Eunkwang Ha (’24), Two-Year LLM Program alum, legal scholar, and romance writer.
Since graduating from Georgetown’s Two-Year LLM Program last May 2024, Eunkwang Ha has been busy. And not just burning the midnight oil in her government job at South Korea’s equivalent of the Federal Trade Commission.
As a mother of two and a South Korean professional studying abroad in the United States, one of my top priorities for our family’s time here was to visit Orlando. My children had endured quite a bit of disruption as I pursued my professional goals, and I felt visiting Disney World and Universal Studios would be a bit of recompense. Although I wanted to use a package deal from a Korean travel agency, it was not a good choice because I needed to stay at hotels connected to Disney World and Universal Studios. Due to the self-preferencing of Disney World and Universal Studios, staying at affiliated hotels was more advantageous and convenient for enjoying the theme parks. Orlando hotel price hikes cannot be solely attributed to market competition; they result from monopolistic dominance and abuse of power by Disney and Universal Studios. The situation appears to have worsened over time, but U.S. competition authorities show no inclination toward regulation.
This indifferent stance extends beyond Orlando, as these authorities tolerate self-preferencing on various platforms. We now live under the influence of dominant companies known as GAFA, a situation starkly highlighted in the 2013 Google case, where U.S. authorities gave a green light to self-preferencing practices that led to substantial fines and sanctions in Europe and South Korea, respectively. Amid growing concern about technology platforms’ power, competition authorities recently introduced five antitrust bills, aiming to strengthen the regulation of companies like Google and Amazon. However, judicial uncooperativeness and legislative failures hampered these efforts, and they continue to present challenges for the future. Addressing these challenges will require a macroscopic perspective, emphasizing expert judgment over economic modeling. Comprehensive advocacy efforts should focus on common sense, historical experience, and ethical considerations. This is more crucial than refining economic models, as the notion that such models alone can prevail against large corporations in court is unrealistic. Agencies have limited resources for economic modeling, while business enterprises possess greater capabilities for not only modeling but also lobbying and legal expenses. Redirecting efforts from economic expertise to comprehensive public outreach is essential.
And then she also wrote a romance novel that won a competition in Korea which led to a Korean drama company purchasing the rights to the story which is now being made into a TV drama! She said the novel is pure romance and not law-related. But she was clearly honing her novel-writing skills while studying law at Georgetown, commenting in a recent email to me, “I remember how exciting it was as a novelist to write the hypothetical scenarios in your class.”
Ha additionally waxed nostalgically about her time at Georgetown Law and living in the US:
“It has been over four months since I left the U.S. and returned to Korea. I resumed my position as an Korean FTC official in September. These days, we are in the midst of the national audit, so there have been occasions where I have had to stay up all night working. But even though I have been back in Korea for a while, I still can not forget the beautiful natural landscapes of the U.S. and the relaxed, friendly people. I have many fond memories of my time there. I still remember how exciting it was as a novelist to write the hypothetical scenarios in your class.”
We have many fond memories of you and your Two-Year LLM classmates as well, Eunkwang. 🙂
Are you an alum of the Two-Year LLM Program who wants to share an update? Just email Stephen Horowitz at sh1643@georgetown.edu and share your update. We’re always glad to hear from you.
Law schools in the US have become increasingly aware of and attuned to the range of cognitive learning issues that law students may deal with. I remember how counter-intuitive that seemed to me the first time I learned about this topic several years ago: “How could someone even get into law school if they have cognitive learning issues?” my brain naively wondered.
And the answer is that learning issues include things like ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), neurodivergence (e.g., autism), and dyslexia. And perhaps it even overlaps with anxiety, which often can present in the form of various learning issues.
In the context of foreign-trained lawyers and law students in LLM, JD and MSL programs in the US, the topic of course can be particularly tricky. In part because of cultural differences in attitudes towards and awareness of learning issues. And in part because it’s much more difficult to identify or diagnose issues when someone is operating in a second or third or fourth language. Is a student’s struggle with reading a function of language or of a learning issue? It’s hard to know. And in the case of dyslexia, there’s even a case to be made (in this TikTok video clip by @etymologynerd) that the nature of written English may cause more problems for people with dyslexia than other written languages do. So it’s possible that a foreign-trained law student in the US could struggle with dyslexia studying in English when it was not an issue for them studying in their home language.
