In the article, Chauvet-Maldonado makes the case that cultural intelligence, or the capability to function effectively across various cultural contexts, is a critical skill for international lawyers. She observes that, in the evolving landscape of international engagement, international lawyers are functioning as “de facto diplomats,” and thus this skillset is more pertinent now than ever. Chauvet-Maldonado provides best practices for organizations preparing international legal actors, including:
Integrate cultural intelligence into the hiring criteria
Provide immersive cultural and legal training
Recruit for diverse perspectives
Establish feedback loops
Mentor for cross-cultural competence
Reward cultural stewardship
Chauvet-Maldonado is an international lawyer working within the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) as a Nuclear Nonproliferation Regulatory Specialist. Prior to joining ORNL, she worked as a Nonproliferation Policy and Law Analyst on the Legal Frameworks Team at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She also served as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva on behalf of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists where she advocated before the Human Rights Council and liaised with foreign stakeholders in high-level discussions. Prior to that, she worked in the Law and Policy Forum at the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, developing the case study supplement accompanying the ICRC’s Guidance Tool on International Humanitarian Law for the Judicial Sector. She also clerked for Honorable Chief Judge Tusan of Fulton County’s Superior Court in Atlanta, Georgia, up until her retirement. Chauvet-Maldonado is a member of the Dean Rusk International Law Center’s Advisory Council.
Vyas: I enjoyed Complex Litigation with Professor Elizabeth Burch. It was a challenging course, but Professor Burch is amazing. She has so much knowledge about the topic and structured the class around discussion so that we were all able to learn together. I also enjoyed hearing from two judges who were guest speakers.
Menon: It’s hard to pick, but before UGA Law, I never had the opportunity to learn about the field of privacy law. I enjoyed Global Data Privacy in Practice with Professor Joe Kaufmann. This is a field that I will continue to explore when I return to India.
What was the most surprising or unexpected aspect of law school in the United States?
Vyas: I was so impressed by the time management skills of my peers. One of the best pieces of advice that I received was from a 2L who recommended that I do my assigned readings daily rather than letting them accumulate, since it is very difficult to catch up. At JGLS, we of course have assigned readings, but there are smaller assessments throughout the semester that assist you with structuring your time. Here, since grades are only based on the final exams, you have to manage your assignments and your time independently of those benchmarks.
Menon: I was surprised by the fact that law school is a self-taught environment, which I experienced firsthand in my classes. Students teach themselves the material throughout the semester, and their understanding is perfected by the professors in classes. This is a markedly different approach than the pedagogical approach in Indian law schools, where I would describe the classroom experience as being more guided by the professor. At UGA Law, professors treat students as professionals right, and I think that this learning environment helped me to grow both as a law student and as a person.
What was your favorite thing about living in Athens?
Vyas: Being from New Delhi, India, I would consider myself to be a big city person. However, I fell in love with the small-town vibe of Athens. It has such a unique character and sense of community, especially on football game days and for community events like the Wild Rumpus. Everyone in Athens is also incredibly warm and welcoming.
Menon: The best thing about Athens is that it is a town full of life and character. The transformation of Athens on gamedays was something that I have never seen before. I loved the culture around college football here and how it is something that is enjoyed across generations. For example, when I was walking around campus during a home game, I came across so many families dressed up in their UGA gear and with faces painted, all equally enthusiastic about cheering on the Dawgs. In India, this sort of team spirit for professional sports is usually limited to young adults. It was refreshing and fun to see it be shared among young and old alike here in Athens.
What will you tell your JGLS classmates about your semester at UGA Law?
Vyas: The education is very challenging and helped me to break out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I would tell them that if they are seeking a challenge and opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth, they should participate in a semester-long exchange at UGA Law.
Menon: I would tell them that academically, they will have access to incredible faculty and courses at UGA Law. Of course, the experience will be difficult, but it will be worth it. I also think that there are a lot of similarities between JGLS and UGA Law that will lessen the transitional period and will help students to maximize their time here on campus. Everything from the climate to the academic rigor is similar.
What would you like UGA Law students to know about JGLS?
Vyas: If you participate in a semester-long exchange at JGLS, you’ll have access to a wide range of courses. It’s a great place to expand your academic horizons and get a non-western perspective on legal topics. You’ll also have the opportunity to make life-long connections with students and faculty who themselves have global networks and communities. It will definitely be a cultural adjustment, but people will be very welcoming and it will be such a worthwhile experience for on all levels.
Menon: Western culture is very different from Indian or Asian culture. JGLS offers a sweet spot between the two: it is an Indian community that is very international and inclusive. I think it is the perfect opportunity for an American student to experience and learn about India and its legal system while still retaining many touchpoints of familiarity. Like our exchange experience here in the United States, it will be an opportunity for incredible growth.
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The University of Georgia School of Law offers a semester-long international exchange for J.D. students with our institutional partner, O.P. Jindal Global Law School. This exchange offers students access to a wide range of international law courses and professors, as well as unique professional development opportunities. This immersive placement allows students to take courses in English while living on campus and becoming part of an international law community. Through the tuition-exchange model, students pay their regular tuition to UGA Law for the semester, in addition to a small pre-determined fee by JGLS.
UGA Law is now accepting applications for students interested in spending the fall 2024 semester at JGLS. For more information about the exchange program, please visit our website.
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