade and labor law. The article titled “Trump’s New ‘Forced Labor’ Tariffs Are a Fig Leaf” was written by Keith Johnson and published 6/4/26.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Labor and Employment Student Association, and the International Law Students Association. 

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq featured by CNBC

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq was featured by CNBC regarding international trade and labor law. The article titled “Trump’s trade war has a new target: forced labor. The case behind it is far from simple” was written by Paxton Honerkamp and published 6/9/26.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Labor and Employment Student Association, and the International Law Students Association. 

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq featured in Economic Policy Institute article

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq was recently featured in an article published by the Economic Policy Institute. The article, entitled “U.S. Customs blocks about $0.8 billion worth of goods a year on suspicion of forced labor,” was written by Ed Gresser on April 8, 2026.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Labor and Employment Student Association, and the International Law Students Association. 

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq publishes article in the International Economic Law and Policy Blog

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq recently published an article entitled The Section 301 Surge Continues: Investigating the Adoption/Enforcement/ Administration of Forced Labor Import Bans in the International Economic Law and Policy Blog.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Labor and Employment Student Association, and the International Law Students Association. 

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq elected to the International Labor Rights Case Law Editorial Board

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq was elected to the editorial board of the International Labor Rights Case Law (ILaRC) journal. The ILaRC journal is a leading academic publication that annotates and analyzes global jurisprudence regarding fundamental rights at the workplace.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Labor and Employment Student Association, and the International Law Students Association. 

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq speaks at the Texas International Law Journal symposium

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq presented as part of the Texas International Law Journal symposium titled “Critical Perspectives on AI: Security, Governance, Labor and the Environment,” held in February at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law and the Labor and Employment Student Association. 

Georgia Law partners with the Washington International Trade Association to present second annual webinar about careers in international trade 

The University of Georgia School of Law partnered with the Washington International Trade Association (“WITA”) to present a second annual webinar about careers in international trade and law. This webinar was part of WITA Academy’s ongoing Pathways to Opportunity Series: Careers in International Trade & Law, through which law students and undergraduates are able to learn about career opportunities in international trade and law from law firms and trade professionals.

Moderated by Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq, this year’s panel included:

  • Introductions from Diego Añez, Executive Director, WITA Academy; Managing Director
  • A panel discussion featuring:
    • Bethany Davison, Associate, Mowry & Grimson (B.S. Georgia State University; J.D. Georgia State University College of Law)
    • Samuel Negatu, Director, Government Affairs, Consumer Technology Association; former Senior Advisor, U.S. House of Representatives; former Assistant General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (B.A. University of California, Santa Barbara; J.D. Washington University in Saint Louis)
    • Brian Soiset, Attorney, U.S. International Trade Commission; former International Attorney, U.S. Department of Commerce (B.A. University of Georgia; J.D. William & Mary University; LL.M. Queen Mary University of London)
    • Paul Thornton, Attorney, Office of the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce (B.A. Hampden-Sydney College; J.D. American University Washington College of Law)

During the panel discussion, students were able to gain insights from trade law experts, engage with policymakers and legal practitioners, and explore career opportunities in international trade law from government, companies, and law firms. Students gained a unique perspective on the wide-ranging career paths available in the trade law and policy community, creating connections with key players across both the public and private sectors.

A recording of the panel is available to WITA members. To join, email: events@wita.org

Georgia Law Professor Desirée LeClercq presents about trade policy at UC Berkeley School of Law

University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq presented “Workers’ Empowerment as U.S. Trade Policy” as part of the Work Law Colloquium at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in February 2026.

LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches Contracts, International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, U.S. Labor Law, and Public International Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law and the Labor and Employment Student Association.