I’m not aware of any specific solutions or research or discussion related to the intersection of learning issues and foreign-trained lawyers and law students in US law schools. But I think if nothing else, it’s helpful and important to bring awareness to such students, as well as to faculty and administrators who work with them, that these issues are out there and are very much on law school’s radars these days in a way they were not at all back when I was a law student in the 1990s.
Here’s a Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode (474) titled “Thriving in Law School with ADHD (w/ Rawi Nanakul.”
In this episode they discuss:
>Rawi’s personal journey and ADHD diagnosis
>Identifying ADHD signs
>The difference between the help provided by a doctor, a therapist, and an ADHD coach
>A few specific scenarios that might play out for students struggling with ADHD
>The importance of self-care and professional help
If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!
Thanks for listening!
Alison & Lee
Note: The Georgetown Legal English Blog has no affiliation with the Law School Toolbox Podcast or its parent organization JDSupra. We just thought this was a helpful episode to share.
My summer internship at Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown (TCMB) in Rio de Janeiro exceeded all my expectations, becoming one of the most enriching experiences of my life. The idea of pursuing an international internship first took root two years ago, during my time in Austin, Texas.
In 2022, after arriving in the U.S., I enrolled in the Academic English Program at the University of Texas at Austin (UT). After a year of intensive language study, I realized that pursuing a Two-Year LL.M. would be the ideal next step for two main reasons: (i) It would provide a comprehensive understanding of the American legal system, which is essential for my career, and (ii) it would offer the opportunity for an international summer internship, enhancing my global legal exposure. I vividly remember the moment I received the email from Georgetown inviting me to join the program—I was attending the International Energy Conference in Miami, organized by the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), and I couldn’t stop smiling. It was the perfect convergence of events, reinforcing that I was on the right path.
The journey to secure the internship was a focused effort. From the outset of the LL.M. program, I set a clear goal to gain practical experience in the energy sector. I was diligent in attending energy conferences and networking with professionals, ensuring the right people knew my aspirations. Through these efforts and consistent conversations, my former professor Norman Nadorff and my friend Leandro Duarte advised me to apply for a specific internship opportunity. I followed their advice, applied, and was thrilled to receive the positive news.
I joined the Oil & Gas Practice Team at TCMB in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Working alongside many professionals I had already connected with through international conferences and professional platforms like LinkedIn. My responsibilities included conducting legal research, drafting energy contracts, assisting in creating business plans for clients interested in investing globally, and preparing legal reports and memos. My previous legal experience, combined with my first academic year at Georgetown, proved invaluable. For example, the Contract Drafting course with Professor Dundon directly aligned with my first assignment at the firm. I was tasked with reviewing an oil and gas contract, and the project was almost identical to my final exam in Professor Dundon’s class. Although I was initially nervous because a partner personally assigned me the task, I recalled that I had earned an ‘A’ in the course and used the same approach, adapting the content to the specific legal regime involved.
Additionally, skills from my U.S. Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing course with Professor Hoffman and Legal Writing with Professor Lake were more beneficial than I had anticipated, allowing me to contribute effectively and meet tight deadlines.
My experience at the law firm exceeded my expectations in several ways:
As a native Portuguese speaker, I naturally expected that most of my work in Brazil would be conducted in Portuguese. However, to my surprise, nearly all of my assignments were in English. This unexpected shift not only challenged me but also provided a great opportunity to refine my professional English skills, which made the experience even more rewarding.
I expected the firm, given its size and reputation, to have a highly pressured, perhaps even distant, working environment. Instead, I found the atmosphere to be friendly, collaborative, and supportive. The partners, contrary to the stereotype of “Big Law,” were approachable and down-to-earth.
The workload was intense, but the dedication and enthusiasm of my colleagues were inspiring. I often found myself working late into the night alongside peers, and no one ever complained. The shared sense of purpose and drive to excel, especially among those younger than me, was both fascinating and motivating.
In conclusion, my internship at TCMB not only solidified my professional skills but also reshaped my perceptions of the legal industry. The unexpected challenges, such as working extensively in English and the fast-paced environment, pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The collaborative culture and the dedication of my colleagues made the experience truly fulfilling. This journey reaffirmed my passion for international energy law and demonstrated the value of seizing opportunities, building meaningful connections, and continuously pushing my own boundaries. I feel more confident and prepared for the next phase of my career, with a clearer vision of the impact I want to make in the global legal landscape.
Salome Adeishvili, Georgetown Law Two-Year LLM, 2023-25
Post by Salome Adeishvili, who just completed her first year of Georgetown Law’s Two-Year LLM and will graduate in Spring 2025. Salome is from a small town called Samtredia in Georgia. Fun fact from Salome: Samtredia translates as “three pigeons.” 🙂
Do you want to know how it all concluded? We have reached the satisfying moment when you can tuck this experience away on the imaginary shelves of your mind and the real lines of your resume. Let’s delve into the final facets of a summer externship that are worth reflecting on before you close this chapter.
In the first part of this blog, I will wrap up the discussion on the final steps of Georgetown University’s requirements and share my thoughts and experiences on crafting the Reflection Memo, as I promised in my second post. In the second part, I will discuss the value of externships for multilingual international lawyers. In the third part, I will discuss the strategies to develop professional growth and skills during an externship. In the conclusion, I will reflect on how transformative this externship has been for this new chapter of my academic and professional career.
Crafting the Reflection MemoÂ
In this part, I will be guiding you on how to effectively approach writing your Reflection Memo at the end of your externship. The Reflection Memo is a critical component of your externship experience, allowing you to thoughtfully analyze and document what you have learned, how you have grown, and how your experience aligns with your career goals. I will share three important strategies on how to stay engaged with these reflective topics throughout your placement to ensure that when the time comes to write your memo, you will have a wealth of insights ready to shape into a meaningful reflection.
First, to prepare for writing the Reflection Memo, it is essential to approach your externship with an active mindset, continuously engaging with the key topics the memo will cover. Throughout the externship, you should keep in mind the questions you need to answer, allowing you to reflect on your experiences throughout the externship.
Second, during the semester, your externship supervisor from Georgetown University will most likely point out specific topics and areas that can inform your memo. This guidance is invaluable, as it helps you know what to pay attention to and what reflections will be most relevant to your final write-up. As you work on cases or engage in various tasks, consider how these activities align with the organization’s mission and your initial expectations. Pay attention to surprising elements of the work environment or your responsibilities, as these will form a crucial part of your reflection. It is also beneficial to observe how your skills develop over time, noting specific tasks that contribute to your growth. Take note of any lessons or insights gained that go beyond classroom learning, as these will be valuable in your reflection on the most important takeaways from the externship.
Third, use the expected discourse conventions for the Reflection Memo. In the first year of my Two-Year LLM program, I took Fundamentals of Legal Writing I and II. These courses were crucial in teaching me how to write like a US legal professional, focusing on US writing styles tailored for legal readers. This approach was entirely new to me, as I had not previously encountered this style of legal writing in my career. I highly recommend paying close attention to these classes, as they will be invaluable not only for writing your Reflection Memo for the externship but also for crafting any academic papers during your second year.
In summary, writing a strong Reflection Memo requires ongoing engagement with your experiences, noting your evolving thoughts, and advanced writing skills, all while keeping in mind the specific guidance provided by your supervisor.
Why is it valuable to do an externship/internship for multilingual international lawyersÂ
In this part, I will cover two key benefits of an externship: gaining real-world experience in a different legal system and enhancing language skills in legal contexts.
Real-World Experience in a Different Legal SystemÂ
As a multilingual lawyer from a Civil Law country, engaging in an externship has been essential for me. It has given me the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in a Common Law system, which is quite different from what I am familiar with. This exposure has been crucial in helping me understand the nuances and complexities of practicing law in a jurisdiction other than my own. Before I can fully step into the role of an attorney and take on all the responsibilities that come with it, I needed to have this experience. It prepared me for the challenges of working in a Common Law system, ensuring that I am well-equipped to navigate this legal system with confidence.
Enhanced Language Skills in Legal Contexts
Being multilingual is undoubtedly an asset, but using multiple languages in a professional legal setting takes those skills to a higher level. It helps refine your language abilities, especially those that rely on legal terminology and formal communication. In this context, it is not just about translating words but truly understanding the legal concepts behind them. Sometimes, literal translations of legal terms can lead to confusion, as the same word might mean something entirely different in another legal system. This is why asking questions and seeking explanations about legal terms is crucial. For a lawyer coming from a non-English-speaking country, this experience is invaluable. It helps you become proficient in the legal language of another country, setting you apart in the global legal market and ensuring that you can navigate complex legal discussions with confidence and clarity.
Growth and Skills: Lessons Learned and Future Advice
This part of the blog will cover how I have grown in my professional skills and how these skills will benefit my future career and LLM studies.Â
Growth as a Legal Professional
At the start of my externship, managing my time and handling complex immigration cases was tough. I felt overwhelmed and struggled to keep up with the fast pace. But as I practiced and adapted, I became more efficient and organized. The feedback from my supervisor attorney was incredibly helpful, turning my challenges into learning opportunities. My advice is not to get discouraged. Even if progress can feel slow, keep moving forward, practicing, and doing your best. Every small step counts, and, with persistence, you will eventually find yourself making significant strides toward success.
Skills to Take into My Legal Career and LLM
The skills I have developed during this externship will be pivotal for my future career. I have gained a solid understanding of US Immigration Law, which aligns with my professional interests. As I progress into my second year and take courses on Immigration and Refugee Law, this practical experience will provide a significant advantage. Conversely, these courses will address any gaps in my theoretical knowledge. Together, this blend of hands-on and theoretical experiences will equip me to handle complex legal issues with confidence and professionalism.
For future students, my advice is to make the most of your externship by aligning it with the field you plan to study and work in. Choose a placement that complements your academic and career goals, and strive to gain as much practical experience as possible. Your externship is an opportunity to build a strong foundation for your future career, so embrace it fully and do your best.
Conclusion
In wrapping up this journey, it is clear that an externship offers far more than just a glimpse into the professional world—it is a transformative experience that shapes both your legal skills and your career outlook. From mastering the art of reflection to navigating a new legal system and honing language skills, every challenge encountered is an opportunity for growth. As you prepare to take the next steps in your career and academic pursuits, remember that the insights and experiences gained during your externship will serve as a solid foundation for your future successes.
To speak of my experience, this journey, once daunting, now sits neatly on the shelf of my professional life, ready to support the next steps in my LLM studies and beyond. I got my second happy ending. But just as one chapter closes, another begins. Is there a prospect of a third happy ending to this story?
I received a job offer from my externship firm, which I happily accepted. There will be more to share about that in the future, in a different time and place, but for now, let’s savor this accomplishment and look forward to what comes next.
Salome Adeishvili, Georgetown Law Two-Year LLM, 2023-25
Post by Salome Adeishvili, who just completed her first year of Georgetown Law’s Two-Year LLM and will graduate in Spring 2025. Salome is from a small town called Samtredia in Georgia. Fun fact from Salome: Samtredia translates as “three pigeons.” 🙂
July 2024
Dear Diary (and Future Readers),
Are you curious about what happens after the happy ending? After all those celebratory LinkedIn posts about securing an externship? The truth is that adjusting to a new position is not always smooth sailing. Yes, life marches on after the happy ending, but it is not all roses and unicorns. The first steps are often filled with fear and doubt, which is a natural part of life. But I am here to share my experience of navigating these uncertain moments and the fear of not fitting in. Hopefully, you can benefit from reading about my journey.
In the first part of this blog, I will cover the technical aspects of an externship, particularly how to ensure that you fulfill Georgetown Law’s requirements and deadlines so that your hard work pays off. In the second part, I will share my experiences in the field itself. The latter will have subsections that will discuss my externship journey, highlighting the skills I already possessed, areas where I aimed to improve, and practical advice for future students preparing for similar opportunities.
Technical aspects of the externship
At the start of your externship, you will receive a detailed email from the director of the LL.M. Academic Externship Program outlining your duties and deadlines for various required document submissions. Make sure to mark all the dates and carefully check that you complete each required step. Key documents include the Externship Goals Form, Weekly Sheets, and the Reflection Memo.
In the Externship Goals Form, you will (1) outline your objectives and (2) detail the legal skills you hope to develop, the types of professional experiences you aim to have, and how you plan to achieve these goals. You will also need to reflect on the feedback your externship supervisor provides about your goals. Thinking ahead about your goals can shape your path and motivate you to excel in your externship.
Weekly Sheets need to be filled out at the end of each week. They capture what you learned, what you did, and how those experiences influenced your perspective on the externship. This weekly summary can help to sum up those five days of your life and reveal the dynamics of your work, showing whether your path is monochromatic – routine and unchanging – or multi-colored – out of your comfort zone and full of exciting challenges.
The Reflection Memo is due at the end of the externship. Since I still have a month to go, my thoughts on it are still forming. I will share my experience of writing the Reflection Memo in my third and final blog post about my Summer Externship.
Field experienceÂ
In this part, I’ll reflect on my externship experience, focusing on the skills I brought to the table, those I needed to develop, and advice for future students preparing for similar opportunities.
 Skills I Already Had
Before starting my externship, I had the advantage of completing the first year of my Two-Year LL.M. Program, which included a comprehensive course, Introduction to the US Legal System. This class provided me with a solid foundation in the workings of the US legal system and the key principles of the common law. Additionally, my US Legal Research Analysis and Writing class taught me how to draft memorandums effectively, a skill that proved invaluable during my externship. Approaching assignments, especially memos, with confidence and clarity was a direct result of this training.
Moreover, the US Legal Research Analysis and Writing class taught me how to use Westlaw to look up precedent cases, equipping me with essential research skills. This is particularly beneficial for students from countries with civil law systems who are not familiar with common law research techniques. This preparation gave me an edge over other externs who might not have had the same training, especially in conducting research on common law and related issues. Learning these skills in my LL.M. program was incredibly beneficial, setting me up for success in my externship.
Skills I Needed to Develop
Despite my strong background, I quickly realized that excelling in a law firm required developing new skills, especially for multilingual, international students like myself. Sharpening my communication skills and improving my time management became top priorities. The ability to clearly verbalize ideas and efficiently manage multiple tasks is crucial in a fast-paced legal environment, where even a single punctuation mark in an email can significantly alter its meaning and tone.
While my LL.M. program at Georgetown Law did not formally cover these nuances, insights into correct communication skills were subtly embedded throughout classes, particularly in Fundamentals of Legal Writing. This class introduced us to the world of US legal writing and its practices. My Drafting Contracts professor often emphasized that small stylistic mistakes in emails could unintentionally convey disrespect, despite our good intentions. This lesson underscored the importance of understanding the unwritten rules of business communication in the legal world. Adjusting to these nuances has been crucial for navigating different cultural and work ethic norms, ensuring I communicate effectively and professionally in my role.
 Advice for Future Students
In addition to the other points I have discussed, another top piece of advice for students preparing for an externship or internship is to remain vigilant and proactive. Always seek clarification when uncertain and do not hesitate to ask questions, regardless of how trivial they may seem. Double and triple-check your work meticulously, as you will be dealing with real cases that can have a significant impact on people’s lives. It’s crucial to verify everything with your supervising attorneys to prevent errors. Remember, this experience goes beyond theory—it’s about real-world practice where mindfulness is crucial.
In conclusion, the externship journey extends far beyond the initial excitement captured in celebratory LinkedIn posts. This journey will push you to grow, adapt, and learn how to navigate both the technical demands and the practical realities of the legal profession. From meticulously managing documentation and setting clear goals to refining communication skills and adapting to new cultural and professional norms, each aspect of your externship can contribute to your personal and professional development. Each step towards the second happy ending – completing the externship – marks both personal growth and readiness for the challenges ahead in the legal profession.
******************
Are you a current student or an alumnus of the Georgetown Law Two-Year LLM Program? Would you like to write a post or series of posts for the Georgetown Legal English Blog with your own experience, advice, or ideas? Just email Prof. Stephen Horowitz at stephen.horowitz@georgeown.edu.
Post by Sokunthyda Long, a Fulbright recipient who graduated from Georgetown Law’s Two-Year LLM Program in 2023, passed the New York bar, and is part of the restitution team in repatriating artifacts back to Cambodia.
From interviewing former looters at remote cultural sites to being featured on a 60 Minutes segment by Anderson Cooper on the repatriation of Cambodian artifacts, my team at Edenbridge and Brad Gordon, along with the support and partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and other important liaisons, have been successful in returning hundreds of artifacts back to Cambodia.”
I started out as a legal intern at Edenbridge Asia in 2020 where I was involved in the repatriations of looted Cambodian artifacts. The team and I, along with other relevant stakeholders, are currently working to set up the Cambodian Treasures Foundation to focus on repatriation of statues and preservation of cultural heritage. My work consists of interviewing former looters, documenting evidence, and negotiating with museums, private collectors, and other dealers to return looted artifacts. These investigations have resulted in various significant returns, including the recent return of 14 artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in July, 2024.Â
While matriculating at Georgetown Law’s Two-Year LL.M. Program with a focus in International Business and Economic Law in 2021, I was taught necessary skills to further my statute repatriation work. The Two-Year LL.M. Program provided me with more time to understand the legal world, especially in international legal diplomacy. I came to understand the significance of soft diplomacy in navigating through the intricacies of politics and economics of international relations. My legal writing and analysis courses have been critical in my understanding of expressing necessary legal arguments to other parties. I am able to draft letters, negotiate, and make requests for provenance research in a more professional manner. The Fundamentals of Legal Writing classes taught me to write with a reader in mind, a skill I developed and have since practiced in my current employment. Further, it is a skill I use in other contexts as well such as conveying my thoughts and rationale to team members, former looters, the media, and other persons in my everyday life.
Applying the knowledge and skills I learned at Georgetown Law to my current work, I am able to communicate with museum directors, cultural experts and other associates in a more confident manner when it comes to consulting and negotiating on returning or loaning the artifacts. It felt incredible to celebrate the returns of the 14 artifacts from the Met, especially the ones I personally researched back in 2020, where I went to the pillaged site and saw the bases and other fragments there. I talked to the former looter to gather more information about it, such as the size of the artifact, the period style, the medium, and any other necessary information that would help make our evidence stronger. It was rewarding to be able to go to the airport and watch the artifacts arrive, proving that the work the team and I did really led to remarkable results.
Despite all of this media coverage, I have to admit that it’s still a bit unbelievable to me that we got the Met to return the artifacts. But I’m extremely proud to have been able to contribute to the effort.
Below are photos provided by Long:
Long at a cultural site back in 2020. “We did some research there and know what was taken out, but haven’t been able to locate those specific items yet, so they’re most likely with private collectors or in a warehouse somewhere.”Long with one of the repatriated pieces from the Met. “The piece is called Uma or Parvati and she’s from Koh Ker. This is one of the pieces I specifically did research on, and I saw her base/pedestal in Koh Ker in 2020.”Koh Ker. “I took this photo in March, 2024 right after I came back to Cambodia. I saw the monks and the blue umbrella and just thought that the color contrast was wonderful!”Angkor Wat. “I took this photo in March, 2024 while conducting a field study on Cambodian cultural heritage with cultural experts, contemporary artists and museum associates.”
Seok, who is a Senior Manager for Korea Securities Depository and will continue his legal studies in an SJD program this coming fall, cited his work with Prof. Heather Weger in the Fundamentals of Legal Writing course–which all Georgetown Two-Year LLM students take in their first semester–and with Prof. Weger and Prof. Paula Klammer in the Advanced Scholarly Legal Writing course taken during Seok’s second semester of the program.
According to Seok, “I learned how to effectively write a paper in English from the FLW/ASW class. First, I learned how to write a systematic outline. Before the class, I just wrote a rough table of contents when writing. The systematic outline, from the main to the detailed contents, helped me write better. In addition, this class taught how to ensure readers can easily understand the argument through the appropriate placement of main and supporting sentences and anticipate the flow through roadmap sentences. Also, I learned to write a paper concisely by reducing minor facts and simple materials. Lastly, the FLW/ASW class also taught us that the process of reading and revising the paper multiple times is really important. I greatly appreciate Prof. Weger’s and Prof. Klammer’s teaching for two years. It will be of great help in my future SJD course!”
Standardizing a Global Regulatory Framework: Lessons Learned from a Comparative Study of the U.S., the E.U., and South Korea’s Regulation of Crypto Assets
Ji Woong Seok
ABSTRACT*
Since 2009, various crypto currency tokens (commonly called coins) have emerged, utilizing innovative technologies like blockchain and distributed ledger technology to establish decentralization of finance. The starting point of decentralization was Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin paper about payment without intermediaries. Since Bitcoin boomed, many experts have predicted that blockchain-based crypto currencies such as Bitcoin, will replace current payment methods and facilitate a shift from centralized to distributed systems of transactions. Furthermore, the public recognizes crypto assets as new objects of investment.
In response to these changes, global market players are developing new financial instruments and systems, and governments have been establishing regulatory frameworks for over ten years. The United States (U.S.) has utilized existing regulations, such as commodities regulation, to respond quickly, while the European Union (E.U.) and South Korea have pursued regulation through new legislation to regulate crypto asset industries.
Lastly, the regulatory direction should focus on stabilizing the market, preventing unfair practices, and ensuring investor protection. Moreover, continuous monitoring and international cooperation are needed for the evolving crypto asset industry.
In this paper, I argue that we need a standardized global framework to regulate crypto assets. This conclusion is drawn from analyzing cases in the U.S., the E.U., and South Korea with global regulatory approaches. Specifically, the pros and cons of each country’s regulations covering the “creation and sale of crypto assets,” “crypto asset-related business,” and “investor protection” were examined.
*This article is based on an assignment submitted for the CMDTY & Derivatives Markets class (Prof. Peter Malyshev & Paul Hayeck) at Georgetown Law.
Salome Adeishvili, Georgetown Law Two-Year LLM, 2023-25
Post by Salome Adeishvili, who just completed her first year of Georgetown Law’s Two-Year LLM and will graduate in Spring 2025. Salome is from a small town called Samtredia in Georgia. Fun fact from Salome: Samtredia translates as “three pigeons.” 🙂
May 2024
Dear Diary (and Future Readers),
Are you interested in finding an externship in the US? My diary is here to guide you. I am excited to share my experiences and insights that led me to secure an externship as a Georgetown Law student. In my diary, you will be able to follow my steps closely. This established path aims to make your future endeavors smoother and more rewarding. I will outline four crucial steps in chronological order to help you navigate the process successfully. The first step involves preparing all the necessary documentation. The second step covers the process of finding an externship. The third step focuses on preparing for the interview. The fourth step outlines the administrative steps required to make your externship official.
Preparing your documentation
The first step is crucial for building a strong foundation: gathering the necessary documentation. This documentation includes your resume, professional references, personal statement, and writing sample.
Begin by refining your resume using the available resources at Georgetown Law’s Office of Graduate Careers. Start this process early in your first semester, as perfecting a resume takes time, and you will need it ready when it is time to apply for externships.
Next, gather your professional references. List at least three references, selecting a mix of professors and former or current employers.
Then, draft a general personal statement in advance to adapt it based on different positions. This allows you to easily adapt it to fit the specific interests and requirements of each firm or organization you apply to.
Finally, have a writing sample ready. Many organizations will request one. Obtaining a writing sample from your courses in your program is quite efficient. If you are in the One-Year LL.M. at Georgetown Law, try to take a class in your first semester with a paper requirement (e.g., USLRAW or a seminar course.) If you are in the Two-Year LL.M. Program, you can use your USLRAW memo or your second-semester Fundamentals Legal Writing II paper.
The Process of Finding an Externship
For the second step, set aside a specific time each day to focus solely on finding externships across various platforms. Make this a daily habit and prioritize it over other commitments, including midterms, exams, assignments, or social activities. Begin this process early in the semester, ideally 3-4 months before you wish to start your externship, whether in summer, fall, or spring.
When searching for externships using different resources, use keywords like “summer externship/internship for law students,” with or without mentioning a specific organization. If you are interested in a particular field, include related keywords. For example, I was looking for opportunities at an immigration law firm, so I added “immigration” to my above-mentioned keywords.
One set of resources is available exclusively for Georgetown Law students: Symplicity, a Georgetown Law database of employers and job opportunities, and TIP Symplicity, the pre-approved externships database created especially for Georgetown Law students. Another set of resources is widely available, LinkedIn, a professional networking platform that connects you with industry professionals and job postings, and Indeed, a comprehensive job search engine. Combine these with other relevant job search platforms to maximize your chances of finding externship opportunities.
Also, manage your applications with an Excel sheet/Word document to track companies, deadlines, documents, and follow-ups. Regularly update your spreadsheet and stay proactive to enhance your chances of securing an externship. Consistent effort and dedication will significantly increase your chances of finding the perfect externship.
Preparing for the Interview
For the third step, take advantage of Georgetown University’s services and schedule a mock interview with the Office of Graduate Careers. While you may have previous interview experience, different countries often have unique ways of talking about their experiences and potential value to a company or organization. To highlight these qualities, utilize the resources provided by the university to ensure you are well-prepared.
Make Your Externship Official
After successfully securing the position, if you plan to accrue credit in an externship, ensure you complete all the necessary administrative steps. Fill out an LL.M. Externship Application Google form and request that your future employer complete the Supervision Agreement for Externship Field Supervisor form and send it to Molly Jackson. This ensures your hard work is recorded and Georgetown University Law Center awards you two hours of academic credit.
In conclusion, navigating the externship journey as a Georgetown Law LL.M. student involves laying a strong foundation by preparing essential documentation, dedicating consistent time to the Process of Finding an Externship, utilizing university services for interview preparation, and finalizing administrative requirements to make your externship official and to ensure credit for your hard-earned result. By following these steps diligently and leveraging all the available resources, you can enhance your chances of securing a rewarding externship experience that aligns with your career goals and aspirations.
**********
P.S. Would you prefer to get paid for your work? If so, you should consider an internship. The main difference between an externship and an internship is that an externship provides university credits, while an internship usually offers a salary. The first three steps of the process are the same for both, but unlike an externship, an internship does not require university registration since it does not offer academic benefits. So, which option do you prefer?
P.P.S. To avoid any confusion, I also want to add that F-1 students are not permitted to work/intern/extern off-campus without approved optional practical training (OPT) or curricular practical training (CPT) work authorization.Â
How did a moot court competition turn into her job offer at BigLaw?
Paloma initially aspired to become diplomat when she began law school. Fluent in Spanish and English and having been raised in Argentina and Spain, she has a keen interest in international affairs. It was not until she started her LLM at Georgetown that she begun to explore a career in international arbitration. Paloma was a member of the team that represented Gerogetown at the 2018 LLM Commercial & Investment Arbitration Moot Competition. One of the coaches happened to be a lawyer at Jones Day. Paloma stayed in touch with her moot court coach after the competition. When a position became available at Jones Day, Paloma applied and ultimately received the job offer.
What was the job application process for Paloma?
How did she get into BigLaw right after receiving her LLM?
What’s her insight on getting a summer internship position at the World Bank?
